NomOrigine Background

Last Name Feingold

What is the origin of the last name Feingold?

The surname "Feingold" is of Ashkenazic Jewish origin and is derived from the Middle High German words "vingart" or "vingartl," meaning "feather garden." It was a metonymic occupational name for someone who cultivated feathers, possibly for the use in quills for writing. Over time, it evolved into various spellings such as Feinberg, Feingold, and Vinkelman. This surname became common among Jews living in Germany, Austria, and Eastern Europe before their mass migration to other parts of the world, particularly North America and Israel, in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Feingold

Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my family history now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

Learn more about the origin of the last name Feingold

The meaning and origin of the last name Feingold

The surname Feingold is of German and Jewish origin. It is derived from the Yiddish word "feyn," which means fine or beautiful, and "golt," gold, indicating an original profession or occupation related to precious metals. Over time, this name has been adopted by many individuals of Jewish descent who may have migrated from Germany, Eastern Europe, or Russia. The surname Feingold is popular among Ashkenazi Jews, a group that originated in these regions. Notable figures bearing the surname include the American musician Harry Belafonte, who was born Harry Feingold, and the mathematician Richard Feynman.

Geographical distribution of the last name Feingold

The surname Feingold is primarily of Jewish origin and has its roots in Eastern Europe, particularly in Germany, Poland, and Russia. Over time, due to migration, it has spread globally with significant populations found in the United States, Israel, Canada, and South Africa. In the U.S., the highest concentrations are in states like New York, California, and Florida, due to historical Jewish immigration patterns from Eastern Europe. In Israel, Feingold is also prevalent, reflecting the large Jewish population there. The dispersal of this surname also reflects the broader migration of Jewish communities throughout history.

Variants and spellings of the last name Feingold

The surname Feingold has multiple variations and spellings, some of which include Fiengold, Fengold, Feingoldt, Feingoldt, Feinhold, Faynold, and Feynold. These variations may arise due to differences in transliteration from different languages, regional dialects, or individual preferences over time. However, the most common spelling remains Feingold.

Famous people with the last name Feingold

Russell D. Feingold, born in 1939, is a renowned American politician who served as a United States Senator from Wisconsin from 1991 to 2011. A Democrat, he was the first Jewish senator from the Midwest and is known for his commitment to government ethics and campaign finance reform. Feingold was one of twelve Senators to vote against authorizing the use of military force in Iraq in 2002, a decision that earned him respect among progressives. Prior to his Senate tenure, he served as Wisconsin's Attorney General from 1983 to 1989. Another notable figure with the last name Feingold is Howard Feingold, an American mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of combinatorics and graph theory. He was a professor at the University of South Carolina until his retirement in 2006.

Genealogical research on the last name Feingold

The Feingold surname is of Ashkenazic Jewish origin, derived from the Old High German "vingolt" meaning "feather clad," later corrupted into "Fenchel," Yiddish for fennel, which was used as a nickname. The name evolved over time to its current form, Feingold.

The Feingolds are believed to have originated from the Rhineland region of Germany in the Middle Ages, with some records tracing the family back to the 13th century. Due to persecution and economic hardship, many Feingolds migrated eastward during the High Middle Ages, settling predominantly in Poland and Lithuania.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, a significant number of Feingolds emigrated from Eastern Europe to escape pogroms and anti-Semitic violence, with many finding new homes in the United States and Canada. The name has since become widely distributed across the globe, reflecting the family's history of migration. Notable individuals with the surname include financier Charles Feingold and scientist Robert S. Feingold.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 23 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Feichter (Last name)

surnames > feichter

The surname Feichter is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "Viete," meaning "woodcutter." Over time, it evolved into "Feichtner" and eventually "Feichter" d...

Feick (Last name)

surnames > feick

The surname Feick is of German origin and it is derived from the Middle High German word "viez" which means "cow" or "ox." It may have originally been an occupational name for a he...

Feifei (Last name)

surnames > feifei

The last name Feifei is of Chinese origin. It is likely a transliteration or romanization of a Chinese character or characters, as Chinese names are often spelled differently in En...

Feigenbaum (Last name)

surnames > feigenbaum

The surname Feigenbaum is of Ashkenazic Jewish origin. It is derived from the Yiddish word "feygene," which means fig, and "baum," meaning tree, hence Fig Tree. In Hebrew, it could...

Feil (Last name)

surnames > feil

The origin of the surname Feil can be traced back to several European countries, with various possible origins depending on the specific region. In Germany, the name Feil is an oc...

Feiler (Last name)

surnames > feiler

The surname Feiler is of German and Ashkenazic Jewish origin. It derives from a nickname for someone who was skillful with metalworking or a smith, or it may have been given to som...

Feinblatt (Last name)

surnames > feinblatt

The surname Feinblatt is of German and Jewish origin. It translates to "fine leaf" in German. This surname was originally an occupational name for a gardener who cultivated plants ...

Feintuch (Last name)

surnames > feintuch

The surname "Feintuch" is of Jewish Ashkenazic (Germanic) origin. It is a variant of the German-Jewish surname "Finkenbach," which means 'finch brook.' Variations in spelling and t...

Feir (Last name)

surnames > feir

The last name "Feir" is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Old English word "fearr," meaning "bull," and was likely used as a nickname for someone who was strong or fierce....

Feiso abdela (Last name)

surnames > feiso-abdela

The last name Abdela is of Ethiopian origin. It is a common surname among the Oromo people in Ethiopia.

Feiteiro (Last name)

surnames > feiteiro

The last name Feiteiro is of Portuguese origin. It is derived from the word "Feira" which means "market" in Portuguese. The name likely originated as an occupational surname for so...

Feito (Last name)

surnames > feito

The surname "Feito" is of Portuguese origin. It comes from the Latin word "factum," which means "done" or "made." In Portugal, this name was given to people who had achieved someth...

Feivuo (Last name)

surnames > feivuo

The last name "Feivuo" is of Finnish origin. It is derived from the Finnish word "feivuo," which means "fir tree." Surnames in Finland often originate from nature, occupation, or p...

Feix (Last name)

surnames > feix

The surname Feix is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "vehs" or "vehes," meaning 'wisp' or 'shaft,' and was likely used as a nickname for someone who...

Feix-dos-reis (Last name)

surnames > feix-dos-reis

The last name Feix dos Reis is of Portuguese origin. It is a combination of the surnames Feix and dos Reis, indicating a family connection between two different lines of the Reis f...