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.
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.
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