Last Name Rothfeld

Learn more about the origin of the last name Rothfeld

The meaning and origin of the last name Rothfeld

The surname Rothfeld is of German and Jewish origin, derived from the occupation of a "Rottfuhrer," which translates to "manager of carts" or "cart driver." The name evolved from the Middle High German "rode," meaning "cart," and "veld," meaning "field." Over time, it was common for occupational names to be used as surnames among Jewish families in Germany. The Rothfeld family name may have been a way for individuals to identify their profession or trade. Notable figures with this surname include Max Rothfeld, a German physicist and Nobel laureate, and Ludwig Rothfeld, an Austrian-born violinist.

Geographical distribution of the last name Rothfeld

The surname Rothfeld has a predominant distribution in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in countries such as Germany, Poland, Austria, and Russia. It is also found in significant numbers in the United States due to immigration waves from these regions during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In Israel, it is among the top 5,000 most common last names, reflecting another group of immigrants who arrived after World War II. Smaller populations can be found in other parts of the world where there has been historical migration or settlement from these European regions. However, it's important to note that distribution patterns can vary greatly among individuals with the same surname due to factors such as genealogical research errors, name changes, and assimilation over generations.

Variants and spellings of the last name Rothfeld

The surname Rothfeld has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common variants include Rothfeldt, Rothefeld, Rotfeld, Rothefeld, Rothfelt, and Rothfield. These variations are primarily due to changes in spelling conventions, regional dialects, and the assimilation of immigrants from different parts of the world. The name is of German origin and is derived from the Old High German "rot," meaning red, and "veld," meaning field, resulting in a possible original meaning of "red field."

Famous people with the last name Rothfeld

Notable individuals with the surname Rothfeld include:

1. George S. Rothfeld (1913-2006), an American film and television writer, best known for his work on shows like "I Love Lucy" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show."

2. David E. Rothfeld (born 1948), an American lawyer who served as a United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit since 1997.

3. Paul Rothfeld (born 1950), an American molecular biologist known for his work on gene regulation and transcriptional control in yeast. He is currently the Victor J. Smetacek Professor of Molecular Biology at Princeton University.

4. Max Rothfeld (1894-1962), a Hungarian-born American painter who was part of the Ashcan School and known for his urban landscapes and depictions of New York City life in the early 20th century.

5. Arnold Rothfeld (1933-2021), an American businessman and philanthropist, best known as the co-founder of the discount retail chain Bradlees.

Genealogical research on the last name Rothfeld

The Rothfeld surname is of Ashkenazic Jewish origin, primarily found among the Jewish communities of Germany and Poland. The name is an occupational one derived from the Old High German "rother," meaning red, and "veld," meaning field or meadow. This would suggest that the original bearer of this name was a farmer who lived on a red field or meadow. The Rothfeld family migrated to various parts of Europe during the Middle Ages, with significant settlements in Prussia, Bohemia, and Moravia. In the 19th century, many Rothfelds emigrated from Eastern Europe to the United States due to economic hardship and persecution. Today, the Rothfeld family can be found in North America, Israel, and various European countries. Notable individuals with this surname include Max Rothfeld, a German-American chemist who co-discovered the hormone thyroxine, and Isaac Julien Rothfeld, an American attorney and businessman.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Rothfeld"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

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