Surname Feidel - Meaning and Origin

Feidel: What does the surname Feidel mean?

Feidel is an Ashkenazi Jewish surname, derived from the Hebrew phrase for “trustworthy” or “faithful” (feidil). It is believed to have originated in Germany, where many Jews living in the Middle Ages used the F-E-I-D-E-L variant of the name. It is also possible that some of the families had a variant of this name before their migration to Germany, as Feidel is a common Jewish surname in many countries of Eastern and Central Europe.

The Feidel family has contributed to many different areas including the arts, law, science, and business. Many Feidel family members have held prominent positions in their respective fields such as attorneys, authors, medical professionals, rabbis, musicians, and entrepreneurs. It is safe to say that Feidel surname carriers have displayed a reliability and faithfulness to the communities they have been part of.

Feidel is also a popular name in Israel where it is spelled as פיידל. It is one of the few Ashkenazi Jewish surnames that has crossed language barriers, with variants found in Yemenite Hebrew and Yiddish. It is also used among other nationalities in lieu of Hebrew words for “trustworthy” such as “veridical”, “faithful” and “reliable”.

The Feidel surname is a reminder of the faithful, loyal, and reliable people who have kept it alive throughout the centuries despite of all the hardships the Jewish people have faced. It implies both a strong sense of trust and faithfulness, traits to contain and to be proud of.

Feidel: Where does the name Feidel come from?

The last name Feidel is a Jewish, German surname and is still common in many parts of modern-day Germany, as well as areas of Austria and other Eastern European countries. The Feidel name originated in Austria and moved into Germany between the 16th and 18th centuries.

The Feidel surname is not exclusive to Germany. It can also be found in the United States, primarily in areas that were settled by German-speaking immigrants in the 19th century. Feidel is also common in Canada, England, Australia and other countries where German immigrants settled.

The meaning of Feidel is “peace maker” or “confidant,” which originates from “Felsen,” which is a German word that means “rock” or “cliff.” This likely reflects the professions of Jewish Feidel men in Germany who were known to be bankers, merchants or stewards.

Today, the Feidel name enjoys a prominent presence in many different countries and cultures. It is especially prominent among members of the Jewish community who trace their ancestry to Germany. Feidel remains a common last name in German-speaking regions of the world, particularly in Germany and Austria, where it is still widely used.

Variations of the surname Feidel

The surname Feidel is of Germanic origin and can have many variants, spellings, and/or surnames of the same origin. These include Fahdler, Fahdla, Fahdl, Faidl, Feydler, Feydla, Feidelman, Feidl, Feidel, Feidelman, Fydel, Feydel, Faidel, Feidelson, Fiedelman, Fiedel, Fiedelson, Fiedla, Fydelman, Fydelson, and Feithal.

Feidel is derived from the Germanic words feit, meaning "make" or "accept", and helm, meaning "helmet". This old German blend meant "someone who was willing to make or accept a helm or head protection during battle, or a type of agreement," indicating that it may have been a name given to someone who was known for fulfilling contracts or agreements.

Feidel is most commonly found among German-speaking populations in central and eastern Europe, as well as in the United States and Canada. It is also occasionally found in other countries, such as Russia, Austria, and the Czech Republic.

Sometimes, the Feidel surname is associated with the practice of fortune-telling, as in the traditional German tale of "The Fortune Teller of Feidel". However, this association is not always accurate, as many families with the surname have nothing to do with this profession.

Ultimately, the surname Feidel has many variants, spellings, and/or surnames of the same origin, each with its own history and meaning. Despite this, all these variations ultimately come from the same source and share a common root.

Famous people with the name Feidel

• Michael Feidel: American mathematician, author and professor at Lousiana State University.
• Avi Feidel: Israeli businessman and CEO of Intel Israel.
• Anatoly Feidel: Soviet-born author and software engineer.
• Robert Feidel: former President of the United States Ski and Snowboard Association.
• Marc Feidel: Computer scientist, engineer and founder and CEO of Google's mobile payment service Google Wallet.
• Ferenc Feidel: Hungarian cinematographer, director and producer.
• Martin Feidel: German diplomat and ambassador to the United States from 2016-2020.
• Barry Feidel: American radio personality who co-hosts the syndicated radio show "Feidel and Friends."
• Daniel Feidel: American entrepreneur, investor and founder of the consulting firm Feidel Ventures.
• Michaela Feidel: Austrian actress and writer, best known for her appearance in the film "Before Sunrise" (1995).

Other surnames

Feiden