Surname Deifel - Meaning and Origin
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Deifel: What does the surname Deifel mean?
The last name Deifel is of German origin. It is derived from the word “deifel”, which translates to “admiration” or “praise”, implying that the family was respected and esteemed. In many cases, it is likely that the name arose from the medieval custom of giving a nickname to a person who was admired for their qualities or contributions to society.
In other instances, the name Deifel could be derived from the medieval German terms of endearment “deifel” and “meitel”, meaning “dear friend” or “beloved one”, indicating that the person had a strong bond to someone close to them. There is also phonetic evidence that suggests that the original root word of the name was “teufel”, referring to the Devil.
The modern version of the name is Deifel, although it can also be spelled Diephl, Deißel, Deifl, Deitel, and other variations. One matter that often confuses people is that the German word “Deifel” as a surname is currently spelled in its modern version; however, it has spelling variants ranging in the 16th century alone from Diephel to Deifell.
The majority of Deifel family members still live in the German region, as that is where the name originated. Its rich history is still deeply cherished and valued by its current descendants, most of whom trace their Deifel roots back to the very birth of the family’s presence in the area.
Order DNA origin analysisDeifel: Where does the name Deifel come from?
The last name Deifel is most commonly found in Germany today, especially in the Rhineland Palatinate region, which is in the south-west part of the country. This area borders France and Belgium, and several of the towns where people with this surname live have a long history.
In the past, the Deifel surname was mainly found in the eastern and western parts of Germany. However, those who have the name in the modern day are most likely to trace their origins to the Rhineland Palatinate. Some of the largest cities near these locations include Mainz, Ludwigshafen, and Mannheim.
Deifel is derived from the old German language and means a “felon” or criminal. In many cases, this name was given to individuals that were considered to be habitual criminals. In modern times, Deifel is most likely to be a surname found among individuals living in Germany and other parts of Europe.
Additionally, those with the Deifel surname often have roots that go back centuries to this region of Germany, as is true for many German last names. Thus, the Deifel surname continues to be associated with this area today.
Variations of the surname Deifel
The surname Deifel originated in Germany in the early 17th century and is an occupational name deriving from the Middle High German word deifel, which means "pig farmer". The name has been spelled variously throughout its history, including Deifel, Deifeler, Deifell, Deifelman, Difel, Difell and Diefell.
The surname Deifel has also been found in Luxembourg, France, and the United States. Variants of this surname are Deiflor, Deifflor, Dieflor, Deufler, Deifolle, Deifolo, Deifols and Diefol. The variants are thought to have derived from variations on the pronunciation of the original name, or from people immigrating and changing their surname to make it more phonetically pleasing in their new country of residence.
Surnames of similar origin, which could be related to the Deifel name, are Diefenthal, Diefenthäler, Diewel, Deivel, Dievel, Diebelt, Diefel, Diebell, Diebels and Diefeld. Additionally, the Dane surname Difel has been found in Indiana, USA and could have been derived from the Deifel surname.
The Deifel family has also produced many notable members including physicist Erwin Deifel and politician Paul Deifel.
Famous people with the name Deifel
- Kraig Deifel: former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Emil Deifel: Austrian Olympic diver
- Franz Deifel: German painter, printmaker and photographer
- Sabine Deifel: German potter
- Felix Deifel: German author, composer, and theatre manager
- Christian Deifel: German musician
- Henry Deifel: American businessman and philanthropist
- Arnold Deifel: Austrian entrepreneur and philanthropist
- Marita Deifel: German dancer, choreographer, and actress
- Louis Deifel: Austrian mathematician, philosopher, and scientist