Felder History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Israel

Etymology of Felder

What does the name Felder mean?

The German surname Felder emerged in the lands that formed the powerful German state of Prussia, which at one time was an immense German territory that stretched from France and the Low Countries to the Baltic sea and Poland. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the German territories were inhabited by a variety of Barbarian tribes. The borders of the barbarian kingdoms changed frequently, but the region that became known as Prussia was roughly divided between the areas of Brandenburg-Prussia, West Prussia, and East Prussia. Brandenburg-Prussia was essentially the birthplace of modern Germany. By the 19th century, Brandenburg-Prussia had incorporated East Prussia, West Prussia and many other German territories. Moreover, in the late 19th century, it led the German states in the unification of Germany.

Early Origins of the Felder family

The surname Felder was first found in East and West Prussia, where the name contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation which would later play a large role in the tribal and national conflicts of the area. In later years the name branched into many houses, each playing a significant role in the local social and political affairs.

Early History of the Felder family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Felder research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1698, 1839 and 1869 are included under the topic Early Felder History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Felder Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Felder include Feld, Felde, Fellde, Felder, Fellder, Felden and others.

Early Notables of the Felder family

Notable figures of the time with the name Felder were

Franz Felder (1839-1869), who was a self-taught Austrian author of humble peasant stock

Felder Ranking

In the United States, the name Felder is the 2,103^rd most popular surname with an estimated 14,922 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Felder is ranked the 8,846^th most popular surname with an estimated 500 - 1,000 people with that name. 2

Felder migration to the United States +

Much of German history has been shaped by the state of Prussia. It was an enduring military power until after the Second World War. At that time, the state was abolished altogether and its land divided between the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany. While some Prussians were content to remain in those countries, others moved away, many of them migrating to North America. They entered the United States mostly through Philadelphia, moving on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Others went to Canada, settling on the prairies and in the province of Ontario. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were:

Felder Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Albrecht Michael Felder, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1752

Felder Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Arnold Felder, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1806
Arnold Felder, who arrived in Philadelphia Pennsylvania in 1806 3
Carl Felder, who settled in Texas in 1836
Gustav Felder, who settled in Texas in 1850
Henry Felder, who arrived in Somerset County, Pennsylvania in 1854 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Felder migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Felder Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Carolina Felder, who landed in Quebec in 1850

Contemporary Notables of the name Felder (post 1700) +

Jack Felder (1939-2017), American biochemist, research, lecturer, activist and germ warfare specialist
Wilton Lewis Felder (1940-2015), American saxophone and bass player, best known as a founding member of The Jazz Crusaders, later known as The Crusaders
Richard Felder (b. 1939), American engineering educator, Hoechst Celanese Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State University
Mike Felder (b. 1961), American Major League Baseball player
John Myers Felder (1782-1851), American politician and congressman
Don Felder (b. 1947), American rock musician, best known as the lead guitarist for the Eagles
Clarence Felder (b. 1938), American film and television character actor
Amanda Felder Derkacs, American triathlete
Robert C. Felder (b. 1942), American politician, U.S. Ambassador to Benin, 1998 4
Pat A. Felder, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Florida, 2000 4
... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html