NameCensus.

UK surname

Feld

A German topographic surname indicating someone who lived by or worked on a field or meadow.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Feld surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 128, ranked #26,401, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Barnet, Brent and Hackney.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Feld is 136 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6300.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

128

2016, ranked #26,401

Peak year

2011

136 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Feld had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 128 in 2016, ranked #26,401.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 36 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Feld surname distribution map

The map shows where the Feld surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Feld surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Feld over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 5 #32,456
1861 historical 22 #31,140
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 36 #31,465
1901 historical 20 #31,803
1911 historical 20 #31,288
1997 modern 123 #23,792
1998 modern 116 #25,332
1999 modern 112 #26,044
2000 modern 105 #27,001
2001 modern 102 #27,093
2002 modern 109 #26,552
2003 modern 105 #26,940
2004 modern 109 #26,607
2005 modern 113 #25,974
2006 modern 114 #26,120
2007 modern 122 #25,353
2008 modern 120 #25,922
2009 modern 118 #26,766
2010 modern 129 #25,900
2011 modern 136 #24,819
2012 modern 133 #25,187
2013 modern 134 #25,525
2014 modern 133 #25,851
2015 modern 132 #25,859
2016 modern 128 #26,401

Geography

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Where Felds are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Barnet, Brent, Hackney and Haringey. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Barnet 037 Barnet
2 Barnet 034 Barnet
3 Brent 023 Brent
4 Hackney 001 Hackney
5 Haringey 029 Haringey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Feld

These lists show first names that appear often with the Feld surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Feld

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Feld, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Feld surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Feld household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Feld is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Feld is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Feld falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Feld is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

7
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Feld, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Feld

The surname FELD is of Germanic origin and can be traced back to medieval times. It is derived from the Old German word "feldt" or "feld," which means "field" or "open land." This name was likely given to someone who lived near or worked on a field or open area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname FELD can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus, a collection of medieval documents from the 8th to the 13th century. In this record, a person named Cuonradus de Felde is mentioned, suggesting that the name was already in use by the 12th century.

The FELD surname is also found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and valuations in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This record mentions individuals with the surname FELD living in various counties, indicating that the name had spread across different regions by the late 11th century.

In the 13th century, a German knight named Ritter von Feld was recorded as taking part in the Crusades. Another notable figure was Johannes Feld, a prominent theologian and philosopher who lived in the 14th century and taught at the University of Heidelberg.

During the Renaissance period, the FELD surname was associated with several artists and scholars. One such individual was the German painter Hans Feld (c. 1480-1542), known for his religious works and portraits. Another was the Swiss mathematician and astronomer Johann Feld (1565-1631), who made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics.

In the 18th century, Johann Michael Feld (1721-1788) was a renowned German composer and organist. His works were highly regarded and influenced the development of classical music during that era.

The FELD surname has also been found in various place names throughout Europe, such as Feldkirch in Austria and Feldberg in Germany. These place names often derived from the same root word, indicating the presence of fields or open areas in those locations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Feld families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Feld surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Cambridgeshire leads with 1 Felds recorded in 1881 and an index of 81.97x.

County Total Index
Cambridgeshire 1 81.97x
Glamorgan 1 29.76x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cardiff St Mary in Glamorgan leads with 1 Felds recorded in 1881 and an index of 555.56x.

Place Total Index
Cardiff St Mary 1 555.56x
St Andrewthe Less 1 714.29x

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Feld surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Charles 1
Thomas 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Feld households.

Occupation Count
AB Seaman 1
Ironmonger Asst. 1

FAQ

Feld surname: questions and answers

How common was the Feld surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Feld surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Feld surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 128 in 2016. That gives Feld a modern rank of #26,401.

What does the Feld surname mean?

A German topographic surname indicating someone who lived by or worked on a field or meadow.

What does the Feld map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Feld bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.