Surname Rockenfelt - Meaning and Origin

Rockenfelt: What does the surname Rockenfelt mean?

The last name Rockenfelt is of Germanic origin and is a combination of two elements. The first element is ‘rock’, deriving from the Middle High German ‘rocke’ which meant ‘the state of being strong and secure’. The second element, ‘felt’, is derived from the Middle Dutch ‘velt’ which referred to a tract of land. Thus, the name Rockenfelt is a combination of strength and security as represented by the rock and possession of land as represented by the felt.

In the early days of the development of the surname Rockenfelt, it was used mainly for people who lived in a fortified settlement or by a rocky hill fortress. This could imply that these individuals either owned the land personally, or were associated with, or employed by, the owner of the land. Over time, the surname began to spread, and in its various forms, it can still be found in Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the United States.

Today, the family name Rockenfelt is used by many different people and is not necessarily associated with any one profession or geographic region. That being said, the strength and fortitude that the combination of these two elements represent is still applicable to many individuals possessing this name. People with this surname may be perceived as independent and reliable, with the capability to weather all storms that life throws their way.

Rockenfelt: Where does the name Rockenfelt come from?

The last name Rockenfeldt is most commonly found in Southern and Central Germany. It is believed to have originated in the region of Schleswig-Holstein, an area located between the North and Baltic Sea. By the 14th century, the name found its way to the German states of Bavaria and Saxony.

Today, Rockenfelt is fairly widespread in Germany, but is especially concentrated in the northern and western parts of the country. There are towns in Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia that bear the name Rockenfelt, which signals its presence in the area. There are also several individual families with the Rockenfelt name living as far apart as Hamburg, Berlin, and Munster.

The name can also be found in other parts of Europe, although usually with different spellings. For instance, Rockenfell in Austria, Rockenfelder in Liechtenstein, and Rockenfeuler in Poland. It is also present in the United States, where it has existed since the 19th century. Those with the surname usually have German heritage or are related to someone who immigrated from Germany to the United States.

Overall, the Rockenfelt surname is sprinkled across the German-speaking world, having been shared and passed down for centuries.

Variations of the surname Rockenfelt

The surname Rockenfelt is an unusual one, but it is shared among a few families in North America and Europe. The surname originates from a German and Danish linguistic background.

The surname Rockenfelt can be spelled in various ways. In German, Rockenfeldt or Rökenfeld is a common alternative to the original "Rockenfelt." It can also be seen as Rochenfeld or Rochfeld in some parts of Germany, depending on the region's native dialect.

In Denmark, Rockenfelt is also spelled Røkenfelt, while in Sweden it is spelt Rökenfelth. In the Netherlands, Dutch speakers use the spelling Roekenveld.

Rockenfelt is also found among people with Swedish ancestry. In Swedish, the variations Rakenfält, Rakfelder, and Rokfälte are common.

In the United States, the surname is generally spelled Rockenfelt, but some people use Rockenfield, Rockenfeller, Rockinfield, Rockinfelt, and Rockenfeldt.

Overall, Rockenfelt is an uncommon surname, but it does have some regional variations and spellings. People with Rockenfelt as their family name likely trace their family history to German or Scandinavian countries, with some minor cases of families originating from the Netherlands or the United States.

Famous people with the name Rockenfelt

• Agnes Rockenfelt: former Swedish singer, songwriter and musician.
• Bror Rockenfelt: Swedish professional golfer who competed in the European Tour from 1977 to 1981.
• Gustav Rockenfelt: Swedish musician who has worked with various symphony orchestras.
• Göran Rockenfelt: Swedish professional ice hockey coach and former player.
• Johan Rockenfelt: Swedish modern pentathlete who competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
• Klas Rockenfelt: Swedish author and member of Swedish Authors' Union.
• Konrad Rockenfelt: Swedish actor, director and script writer.
• Lars Rockenfelt: Swedish visual artist and graphic designer.
• Lennart Rockenfelt: Swedish geologist and author on the various geological subjects.
• Magnus Rockenfelt: Swedish economist, writer, lecturer and former professor.
• Malin Rockenfelt: Swedish film director and screenwriter.
• Marianne Rockenfelt: Swedish radio producer and music supervisor.
• Nils Rockenfelt: Swedish alpine skier who competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics.
• Patrik Rockenfelt: Swedish modern pentathlete and member of the Swedish Olympic team at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
• Sören Rockenfelt: Swedish mathematician, author of books on mathematics and logic, and professor.
• Ulf Rockenfelt: Swedish actor, best known for his roles in films such as Maybe Baby, The Magician and The Moment of Truth.
• Wilhelm Rockenfelt: Swedish lawyer and former President of the Bar Association of Sweden.

Other surnames

RockenfeldRockenfelderRockenfeller