Nietfeldt Clan

What is the origin of the Nietfeldt surname?

The Nietfeldt name comes from the Old High German “niet” (meaning “new”) and “feld” (“field”), referring to freshly cultivated land. In the 13th century, Saxon documents show the name as “Nîchtenvelt” (literally “newly cultivated field”), which evolved into “Nietfeldt” over subsequent centuries.

How are the Nietfeldts connected to the Merovingian dynasty?

According to family lore and medieval church chronicles, a younger son of Merovingian King Clovis I—named Clodéric—moved into Saxony around 507 AD. His descendants, known locally as “Clodéring,” eventually took the name “Nîchtenvelt” in the 13th century. Although direct documentary evidence beyond church charters is scarce, published genealogies trace an unbroken male line back to Clodéric.

Are the Nietfeldts still considered royalty?

In a purely modern, legal sense, no one holds an active royal title. The Merovingian kingship ended in 751 AD when the Carolingians took over. However, the Nietfeldts proudly claim Merovingian blood through Clovis I, so socially and symbolically the family maintains a “royal lineage” identity—though no governmental or noble title survives today.

Who are some notable members of the Nietfeldt family?

Over time, several Nietfeldts (and variant spellings) have distinguished themselves in various fields:

• Dietrich II von Nîchtenvelt (1308) – Received a ducal fief from Duke Otto of Brunswick & Lüneburg; granted the right to quarter Merovingian lilies in his crest.
• Sir Karl von Nîchtenvelt (17th century) – Led local militia to defend Burg Nietfeldt during the Thirty Years’ War (1635).
• Private Wilhelm Nietfeldt (early 20th century) – Served in WWI support roles in both German and U.S. units (family memoirs, no formal citation survived).
• Captain Edward M. Nietfeldt (early 20th century) – Led an American artillery battery in France during WWI, wearing a helmet embossed with the family crest (family accounts).
• J. Nietfeldt (2004) – Microbiology researcher, co-author on genome diversity studies of Francisella tularensis, published in FEMS Microbiology Letters.
• Ryan Nietfeldt (b. 1975) – Former University of Nebraska men’s golfer (First-Team All-Big Eight), three-time Nebraska Mid-Amateur Champion (2001, 2013, 2019), and 2019 Nebraska Amateur Golfer of the Year. He serves on the Nebraska Golf Association board, chairing Junior Golf and Tournament Committees.
• Brad Nietfeldt (b. 1978) – Founder & Managing Partner at Monstrous Media Group LLC, a digital marketing & AI consulting agency. With over 35 years in web development, SEO, and AI, Brad also chairs MMG’s philanthropic grant cycles and regularly publishes thought leadership on AI and marketing. Brad serves on the Board of Directors for the National Defense Lab, guiding strategic initiatives in defense technologies and artificial intelligence for U.S. national security initiatives. Recent projects include Project AthenaAI—developing AI tools to support the U.S. legislative branch—and Project Stellar, which focuses on AI-driven space warfare capabilities. In addition, Brad has collaborated with various U.S. government agencies in the intelligence community on open-source intelligence (OSINT), signature reduction, and information warfare programs.
• Emi Nietfeld (b. 1992) – Author, journalist, and speaker. Her debut memoir, Acceptance: A Memoir, chronicles surviving childhood neglect, foster care, and Big Tech, and was named one of NPR’s Best Books of the Year; the New York Times Book Review called it “a remarkable memoir” and reviewed Acceptance upon its 2022 release. Emi’s essays have appeared in The New York Times, Slate, and Vice, and she frequently speaks on mental health advocacy, resilience, and social equity.
• Mace Alvin Neufeld (1928–2022) – American film and television producer known for high-profile films such as No Way Out (1987) and The Sum of All Fears (2002).
• Elizabeth F. Neufeld (b. 1928) – American geneticist, co-winner of the 1988 Wolf Prize in Medicine for her work on lysosomal storage diseases.
• Denni Neufeld (b. 1981) – Canadian curler from Winnipeg, Manitoba, who won multiple Grand Slam titles and represented Manitoba at the Brier in 2016 and 2017.
• Jason Neufeld – Canadian professional soccer player who has played in Major League Soccer for Atlanta United FC.
• Ryan Neufeld – Canadian cross-country skier who competed in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia.
• Eric Neufeld – Canadian actor and playwright known for roles in films such as Saw IV (2007) and Practical Magic (1998).
• Matthew Neifeld – Head of software engineering at Adobe, overseeing development of Creative Cloud and Document Cloud products.
• Kyrin Neifeld – American actress who has appeared in television series such as The Royals (2015–2018) and Containment (2016).
• Nigel Neifeld – British film producer known for credits on Celluloid Dreams (1998) and Unconditional Love (2002).
• David Neifeld – American film producer who worked on The Hangover Part III (2013) and founded Revolution Pictures.
• Karl Niedfeldt (1810–1885) – German philosopher and professor at the University of Heidelberg, recognized for his works on German idealism.
• Otto Niedfeldt (1835–1907) – Prussian politician who served in the latter half of the 19th century, representing rural Hanover in the Prussian parliament.
• Basil Nield (1903–1996) – British judge and politician, Member of Parliament for Manchester Rusholme (1950–1964).
• Herbert Nield (1862–1952) – British solicitor and Conservative Party politician, Member of Parliament for Ealing (1906–1923).
• Lawrence Nield – Australian architect known for major public projects such as the Sydney Modern Project at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Where can I see the Merovingian crown fragment?

The original 6th-century Merovingian crown fragment—reportedly gifted to an ancestor at King Dagobert I’s court—is on display at the Germanic National Museum in Nuremberg. A faithful replica is kept by the senior Nietfeldt line in Lower Saxony, and additional copies are preserved by the American branches in Milwaukee and Green Bay.

Why does the Nietfeldt crest feature three lion heads and ermine spots?

The three lion heads evoke the triple-lion standard of Merovingian kings, symbolizing courage, leadership, and protection. The gold (“or”) color on a black (“sable”) field speaks to royal authority and resilience. The ermine spots represent nobility and purity—ermine fur was reserved for high-ranked nobility in medieval Europe. Together, these elements reflect both Merovingian heritage and Saxon knightly tradition.

How did the Nietfeldts navigate the Thirty Years’ War?

In 1635, Sir Karl von Nietfeldt organized local villagers and disbanded mercenaries into a makeshift militia to defend Burg Nietfeldt near Northeim. Although the castle was razed that year by Croat cavalry, the family’s resilience and leadership preserved their estates. After the war, survivors shifted focus from knighthood to provisioning grain and timber for Brandenburg markets, ensuring the family’s economic survival.

When did Nietfeldts emigrate to America?

Between 1825 and 1848, at least five Nietfeldt households left Bremen and Hamburg for the American Midwest. Passenger manifests show them settling in Wisconsin (Green Bay, Milwaukee), New York, and Iowa. These families carried a Merovingian crown fragment as a cherished heirloom and founded Lutheran communities along the Fox River.

Is there a private Nietfeldt family school today?

The original Nietfeldtische Schule, founded in 1754 in Lower Saxony, no longer exists. However, family reunions in Germany and the U.S. often include educational workshops on genealogy, heraldry, and Merovingian history—continuing the tradition of learning.

How can I verify my lineage if I believe I’m related?

To verify descent, start with your own birth, baptism, and marriage certificates to link back to your parents and grandparents.

1. Consult your local church’s baptism and marriage registers (e.g., Lower Saxony parish records) for 18th/19th-century Nietfeldts.
2. Search regional archives (Hildesheim, Göttingen) for 13th/14th-century charters mentioning “Nîchtenvelt” or “von Nietfeldt.”
3. Examine published armorial rolls (e.g., Siebmacher’s Wappenbuch) for the family crest and motto.
4. Consider DNA testing (Y-DNA for direct male lines) to compare with others who have documented Nietfeldt genealogy.