Hirschfeld

Hirschfeld is a German toponymic surname and place name. The name derives from the German elements hirsch (deer) and feld (field), typically describing someone who lived near or worked in a deer field or hunting grounds. As a surname it is widespread in German-speaking areas and among descendants in other countries. It is also used for various geographic locations in the German-speaking world.

Notable people with the surname include Magnus Hirschfeld (1868–1935), a German physician, sexologist, and advocate for homosexual and sexual minority rights, who founded the Institute for Sex Research in Berlin. Another is Albert Hirschfeld (1903–2003), an American caricaturist known for his Broadway-themed line drawings and signature half-length portraits.

There are several places named Hirschfeld in German-speaking regions, including municipalities and villages. The name appears in historical records and genealogical sources, reflecting its long-standing use as both a surname and a toponym.