Surname Alfering - Meaning and Origin

Alfering: What does the surname Alfering mean?

The last name Alfering is of German origin and is believed to have its roots in the Old German words “Alaf” which means nobility and “Rang/er” which means warrior or hero, combined together forming the meaning of “noble warrior” or “heroic nobleman”. The surname is known to have been in usage in Germany since at least the medieval times and is recorded among a number of prominent German families.

The origin of the Alfering name is found in the regions of Rhineland-Palatinate and the Lower Rhine. This location was originally part of the medieval Duchy of Berg and shares its border with the Netherlands, France and other Germanic regions. This region was an important center of trade and commerce and the Alfering family was one of the most prominent families in trade and governance in the Middle Ages.

As one of the earliest recorded surnames in Germany, the Alfering family symbolized noted and respected positions in society and were frequently conferred with honorary proceedings and accolades in the region. It is believed the family further spread across Germany as a result of this kind of recognition and the family can be found among a number of places in Europe today.

The Alfering name stands for an esteemed lineage of families in Germany, the memory of which still lives on even today. It is a testament to the character of the people from this place who have left an indelible mark in the history books.

Alfering: Where does the name Alfering come from?

The last name Alfering is most commonly found today in Northeastern Germany, although it does have a presence in a few other countries as well. The name originated in the area of Bremen, Germany and it was a very common name in the 19th century when the area was part of Prussia. This is likely for the reason that it was a popular Germanic name in that region.

The widespread use of the last name Alfering began to decline after World War Two. It is likely that as people moved around throughout Europe, the name moved as well, spread to different parts of the continent, however, it did not retain the popularity that it once had.

Currently, in Germany, it appears that the name Alfering is most concentrated in Schleswig Holstein, in the north east region, which is just south of the Danish border. Additionally, the name can be found in large concentrations in the Netherlands and in other parts of Europe, including some parts of the United States and Canada. Australia and New Zealand also have small numbers of people with the last name. It is likely that Alfering is a much less common name elsewhere around the world due to the diaspora of Germans during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Variations of the surname Alfering

The surname Alfering has its origins in Germany, and is believed to have been formed from the given name Alfred, itself derived from the Anglo-Saxon elements Aelfraed, which means “elf counsel”.

Variants of this surname can include Alvering, Eltering, Eltering and Alffering. In addition to this, alternate spellings of the surname include Alfreding, Allfering, Allfarring, Alffering, Aalffering, Allering, Oehlfering and Uhlfering.

Due to the many spellings and variants of the same origin, it can be very difficult to trace the exact history of the name Alfering. However, some records show the surname can be traced back to the Germanic tribe, the Saxons, who settled parts of modern-day Britain in the 5th century. The surname is believed to have initially referred to the leader of a family or tribe who was trusted to bring wisdom and fair judgment.

The surname is also present within the Scandinavian countries. Notable bearers of saxon in Norway were Ludvig Alfering (1818–90), a Norwegian judge who served as a parliamentarian, and Christen J. Alfering (1867–1961), a Norwegian schoolteacher, noted as an active member of the local church.

The surname can also be found among those who emigrated to the United States in the 19th century, for example within the branches of the Serfass and Langenbach families in Pennsylvania. In the US, this surname has been anglicized as Alpha, and other Americanized forms of the name such as Aufring and Ufering.

In recent times, the surname has slowly spread across much of Western Europe to other countries such as Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands, among others.

Overall, there are numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Alfering. Due to the many spellings, it can often be difficult to trace the exact origin and history of the name, however, research in the many records can help to uncover the more detailed origins of the surname.

Famous people with the name Alfering

• Maximilian Alfering: former professional footballer in Germany, currently works as an analyst for Sky Sports.
• Jan-Niklas Alfering: multiple award-winning television director in Germany.
• Ludger Alfering: award-winning game designer and developer in the Netherlands.
• Julian Alfering: professional basketball player from Germany.
• Mohamed Alfering: Olympic silver medalist in judo from Germany.
• Joachim Alfering: former professional volleyball player who currently coaches teams in Germany.
• Carlientje Alfering: Dutch experimental opera and stage director.
• Florian Alfering: German swimmer and diver.
• Marielle Alfering: Dutch composer and musician.
• Lotte Alfering: Dutch artist and sculptor who specializes in installation artwork.

Other surnames

Alferink