Surname Alff - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'A'
Alff: What does the surname Alff mean?
The last name Alff is of German origin but its exact meaning is not clear. Like many surncludes likely comes from a traditional occupation, geographic location, or a characteristic. Alff could be a variant of Alf, stemming from the Old German personal name Alfher or the Old Norse name Álfr, both meaning "elf". In ancient and medieval Germanic mythology, elves were seen as bringers of light, prosperity, and good fortune, and were often associated with supernatural wisdom. On the other hand, Alff could also be derived from the old High German word "alb" or "elf", referring to a supernatural being in Germanic mythology. Some sources suggest that it could relate to the Latin word "Albus", meaning white or bright, possibly used to describe someone with fair hair or complexion. It's also possible that Alff is topographic or locational, reflecting a link to a place such as the village of Alflen in Germany. However, without definitive etymological evidence, all these interpretations are speculative.
Order DNA origin analysisAlff: Where does the name Alff come from?
The surname Alff is generally associated with German origins, but can also be found throughout Europe. Today, the name is most commonly found in regions of Germany, France, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in other parts of Europe, such as the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.
In Germany, the name is particularly popular in the Rhineland region, especially in the city of Cologne and its vicinity. In France, areas such as the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region and Lorraine are especially known for having a high number of Alff families. In Austria, the name is more commonly found in Styria and other parts of Austria, while in Switzerland, the surname is more prevalent in the eastern region.
In North America, Alff is also recognized as a family name. The first Alff to arrive in the United States was in 1710, and by the 1800s the name had spread to states such as Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and New Jersey. The name has also been found in Canada's Quebec region and to a lesser extent, parts of the Midwest and South.
Overall, Alff is still well-recognized as a family name within regions of Europe and North America, especially in Germany, France, Austria, and the United States.
Variations of the surname Alff
The surname Alff is a name of German origin, which can take various forms depending on how it is spelled. While the most common spelling of Alff is a double ff, there is also alternate spelling of the name which include: Alv, Alffe, Alfe, Alffi, Alfie, Alfy, Alffy and Alve.
The surname Alff can also appear as other surnames, spelled slightly differently but still having the same root origin. These surnames can include Alfs, Alfsen, Alfson, Alvison, Alfreson, Alfresson, Alveson, Alvarsson, Alvarsson, Alvey, Alvey, Alvheim, Alvsvard, Alvnes, Alvheim, Alvald, Alv, Alv, Alvold and in some cases Alford.
Many of these different spelling and surnames developed in different countries during the 19th century. The spread of German families crossing borders and emigrating around the world also led to the creation of new variations of the surname.
The name Alff has endured in modern times, with many people of Germanic origin carrying the name. From Germany to Scandinavia and across Europe, Alff is a widely used surname and one held by many people in the current day.
Famous people with the name Alff
- Jared Alff: a singer and actor best known for his role in the TV series Barney and Friends
- Jesse Alff: a professional ice hockey player for the Minnesota Wild
- Dana Alff: a German actress
- Aaron Alff: a professional soccer player
- Lisa Alff: a German singer
- Paul Alff: a German film director and screenwriter
- Barbara Alff: a German actress
- Jens Alff: a professional soccer player
- Jan-Peter Alff: a German actor and director
- Peter Alff: a German jazz and rock musician