Surname Barfuhs - Meaning and Origin
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Barfuhs: What does the surname Barfuhs mean?
The last name Barfuhs likely originated in Germany, but variants of the name exist in different countries across Europe. The root of this surname is believed to be either the Bavarian word “barfus”, meaning “strange” or “bizarre”, or the Old High German word “barfuss”, meaning “barefoot”.
The earliest record of the surname being used is from 1430 in Germany. During this time, the area where it was used had a strong presence in the salt industry. This likely led to the surname eventually signifying someone of low-status, since those involved in the industry were often not highly respected of the time.
Despite having a relatively long history in Germany, Barfuhs is not a very common surname today and is still primarily found in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Though there is not much in the way of modern records documenting the last name’s origin and evolution, it is known to be an uncommon, but not rare, name. The most common spelling variants across Europe are variations on “Barfuss”, including “Barfuhs”, “Barfs”, and “Barvoß”, but other, more rare spellings do exist.
Though the origin of the surname is shrouded in mystery, it is clear that the name Barfuhs has had a long presence in Germany and other European countries. Today, though uncommon, anyone bearing the last name is likely a part of a familial line that has been in place for hundreds of years.
Order DNA origin analysisBarfuhs: Where does the name Barfuhs come from?
The Barfuhs surname is most commonly associated with Germany and Dutch ancestry. It may be found in Germany, the Netherlands, the United States and Canada, as well as a few other countries.
In Germany, its occurrence is mainly in the western, lower Rhineland of France and Germany, as well as some areas of Northern Germany. In the Netherlands, its origin is mostly found in Friesland, a province in the north of the country.
In the United States, the Barfuhs surname has also been found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, and other states. In Canada, the surname is more commonly found in Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta.
There have been some other, much less common places where the Barfuhs name is recorded, including Australia, Sweden, and South Africa.
The origin of the Barfuhs name is thought to be Germanic, possibly links to the Old High German word for “barf”, or “barfer”. It also may have Dutch origins.
No matter where it can be found, the Barfuhs name is a reminder of its Germanic roots, and could be an indication of a family's long, interesting journey where they've been.
Variations of the surname Barfuhs
The surname Barfuhs is a German patronymic surname derived from the given name “Barf”, which is believed to be a variant of the German given name “Bernard”. Barfuhs is sometimes spelled as Barfuhrs, Barfuss, Barfusser, Barfuhrer, Barfusser, or Barfussers. Other variations of the surname include Barkfuser, Berffuhs, Parkfuser, and Parfuhs.
The surname Barfuhs is found primarily in Germany and other German-speaking countries such as Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein. It is also found in the United States, due to German immigrants who settled in the country in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The surname Barfuhs is a toponymic surname, meaning it was derived from a toponym (place name), which is believed to be the German region of Fuhr. Locational surnames were given to a person who had relocated to another area, and is derived from the name of the place they had moved to. The Barfuhs surname may have referred to someone who originally hailed from Fuhr.
The most common variations of the Barfuhs surname include Barkh user, Berffuhs, Parkfuser, and Parfuhs. The spelling variations can be attributed to phonetic spelling of the original name, or the influence of dialects, or because of immigration to different countries and languages.
The Barfuhs surname is found throughout the world, but is most predominant in Germany and other German-speaking countries. Its presence in the United States can be attributed to German immigrants who settled in America during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Famous people with the name Barfuhs
- Bernd Barfuhs, German footballer
- William Barfuss, American politician from Tennessee
- Ramona Barfoot, Australian actress
- Leonard Barfuss, American Red Cross worker and World War I ambulance driver
- Gordan Barfuss, Croatian architect
- Erika Barfuss, German stage and film actress
- Noel Barfuss, Canadian country music and rock singer
- Frans Barfuss, Dutch physicist
- Alexander Barfuss, Russian sailor and Olympic medal winner
- Wyman Barfuss, American basketball player
- Jürgen Barfuss, German art historian
- Domonique Barfuss, French fashion model
- Kevan Barfuss, American visual special effects supervisor
- Rudolf von Barfuss, Austrian entomologist
- Kai Barfuss, German entrepreneur
- Marcus Barfuss, German footballer
- John Barfuss, Australian scientist
- Robin Barfuss, American actor
- Barthel Barfuss, German painter
- Johan Barfuss, Swedish diplomat and Governor of Bohuslän