Surname Barfüßer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Barfüßer: What does the surname Barfüßer mean?
The last name Barfüßer is a German surname meaning "barefooter" or "barefoot man". It is believed to have originated in the early Middle Ages, when a barefooter was a person who practiced walking without shoes. This was done as a sign of religious commitment in some Christian sects, including the Franciscans and the Waldensians.
The oldest known record of the surname is from 1579. It was given to someone named Mathys Barfüßer from Königsberg, Germany. At that time, most people did not wear shoes, and a Barefooter would have been relatively rare, making it likely a nickname referring to their habit of going barefoot.
The Barfüßer surname was also used as a nickname for poorer German immigrants traveling to the United States in the 19th century. The immigrants would often go from town to town without money and wearing only rags for clothes, earning the nickname "Barfüsser" for their habit of walking barefoot.
The surname was adopted by many German-American families, who carried it with them to other places like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It was also adopted by Jewish immigrants to the United States in the 20th century.
In modern times, the Barfüßer surname is still used in Germany and other parts of the world with German-speaking populations. It has also been used to name businesses and families adopted names for children.
Order DNA origin analysisBarfüßer: Where does the name Barfüßer come from?
The last name Barfüßer is most typically found in Germany and Switzerland. Barfüßer is derived from the German word for “bare footer.” It is believed to have originated in pre-medieval times when people walked barefoot, rather than in shoes, as a sign of humility or poverty. This name is particularly common in southern Germany, especially in the regions of Baden, Württemberg, and Bavaria, as well as in Austria and Switzerland. It can also be found in areas of the United States with heavy German-American populations, such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
The Barfüßer surname is often represented in the United States using its Anglicized form, "Barefooter." Though it is most commonly found in Germany, its presence is growing in the United States. This is likely due in large part to the recent surge in immigration from German-speaking countries, and it is likely that its presence in the United States will continue to grow.
In Germany, the surname is believed to have first emerged in the Middle Ages, when it was used as a status symbol to differentiate between the relatively wealthy who could afford to wear shoes and the poorer people who could not. As the Industrial Revolution occurred, however, more people had access to shoes, and the Barfüßer surname was no longer exclusively associated with poverty. The name is now primarily used as a surname and cultural reference, rather than a distinction of status or wealth.
Variations of the surname Barfüßer
The German surname Barfüsser derives from the Old High German word "barfuss", meaning "barefooted". The surname has two main variants, Barfusser and Barfuesser. It also has a few rare variants, such as Barfüszer, Bareffser, Barefszer, and Barfueser.
The name also appears in other languages. In Dutch, the name is spelled Barevoet, in Slovene it is Barfus, and in Czech it is Barevus. The surname is also present in other European countries like Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
Although there are many variants of the surname, all of them are derived from the same root, meaning "barefooted". Surnames that are related to the original Barfüsser surname include Barefoot, Barefsky, Barefooter, Barfuss, Barefusser, and Barfuccio.
The surname Barfüsser is usually associated with a profession or societal rank. Historically, it was used by people who held a high position in society, such as ministers or priests. It was also used by shoemakers, as the name suggests.
In modern times, the Barfüsser surname can be found among many different ethnicities, particularly in German-speaking countries. The Barfüsser surname is still common in places like Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, and the United States.
Famous people with the name Barfüßer
- Kaspar Barfüßer (born 1530): German theologian in Württemberg, known for being an Anabaptist advocate.
- Hans Barfüßer (1490-1563): Bavarian historian, scholar, and priest.
- Christoph Barfüßer (1574-1641): Famous German Baroque composer and organist from Youtube.
- Jakob Barfüßer (1787-1837): Swiss lawyer and publicist, known for being a liberticidal and nationalist thinker.
- Uriel Barfüßer (1544-1619): German theologian who wrote extensively on original sin.
- Matthias Barfüßer (1717-1790): German court musician and composer of liturgical music.
- Johann Barfüßer (1567-1641): Charismatic priest and bishop in Germany, who was instrumental in reviving Catholic faith and reform across Europe.
- Joseph Barfüßer (1720-1798): Bavarian composer, known for his sacred cantatas and oratorios.
- Carl Barfüßer (1744-1822): Swiss theologian and professor at Jena and Erlangen Universities, known for his works on brandy and spirit production.
- Valentin Barfüßer (1690-1768): German painter and art teacher, best known for his portraits of Protestant pastors from the Mainz area.