Surname Büffel - Meaning and Origin
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Büffel: What does the surname Büffel mean?
The last name Büffel is an originated from a German nickname for someone who was either fierce or resembled a buffalo. It derives from the German word “buffel” which means buffalo. The buffalo was a powerful, strong-willed and often daunting creature -- an apt description for a person of the same name.
Buffalo have been symbols of strength and power for centuries. In ancient Egypt, the tattooing of a buffalo on the body was thought to ensure strength in battle, while Greeks would sacrifice them to their gods in order to gain strength in difficult times. In Africa, the buffalo was an extremely important animal to the survival of many cultures, and was believed to be the bringer of great luck.
The militarism of the Prussian people was legendary, and the symbol of the buffalo has a long standing in the culture as a sign of intense strength and courage. These traits were attributed to anyone in possession of the nickname Büffel, and it has remained a popular surname in Germany ever since.
Today, anyone with the last name of Büffel is likely to be a proud, strong-willed individual who takes on life’s challenges with courage and determination.
Order DNA origin analysisBüffel: Where does the name Büffel come from?
The surname Büffel is common in both German-speaking countries, particularly Germany and Switzerland, but it is also found in other areas of Europe such as Austria, Hungary, and the Netherlands. The name is also found in the United States and Canada, where it might have been adopted by emigrants from German-speaking countries. The last name is derived from the German word "Buffel" which means "buffalo".
In Germany, the name is particularly concentrated in the regions of North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, Lower Saxony and Berlin. In Switzerland, it is most commonly found in the canton of Zurich. In Austria, Büffel is widespread in the provinces of Upper Austria and Lower Austria.
In North America, the surname can be found among German-Americans, especially those from Pennsylvania and New York, as well as among settlers from the Swiss canton of Aargau. It is also present in Canada, mostly in Ontario and British Columbia, where it might have been brought by German and Swiss immigrants.
Sources suggest that the name Büffel might have been used in the Middle Ages to refer to someone who either owned or worked with a buffaloes, or who lived in an area where such animals were found. Others believe it might have been given as a nickname to someone who was famous for his courage and strength, or who looked like the animal.
Variations of the surname Büffel
The surname Büffel is of German origin and has multiple variants and spellings, with some also serving as alternate surnames. Büffel and Bueffel are the most common spellings. The variants of these are Beuffel, Beul, Buehl, Beffel and Büffele.
Bueffert, Buettner, Science, Biffel, Biffeler and Bieffel have all been known to be variations of Büffel. Some common alternate surnames with similar origins are Biffelmann and Biffer, as well as Buefler, Bufla, and Bueffler.
Most variants, spellings and alternate surnames of Büffel can likely be traced back to a geographical area in Europe such as Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and Austria. They could also have other sources such as being transferred from one language to another, such as Germanic or Nordic.
Lastly, some alternate spellings of Büffel could be the result of phonetical transitions or dialectal differences. For example, when spelling Büffel with a sharp s, Sch, the dialectal equivalent for Büffel is Bisch.
Thus, the surname Büffel has a number of variants and alternate spellings that can be used to trace its root of origin to various parts of Europe.
Famous people with the name Büffel
- Johannes Büffel, German musician
- Frank Büffel, German cabaret artist
- Jürgen Büffel, German soccer player
- Wolfgang Büffel, German politican
- Thomas Büffel, German judoka
- Lutz Büffel, German theologian
- Sarah Büffel, German actress
- Mark Büffel, Dutch musician
- Jalil Büffel, German rapper
- Richard Büffel, Austrian composer
- Willi Büffel, German actor
- Mathias Büffel, German actor
- Erwin Büffel, German author
- Gudrun Büffel, German singer
- Rudi Büffel, German sport shooter