Surname Peifer - Meaning and Origin

Peifer: What does the surname Peifer mean?

The surname Peifer is of German origin and is derived from the words "porf" or "pferd" which translates to "horse" in English. This surname is often associated with the early horse-breeding industry of the region, thus signifying someone who was involved in some capacity with horses.

In the Middle Ages, horses played an important role in various aspects of life, from social rank and prestige to war and transportation. As such, horse-breeders were highly valued members of society and their work was thus recognized through the use of the surname Peifer.

The popularity of this surname spread throughout the German-speaking regions of Europe before eventually being adopted as an Americanized version by many of those who immigrated to the United States. The popularity of the Peifer surname has been linked to the high number of German settlers in Pennsylvania during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Today, the Peifer surname is found in various regions of the world, with the highest concentrations being in Germany, the United States, and Canada. It may also be associated with variations such as Beifer and Pfeifer. Overall, the surname Peifer is a testament to the tradition of horse-breeding practiced by various parts of Germanic culture for centuries.

Peifer: Where does the name Peifer come from?

The last name Peifer is a German surname from the Middle Ages. It is still common today in Germany, mainly in the southern parts of the country such as Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Rhineland-Palatinate. It is also found in Austria, Switzerland, and in countries of Central and Eastern Europe (such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary). Peifer is also found in parts of North America, mainly the United States and Canada, where it was brought over by German immigrants. The last name Peifer can also be seen in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

In the United States, it is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, with the highest concentration being in Reading and Allentown. The name is also found in Lancaster, York, Berks, and Lehigh counties. In Pennsylvania Dutch Country (Berks County), many of the families with the last name Peifer have been there since colonial times. In the United States, it is one of the top 8,000 last names, making it one of the more common German surnames in the country.

Research suggests that Peifer most likely originated in the Middle Ages and evolved from the Middle High German word Pfeifer, which means “piper”. As the name suggests, people surnamed Peifer were likely to have been musicians who played the bagpipes.

Variations of the surname Peifer

The surname Peifer has many variants and alternatives of spelling. It also has several other surnames that are derived from it. Peifer is an occupational surname and is believed to have originated from Germany. It derived from the German word "Pfeifer", which means "piper".

The most common variant is Piper. Pipar and Peiper are also common spellings in German. In the Netherlands, it is spelt as Peper. In Switzerland, it is sometimes spelt as Pfiefer. In Scotland, the Peifer spelling is also found.

Variants of the Peifer surname are Palffer, Pelfer, Pelfer, Pollfer, Pullfer, Pipeifer, Pipefer, Pifer, Pieffer, Piffer, Piffer, and Poffer. Also, Peiffer, Pyfer, Pyffer, Peiffer, Pfiffer, Feyfer, and Feiffer are also variations of the name. Various German and Swiss spellings are also derived from the surname.

Other surnames derived from Peifer include Teufel, Teufler, Teipel, Tebs, Teufker, Teubel, and Teuple. Thus, many different versions of the same surname exist in different local areas, with differences in the spelling.

Famous people with the name Peifer

• Elijah Peifer: Professional basketball player and two-time Paralympic champion.
• Tracey Peifer: American artist and political cartoonist.
• William Peifer: U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania.
• Mathis Peifer: German football player.
• Mario Peifer: German film director.
• Louis D. Peifer, Jr.: American Marine Corps officer.
• Peifer Brown: American professional football player.
• Steve Peifer: American professional ice hockey player.
• David Peifer: American technology executive.
• Jason Peifer: Canadian professional hockey player.
• Cedric Peifer: French record producer and multi-instrumentalist.
• Crystal Peifer: Founder and director of Crystal's Character Camps.
• Eliza Peifer T'06: American entrepreneur.
• Dr. Samuel Peifer: American medical physicist.
• Katelyn Peifer: American actress.
• Glenda Peifer: Australian singer and songwriter.
• Justus Peifer: German sculptor.
• Maggie Peifer: American interior designer.
• Jessica Peifer: American musician, painter, and actress.
• Rebecca Peifer: American award-winning illustrator and former elementary school teacher.

Other surnames

Peifers