Surname Peifers - Meaning and Origin

Peifers: What does the surname Peifers mean?

The last name Peifers (also spelled Piepers) is of Dutch origin. It is thought that the name derived from the Dutch word "pieper," which means "piper," and likely referred to a person who was a professional musician or pipe maker. It could also have been the nickname of someone who played the pipe instrument.

The name Peifers could also be derived from the German/Flemish word "peifer," meaning ‘one from the Piper’s guild'. Members of this guild were skilled artisans, working with clay and other materials to make wind instruments.

Peifers may also have been an occupational surname given to a person who was a bird pipemaker or flutemaker. This would have been an important job in medieval times, as the Dutch were renowned for their artistry when it came to crafting bird pipes and flutes.

Overall, the last name Peifers was probably a patronymic for someone who was related to a professional piper or pipe maker, or it could indicate that this individual was the son of a piper or flutemaker. In today’s world, the name Peifers is still used in various parts of Europe, the United States, and Canada.

Peifers: Where does the name Peifers come from?

The last name Peifers is common in parts of Europe, and is most commonly found today in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Austria. In Germany, the name is generally spelled "Piepho," while in the Netherlands it is often spelled "Peijffers." It is also common in Switzerland, especially in the canton of Bern, where it is spelled "Peiffer."

In the United States, Peifers is found mainly in Pennsylvania, where it is the name of German immigrants who came to this area sometime during the mid-1700s. Some of these same German immigrants also settled in Ohio, where the name is still found today. There are also some members of the Peifers family in Indiana and Illinois.

Peifers is also found in Canada, particularly in Ontario, where it is both a French and English name.

Though there are a few Peifers in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, the name is far less common in those countries than it is in continental Europe.

Overall, the name Peifers is most common in parts of Europe, particularly Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Austria. It is also found in the United States, particularly Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, and in Canada, particularly in Ontario.

Variations of the surname Peifers

The surname Peifers has a few different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin that share the same root. The most common alternatives for the surname include Peifer, Peiffer, Pifer, Piffer, and Puffer. Each of these spellings is a variation of the base surname, and each of them represents a slightly different version of the original name.

Thespelling Peifer or Peiffer can have German origin, derived from the name medieval personal name 'Piefer'. In Germany, variations of the spelling Piefer, such as Piefer, Pifer, Puffer, and Peifer were also found in the Middle Ages.

The surnames Piffer and Puffer may also be of German origin, derived from the names 'Pifard' or 'Puffer', which are German nicknames meaning 'man with a gun'.

The spelling Piefer may even have Croatian origin, derived from the personal name 'Piefar', or 'Pivar', from the Croatian word 'Pivara', which means 'brewer' or 'alcoholic'.

Another option is Piffer, which some sources suggest may have Dutch origin. This spelling can have an occupational derivation, related to the Middle Dutch word 'pif’, meaning ‘gun’, and the Middle Dutch ‘far’ which means ‘maker’.

Regardless of spelling, the surname Peifers is a unique and strong name, with many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Peifers

• Gary Peifer, American sculptor.
• Joris Peifer, Dutch singer and musician.
• Mark Peifer, American professor of molecular and cellular biology.
• Jeff Peifers, Canadian musician.
• Perry Peifers, American professional triathlete.
• Abigail Peifers, Austrian-American theater director.
• Bob Peifer, German hockey player.
• Harry Peifer, Canadian professional poker player.
• Shari Peifer, American make-up artist.
• Louis Peifer, Belgian composer and musicologist.

Other surnames

Peifer