Surname Sandifer - Meaning and Origin
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Sandifer: What does the surname Sandifer mean?
The last name Sandifer is of English origin, primarily found in the northern region of England. The name is considered locational or habitation meaning that it originates from the name of a place. It could be extrapolated from two Old English words "sand" and "fyrhð" meaning "sand" and "woodland, wilderness" respectively. Therefore, it would suggest that the original bearers of the name lived or worked near a sandy wilderness or woodland. A common trait among locational surnames is the likelihood of their spreading far from their original location as people moved for work or other reasons, taking their hometown’s name with them. Sometimes, the name may have also been given as a nickname to someone who came from a sandy region. Similar to many surnames, variations of spelling can exist such as Sandiford, Sandford, Sandforth, among others.
Order DNA origin analysisSandifer: Where does the name Sandifer come from?
The last name Sandifer is most commonly found today in the United States. It is also fairly common in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the United States, the highest concentrations of Sandifers can be found in the Southern states of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and North and South Carolina. The states with the largest numbers of Sandifers are Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Texas. Sandifers are present throughout the rest of the United States, although they are not as numerous.
In the United Kingdom, Sandifers are most commonly found in England, Scotland, and Wales. They are also present in Ireland, where they are primarily concentrated in the Northern Province.
Sandifers in Australia are mainly found in New South Wales and Victoria. The name is also present in other Australian states and territories.
In New Zealand, Sandifers are predominantly located in the northern island and in the larger urban areas such as Auckland and Wellington.
Overall, the Sandifer surname is fairly common throughout English-speaking countries, with larger concentrations in the Southern United States and in the United Kingdom and their respective colonies.
Variations of the surname Sandifer
Sandifer is a surname of French origin, deriving from the Old French term "sain," meaning healthy or good. Its numerous spelling and surname variants include Sandifer, Saulnier, Sanfilippo, Salomone, Sandoval, Santangelo, Sainfied, Sandlove, Sandman, Sandburg, Sansone, Sanseverino, Sanserman, Sanson, Sandringham, Sandrin, and Sanserami.
The first recorded use of the surname Sandifer dates back to the early Middle Ages in France. During this period, most people who held the name Sandifer were likely from a noble family. In French documents recorded during the 13th and 14th centuries, one individual named Jean Sainfied was listed as holding land in the County of Rethel and another individual named Agnès saulnier was listed a resident of the village of Vaugouard in 1314.
The spelling of Sandifer has evolved over the centuries, with some names becoming more common than others. As such, the variant spelling Saulnier appears to have been the most popular spelling for centuries. While the name was most commonly used in France, by the 17th century the Sandifer surname had spread to England, Ireland, Germany, and Italy.
The surname Sandifer today is most popular in the United States and Australia, where individuals with the name can be found in nearly every state. This is likely due to various waves of immigration from Europe over the past centuries. Despite its relatively wide dispersal, nearly all variations of the surname Sandifer still have a strong connection to France, making it an interesting and unique name to research.
Famous people with the name Sandifer
- Carlos Sandifer: a Democratic American politician from Mississippi who currently serves as a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, representing District 19.
- Glenn D. Sandifer: an American scholar and Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling, Adult and Higher Education at Old Dominion University.
- Greg Sandifer: a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers from 1989-1993.
- Kyle Sandifer: an American mixed martial artist who competed in the featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
- Kyle M. Sandifer: an American politician from South Carolina who currently serves in the South Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 83.
- Richard Kent Sandifer: an American politician, engineer, and technologist who served as a member of the New York State Assembly from 1979 to 1984.
- Thomas E. Sandifer: a former American politician who served as a member of the Illinois State Senate from the 22nd district from 1971 to 1979.
- William W. Sandifer, Jr.: an American politician from South Carolina who served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1965 through 1968.