Surname Saphir - Meaning and Origin

Saphir: What does the surname Saphir mean?

The last name Saphir is a German and Jewish surname that is of Hebrew origin. It is taken from the Hebrew word “saphir” which translates to “sapphire”, a precious gemstone often found in blue and green varieties. This name is thought to have been either derived from a profession of someone who mined precious stones, or from a nickname given to a person with bright and sparkling eyes.

The Saphir surname first appeared in records around the late 1800s and early 1900s in eastern Europe and the United States. People with this surname are found mainly in Israel, Germany, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.

The Saphir surname is associated with a variety of different occupations. In the 1700s, many people with the Saphir surname were innkeepers and merchants, business owners, tailors and shoemakers, and even Jews who lived in Germany and worked hard to make a living.

In America, the Saphir surname is found in the state of New York, for example, and is associated with the birth of the United States’ garment industry. The earliest immigrants with this surname were mainly tailors and shoemakers that helped create the enormous clothing industry in this country.

Today, the Saphir surname is still found in many parts of the world. While the meaning of this name is often forgotten over time, it will remain a reminder of the generations of people who had the courage to venture farther and create a new life in a new land.

Saphir: Where does the name Saphir come from?

The last name Saphir is most commonly found in countries that speak French or German. This includes countries like France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. In France, Saphir is most highly concentrated in the departments of the Nord and the Pas de Calais. In Germany, it is most highly concentrated mainly in Bavaria and the Saarland. There are also communities of Saphir that exist in England, the United States, Canada, and South America.

Saphir is thought to have originated with an old French first name, Saphire, meaning “sapphire” or “lapis lazuli”. It is believed that someone with a connection to the stone gave the name to their descendants. The surname is thought to have become popular in the Middle Ages due to its association with nobility and prestige.

Today, Saphir is a popular surname, and it can still be used to trace the social and economic history of the region. Families with Saphir as a surname are generally said to be of noble heritage, and the name is still held in high regard in these regions.

Variations of the surname Saphir

The surname Saphir is thought to have originated from two different sources. The first one is from the Hebrew word saphir, which means “brilliant” or “precious stone.” The second source is from the German word Safer, which means “jeweler.”

The surname Saphir is found all over Europe and the Americas and can be spelt a number of different ways. In France, the name is spelt Saffir or Safir. In Germany, Safer and Sappir are the two most commonly used spellings of the surname. In England, the name is usually spelled Safier or Sapphier. In Spain, Sáphor (or sometimes Sáfiro) is the more popular spelling, as in Latin American countries, Sapiros.

Variations of the surname Saphir are often formed from other words meaning “sapphire” or “jeweler” in different languages. These include Safiero (Italian and Spanish), Saffiros (Greek, Macedonian), and Saferovitch (modern-day Russian).

Common surnames of the same origin, but with different spellings, include: Safier, Sapiros, Sapphier, Safiero, Saffiros, Saphor, Sappirov, and Safferovitch.

Different forms of the surname Saphir have a been popular choice throughout the centuries as it was often used to signify a person's trade or wealth. Today, the surname Saphir remains a popular surname in many countries, with millions of people around the world bearing the name.

Famous people with the name Saphir

• Verena Saphir: a German artist, best known for her work in glass.
• Esther Saphir: an American actress and artist, known for her role in the television series Seinfeld.
• Alfred Saphir: a Jewish-Austrian journalist, editing the Viennese weekly newspaper, Der korrespondent, from 1914-1931.
• Mark Saphir: a British-born actor, best known for his roles in films such as Shrek, Austin Powers and Click.
• David Saphir: an American lawyer and author, best known for his books on topics such as civil rights, jury reform, and civil justice system reform.
• Rodney Saphir: a Canadian actor, best known for his work in stage and film productions.
• Benjamin Saphir: an American novelist and playwright, best known for his series of historical novels set in 17th century France and Europe.
• Robert Saphir: an American philosopher and theologian, best known for his works on the concept of freedom of the will.
• Darlene Saphir: a Canadian singer-songwriter, best known for her work in adult contemporary and alternative music.
• Paul Saphir: an Australian architect and urban designer, best known for his work in building design and urban planning.

Other surnames

SaphierSaphire