Surname Schaerffe - Meaning and Origin

Schaerffe: What does the surname Schaerffe mean?

The last name Schaerffe is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word ‘scarf’, meaning ‘shelter’ or ‘protection’. In more contemporary terms, it can be translated to ‘safe haven’.

The earliest record of this surname was in the 13th century when a family with ‘Scharf’ as their surnames were mentioned in archives in the German speaking parts of Switzerland. It is unlikely that the name was commonly used until the 19th century when surnames became more popular.

The surname is interesting in its many variations. Sometime after the first appearance of the surname, members of the family began to add the suffix ‘-e’ to the end. This is probably an effort to distinguish the name from other similar names that were beginning to appear. Thus, in time, the spelling of the name changed to Schaerffe.

The surname Schaerffe symbolises a strong sense of family and a sense of belonging. In the current day, the surname is still primarily used in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and other countries in the German-speaking world. Even today, Schaerffes are proud of their heritage and regard their surname as a symbol of their pride and roots.

Schaerffe: Where does the name Schaerffe come from?

The last name Schaerffe is quite common today throughout the German-speaking world. It likely originated in Northern Germany and is quite common in Northern Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. The name Schaerffe has been around for centuries and is often associated with a noble heritage. The Schaerffe family was prominent in the territory of Westphalia in the 12th century and were among the original settlers of Cologne, Germany.

The last name Schaerffe also exists in countries south of Germany, including Austria, Switzerland, Poland and Alsace. It is also present in parts of North America, particularly in the United States and Canada, where there is a growing number of individuals with this last name. There are many variants of the name, including Scharfe, Schäferle, Scharff, Schaefers, Schaefersmeier, Schaerffer, Schaarffen, Schaerffe, Schaerffenberg, Schaeffer, Schaefferle, and Schaefferlin.

In general, the Schaerffe surname is quite common today, particularly in the areas where it has been historically present for centuries. It is found in North American countries, as well as throughout the German-speaking world, with the highest concentrations of individuals born with the last name Schaerffe typically found in Northern Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and Poland.

Variations of the surname Schaerffe

The surname Schaerffe is generally believed to have originated in Germany. It is a variant spelling of the German surname Schärffe, which is derived from the Middle High German "scharf" meaning sharp or pointed. The variant spellings of Schaerffe include Scharfe, Schärfe, Scharf, Scharffer, Schäffer, Schaeffer, Schaefer, and Schaaff.

The surname Schaerffe is also found in other European countries, most likely as a result of German immigration, especially during the 19th century and the World Wars. In France, variants such as Charef, Chalerf, Schaeerff, and Schaireff can be found. In Italy it goes by Scharf, in the Netherlands the spelling may be Scharff, while in Austria, the variations of Scharfer and Schaerf may be seen. In Sweden the forms Scharfe and Schaffer exist, and in Denmark the spelling Scharf is common.

The English spelling of Schaerffe is Schaefer. This version of the name has been used since the late 18th century, although as there were very few German immigrants during this time, it is likely that it was either adopted as an anglicised version of Schaerffe or derived from some other similar sounding German name.

In the United States, the surname Schaerffe would have been the most commonly seen, since there have been many German immigrants throughout the country's history. Common variants of the Schaerffe name in the US include Sherwood, Shiffer, Sharf, Schaefor, Schaffer, Sharps, and Shepp.

The surname Schaerffe has many associated variants and spellings, from all over Europe and the US. This allows for a great degree of flexibility when it comes to tracing one's family history, and is one of the reasons why it can be a great starting point for genealogical research.

Famous people with the name Schaerffe

• Walter Schaerffe: A Swiss-born German computer scientist and professor at the ETH Zurich, Walter Schaerffe is a leading figure in the field of formal verification and computer algebra.
• Nico Schaerffe: A Luxembourgian designer, Nico Schaerffe is renowned for his recognisable style and creative use of colour, materials and structuring.
• Juki Schaerffe: Juki Schaerffe is a musical artist and film composer who's analytics studies at the Zurich Musikhochschule resulted in his compositions being heard in the USA, Japan and throughout Europe.
• Brigitte Schaerffe: Brigitte Schaerffe is a renowned literature professor in Switzerland, whose wide-ranging accomplishments have had her not only teaching and lecturing, but also writing numerous papers in the field.
• Byon Schaerffe: Byon Schaerffe is a Swiss architect and businessman. In addition to being the owner of a design studio, he also has experience working as a conservation expert with Basel's old town structures.
• Rik Schaerffe: Rik Schaerffe is a popular Swiss television presenter and radio show host. One of the most distinguished of his profession, he is a frequently requested figure in Swiss media, events and entertainment.
• Jennifer Schaerffe: Jennifer Schaerffe is a Swiss singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Her work has been featured in numerous television and film projects, in addition to her own studio work.
• Marcel Schaerffe: Currently a professor in the field of investment finance and strategy, Marcel Schaerffe is associated with European School of Management Berlin. His research has been ongoing throughout Europe and the US.
• Michelle Schaerffe: Michelle Schaerffe is a professional sportsman, excelling in downhill mountain biking. She is a regular at elite downhill events, with her valiant spirit and victorious finish often fetching her awards.
• Holger Schaerffe: Holger Schaerffe is a professional chef, restaurateur and food author. He's been featured on the Swiss food industry's shows, publications and festivals while lecturing at schools in Europe and Canada.

Other surnames

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