Surname Schaerfke - Meaning and Origin
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Schaerfke: What does the surname Schaerfke mean?
The last name Schaerfke is a German surname. It is derived from the Low German word ‘schaerf’, which means sharp. Therefore, the name can be translated to mean ‘sharp fin’ or ‘sharp keel’, suggesting a connection to some form of boat-building and seafaring.
The exact origin and meaning of the name is uncertain as there is sparse information about it, but it is likely that this family's original surname was a variant of the original Scharf, which is a more common German surname.
The Schaerfke surname is found most often in the area of today’s Germany, especially in larger cities such as Berlin and Munich. As Germany was formed from many different districts and states, names and their meanings evolved and so did the Schaerfke surname.
While the exact meaning of the name is hard to define, today the Scharfk family is known for their willingness to take on new challenges, their ambition, resourcefulness and sharp intelligence. They are a family with strong values that help them to succeed in whatever they set their minds to.
Order DNA origin analysisSchaerfke: Where does the name Schaerfke come from?
The last name Schaerfke is most commonly found in the northern region of Germany, in the state of Lower Saxony. It is particularly prominent in the city of Oldenburg, which is located just west of Bremen. The last name is also found in several other countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
In the Netherlands, the last name Schaerfke tends to be found in the southern region near the Dutch-German border. In Germany specifically, the surname can also be seen in the cities of Hannover, Hamburg, Berlin, and Dresden. The surname Schaerfke is also known commonly in the United States, with the surname being found especially within the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.
There is not an exact origin for the last name Schaerfke, although some believe that it was derived from the German words schaer for "sharp" and fe for "edge." This may refer to a sharp-edged artifact-like a knife or tool-being the family's trade. However, this is merely speculation.
No matter the origin story, the last name Schaerfke continues to be prevalent in German-speaking countries and the United States today.
Variations of the surname Schaerfke
The surname Schaerfke is an occupational name of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "schari" meaning "scholar" and is thought to have been first adopted as a surname by members of the clergy. Variants of this surname include Schaefke, Schaefcke, Schäfke, Schörfke, Schöfke, Schoerfke, Scharfke, Schaerfke and Schatzke.
The surname is common in Germany, where it is mainly found in the south and southwest of the country. It is also found in Austria, Poland, and the Netherlands. Spellings of the surname are numerous, possibly due to the phonetic spelling of the original German word. Other forms include Scharpke, Sarfke, Sharfke, Schaafke, Scharfe, Schaefky, Schafke, Schoffke, and Schoff.
Variants of the surname can be found in different countries, created by the immigration of members of the family. In the United States, variants include Scharf, Scharfka, Skarpiak, Scharff, and Skarupa, as well as Scarpiak and Scarpac. In Canada, variants such as Schöfka, Schafka, Schafky, Schofka, Scharfka and Scarpac can be found.
In countries where German is spoken, such as Germany and Austria, spelling variations are more common. These include Schaeffke, Schoeffke, Schaffke, Schoffke, Scaeffke, Schaeeffke, Schaeffky, and Schaefkke. Other surnames of similar origin that share a connection to the name Schaerfke include Scharrer, Schaefers, Schäffer, and Schäfers.
Famous people with the name Schaerfke
- Reiner Schaerfke: Reiner Schaerfke is a German professional footballer who currently plays for TSV 1860 Munich in the 3. Liga. He made his professional debut for VfL Bochum in 2013.
- Thomas Schaerfke: Thomas Schaerfke is a retired German football defender, who lastly played for SpVgg Greuther Fürth in the Second Bundesliga.
- Hanno Schaerfke: Hanno Schaerfke is a former German tennis player who was active in the 1980s and 1990s. He reached the quarterfinals at the 1990 French Open, where he lost to Stefan Edberg in three sets.
- Stefan Schaerfke: Stefan Schaerfke is a former German football goalkeeper who was active in the 1990s and early 2000s. He made one appearance in the 2. Bundesliga for TSV 1860 Munich and one in the 3. Liga for SpVgg Unterhaching.
- Paul Schaerfke: Paul Schaerfke is an international master chess player from Germany, who won the German Senior Chess Championship in 2008. He was the winner of the 10th International Chess Tournament at Lutherstadt Wittenberg in 2009.
- Maria Schaerfke: Maria Schaerfke is a former German artistic gymnast who competed for Germany at the 2000 Summer Olympics. She placed 39th in the all-around.
- Henrik Schaerfke: Henrik Schaerfke is a retired German defenseman who played two seasons in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga for ERC Ingolstadt.
- Michael Schaerfke: Michael Schaerfke is a former German football midfielder who played most of his career for VfL Bochum.
- Johannes Schaerfke: Johannes Schaerfke is a former German rower who competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. He won a bronze medal in the coxed fours event.
- Stefanie Schaerfke: Stefanie Schaerfke is a former German ski-jumper who competed in the 1990s and 2000s. She won two smaller hill-events in 2000.