Surname Schafranke - Meaning and Origin

Schafranke: What does the surname Schafranke mean?

The last name Schafranke is of German origin. The literal translation of the name is “shepherd's pouch”, suggesting that the original bearer of the name may have been a shepherd. It could also indicate an ancestral connection to sheep-raising activities. The name is most commonly found in areas of Germany with a strong history of sheep farming.

This surname may have also been an occupational name for a bag maker or even an official pouches used by the government messengers carrying papers and documents. In some parts of the country, the name could have also been associated with an administrative role, often as a magistrate. It is possible that the original bearer of the name had a role as a middleman who settled conflicts among citizens.

The coat of arms for the Schafranke family is blue and gold, with a blue shield resting beneath a screen of golden “X's”. The meaning of the symbols is unclear, although some scholars believe they are a representation of a “shepherd’s pouch” or a bag.

The Schafranke surname is still used today in Germany. It is a relatively rare surname, with fewer than two hundred individuals now bearing the name. Most of them are clustered in the regions of Brandenburg, Saxony, and the Rheinland. The Schafranke family continues to remain close-knit and values loyalty and respect.

Schafranke: Where does the name Schafranke come from?

The last name Schafranke is most commonly found today among ancestries in Germany and Central and Eastern Europe. Schafranke is a German surname derived from a given name or nickname likely from early Middle High German. It is possible that the family name is based on a nickname for someone with a reputation for being skilful at making shawls or cloaks.

Schafranke is a moderate to rare German surname with less than 1,000 records in Germany in 2018. As of that year, it was the 12,189th most common family name in Germany, where it is one of the most common surnames among German Jewish (Ashkenazi) families. The name is also found in Austria and Slovakia.

Emigration to the United States also increased the number of people with the Schafranke last name. Its use in the U.S is now more frequently found in the New York and New Jersey states with a lower number of records in Ohio, California, Pennsylvania, Washington, Florida, and Maryland.

In England, the Schafranke surname is recorded in one handwritten roll dated 1645 and another in Wiltshire from 1630-1640. In Canada, records of the name date back to 1858 in Quebec and 1866 in Ontario, according to Ancestry data.

Overall, the surname Schafranke is most commonly found today in countries of Central and Eastern Europe along with Germany and it is showing signs of increased presence in the United States.

Variations of the surname Schafranke

The surname Schafranke is derived from the German language and it is related to the word “Schaffranke”, which is the ancient form of the word “low railing”. The surname can be spelled in several variants, including Schaffranke, Schaafranke, Schaffranck, Schaaffranck, Schaffenknecht, Schäfchenknecht, and Schaffron. The surname was commonly used to describe someone who served as the chief herdsman of a village or ſheepfold, thus its association with sheep and low railings.

The variants of the surname Schafranke can also indicate the geographical origin of a person with that surname. In Germany, variants such as Schäfchen- and Schaffron are primarily seen, while in Hungary the variants Schaffenknecht and Schaafranke are more commonly used. In the Czech Republic, Schläfchen- is a variant of the surname Schafranke, while in Austria, Schaffranck is the preferred spelling.

The variation in the surname reflects the regional importance of sheep farming in Europe during the Middle Ages. Over time, the spelling of the surname changed as it moved with families to different parts of Europe. It is also likely that several variations were created by the same family in different parts of Europe, possibly from a desire to individualize themselves.

As the spelling of the surname changed, it eventually took on different surnames. Some of these surnames include Shaffer, Shefferman, Schoffron and Schoenfisch. All of these surnames can be traced back to the original surname Schafranke and are related to its meaning of a chief herdsman.

Famous people with the name Schafranke

• Oscar Schafranke: Oscar Schafranke was the President and founder of the Schaerwin-Krupp Company, a major German supplier of steel products. He was a well-known industrialist, art collector, and philanthropist.
• August Schafranke: August Schafranke was a German composer and conductor from the late 19th to early 20th centuries. He composed numerous popular pieces including songs and operettas.
• Werner Schafranke: Werner Schafranke was a Jewish-German conductor, composer, and music educator. His works include the oratorios Ein Lied vom Glück and Der Baum des Lebens.
• Karl Schafranke: Karl Schafranke was a German sculptor and director of the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts. His works can be found in major European museums and many public squares and parks.
• Ferdinand Schafranke: Ferdinand Schafranke was a German novelist and jurist. He was also a well-known literary historian. He was the author of many popular books, and his works were widely admired.
• Heinrich Schafranke: Heinrich Schafranke was a German officer and member of the German right-wing organization Stahlhelm. He was a decorated World War I veteran.
• Otto Schafranke: Otto Schafranke was an Austrian civil engineer and inventor. He developed the first rudder system with an adjustable gear to allow improved steering of boats.
• Helmut Schafranke: Helmut Schafranke was a German pianist and conductor from the mid-20th century. He was well-known for his art songs and lieder orchestral performances.
• Heinz Schafranke: Heinz Schafranke was a German painter and graphic artist. He often experimented with different styles and themes in his works.
• Günter Schafranke: Günter Schafranke was a German composer and music producer. He was the director of the German Ministry of State for Art and Culture and served as the president of the German Academy of Music.

Other surnames

SchafranietzSchafranitzSchafrankaSchafranskeSchafranskiSchafransky