Surname Schafranske - Meaning and Origin
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Schafranske: What does the surname Schafranske mean?
The surname Schafranske is a German and Dutch name meaning "shepherd's region” or “Shepherd's area." It is an occupational name likely derived from the Middle High German word schafranz, which means “shepherd's pen” or “shepherd's field”. This name is most commonly found in North Rhine-Westphalia, a state in western Germany.
The early origins of the Schafranske surname likely refer to families of shepherds who lived and worked in the same area. Shepherds were important to communities in this region due to the abundance of sheep and their wool. They helped to provide food, clothing, and resources. The Schafranske name may also have been given to people who were engaged in some other sort of activity related to shepherds, such as cloth making.
Regardless of the origin of the name Schafranske, it is likely that those who bear the name today are likely related to those who had the same occupation many centuries ago. The Schafranske name is still relatively common in Germany today, even though it has undergone some spelling changes throughout the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisSchafranske: Where does the name Schafranske come from?
The last name Schafranske is generally found in Germany, particularly in the northwest. In particular, Schafranske is common in Saxony-Anhalt and Lower Saxony, two states in northern Germany.
The Schafranske surname historically had geographic origins, with families bearing the name often living and staying in the small region of northern Germany where their family first settled.
Schafranske families have also been documented in France, in the Île-de-France region. Here, the surname may have originally been a variant of Schafrenzer, which originated from the Old High Germanic shafrenzenze, meaning “a place surrounded by non-Christians.”
Today, the last name Schafranske is still widely used in Germany, though the variety of surnames has expanded in Germany and beyond due to immigration and urbanization. As of 2020, descendants of the Schafanske name can now be found throughout the world, though the original German communities still proudly hold the family name.
Variations of the surname Schafranske
The surname Schafranske is a German-language variant of the surname Schaffrans or Schaffranske. It can also be spelled as Schaaffranske, Schaefranske, Schaffranske, Schoffranske, Schofranske, Schoffrans, Schaffranck, Schaffrancke, or Schaffornse.
The name derived from a place in Germany named Schaffrans, which historians believe to have been located in the present-day Hesse region. It was popularized in the early 19th century after a family of Schaffrans living in the area moved their residence from Schaffrans to the nearby city of Ilbeshausen.
The surname Schafranske is most commonly used in the United States, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, but can also be found in countries like Belgium, Austria, Netherlands, and Italy. It is believed to have come into the U.S. in the mid-1800s.
The origin of the surname can be traced back to the Latin words for shepherd or keeper of sheep (Schaf) and house (Rancia). The family would likely have had some role in owning, breeding, or managing flocks of sheep, and this likely inspired their surname.
In more recent times, the name has become synonymous with various businesses, especially those specializing in the trading of goods or services. The Schafranske Group of Companies, for example, owns and operates a variety of businesses in the oil and gas, shipping, and financial services industries.
The surname has also been linked to a variety of success stories, including a world-renowned German physicist-philosopher, a Nobel Peace Prize candidate, and the current Chief Executive of the World Bank Group.
Famous people with the name Schafranske
- Don Schafranske: American soccer coach and former player
- Chris Schafranske: American former Major League Baseball player
- Luke Schafranske: American professional ice hockey defenceman
- Mike Schafranske: American former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Jacob Schafranske: German professional ice hockey defenceman
- Nick Schafranske: American professional ice hockey player
- Kaitlyn Schafranske: American professional soccer defender and midfielder
- Paul Schafranske: American Major League Baseball pitcher
- John Schafranske: American stand-up comedian and actor
- Amanda Schafranske: American professional volleyball player