Surname Schärper - Meaning and Origin
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Schärper: What does the surname Schärper mean?
The last name Schärper is a German surname derived from the word "Schärpe," meaning a sash or belt. This particular surname is likely derived from a nickname given to an individual in the Middle Ages who either wore such a sash or was perceived to be as strong and adaptable as a belt.
The origin of Schärper is a patronymic last name, meaning that it was derived from the given name of the father. Over time, as it was passed from father to son, it eventually developed into a single, family surname.
The spelling of Schärper has evolved over time, as have many German surnames. It began as Scherepur, then changed to Scherfper, then Scherpr, and eventually arrived at Schärper in its current form. It is an uncommon surname and recorded more heavily in northeastern Germany, specifically in Lower Saxony and in Hannover.
The surname Schärper is a reminder of the strength, adaption, and determination needed for generations of families to remain connected while they faced and overcame the challenges of the past. It continues to be a source of pride among the descendents of the family who first discovered and adopted it.
Order DNA origin analysisSchärper: Where does the name Schärper come from?
The last name Schärper is most often found in Germany today. Specifically, it is most common in North Rhine-Westphalia, a state located in the northwestern part of the country. According to data collected by Forebears, a genealogy website, Schärper is the 457th most popular German surname.
The surname is believed to have originated in the middle of the 13th century, derived from a word meaning "shield bearer." This likely referred to the family’s occupation as guards or warriors. It is likely that Schärper families from this era were part of the nobility, as they likely earned higher pay and had more mobility in that position.
In modern times, the name has become more widespread than it used to be due to migration. As of 2019, the population of Schärpers living outside of Germany is believed to be quite small, but the exact numbers are hard to pinpoint.
Since its origin centuries ago, the Schärper surname has carried a lot of prestige in some regions of the world—mainly Germany and other countries in Central Europe. Those with this name are often seen as noble, and the Schärper families are often held in high regard.
Variations of the surname Schärper
The surname Schärper has multiple variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
The earliest recorded form of the surname is Schaarper, which is likely derived from an old German word meaning to sharpen. Other variants include Scherer, Schrapper, Schearper, Schärpper, Scherpner, Scharffer, Schürper, Schorper, Schurpf and Sharfner.
The surname has been documented as far back as the 14th century and was probably first derived from a nickname. This is likely due to the fact that the surname itself refers to the act of sharpening, implying that the first person to adopt the surname may have been particularly adept at that skill.
In the 17th century the German spelling of the surname changed to Schärper and the surname spread to other German states such as Bavaria and Austria.
In some cases, the surname was also recorded in other languages such as Dutch, which led to alternative spellings like Scherper, Scherfer and Schörfer.
Interestingly, some Formen of the surname can also be found in Jewish communities. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Jewish members of the Schärper family kept the distinctive spelling of Schärper while others substituted it for the Hebrew version, Scherpach.
Overall, while the spelling and variants of the surname Schärper may vary, its origin remains the same regardless of its form.
Famous people with the name Schärper
- Reinhold Schärper, German-Austrian philologist and literary historian
- Jürgen Schärper, German footballer
- Robert Schärper, German author
- Ulrich Schärper, German musicologist
- Anke Schärper, German actress
- Hartmut Schärper, German historian and theologian
- Christel Schärper, German actress
- Anneliese Schärper, German dressage rider
- Joachim Schärper, German preaching-theologian
- Alexander Schärper, German filmmaker
- Herbert Schärper, German cyclist
- Imagines Scharper, German poet
- Lothar Scharper, German professor
- Jürgen Scharper, German mathematics professor
- Michael Scharper, German figure skater
- Waltraud Scharper, German author
- Andreas Scharper, German singer
- Günter Scharper, German author
- Emil Scharper, German immigrant to America
- Helma Scharper, German television actress