Surname Scheiff - Meaning and Origin
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Scheiff: What does the surname Scheiff mean?
The last name Scheiff is a German name derived from the Old High German word “scaf”, which means “sheaf” or “bundle”. Originally, the name was a nickname given to individuals who sold bundles of firewood or straw.
In later years, the name may have become adopted as an occupational name or perhaps a regional name, with the ending suffix "-iff" typically denoting a person who lived in a certain area. In particular, it is thought that families bearing the name may have originated in East and West Prussia and Pomerania.
The surname Scheiff is found primarily in the German states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Northern Germany. Its derivatives, such as Schiff or Shiff, can also be found more broadly in Europe, including the U.K., Austria, Switzerland, and the U.S. The variations in spelling reflect the evolution of the language in use during different time periods.
Overall, the name Scheiff is an age-old name with an engaging history, and it’s continued usage throughout multiple parts of Europe and the U.S. shows the deep lineage and legacy associated with it.
Order DNA origin analysisScheiff: Where does the name Scheiff come from?
The last name Scheiff is most common today in the countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, but it is also found in other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Israel. Historically, Scheiff was a common name among Jews from Poland, Belarus, and Ukraine, and it was sometimes also spelled as Schiff, Shiff, as well as other variations.
In Germany, the name Scheiff is particularly common in the northern state of Lower Saxony and the metropolitan region of the city of Hamburg. In Austria, it is mostly found in the states of Vienna and Styria. In Switzerland, the name is fairly evenly distributed among several cantons (states).
In the United States, the name Scheiff is mostly found in New York City, Miami, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey as well as several other states. In Canada, it is most common in Toronto and Montreal. Australia also has a conspicuous population of people with the last name Scheiff, mostly in Sydney and Melbourne. In Israel, the name is more popular in areas particularly settled by Jews from Central and Eastern Europe.
Overall, the last name Scheiff is a fairly common surname worldwide today, but it is particularly concentrated in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Israel.
Variations of the surname Scheiff
The surname Scheiff has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Scheff, Schaeff, Schiff, Shiff, Scheif, Scheiffer, Schief, Schiefer, Scheifer, and Schieferstein. Each of these variants and spellings can also be found in combination with other surnames, such as Schaeffer, Schaffer, Schiefersteiner, Schiffer, and Schifferstein, to create a more complex surname.
The origins of the surname Scheiff are likely Germanic, as many surnames with similar spellings can be found in German-speaking countries like Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The variation in spelling is likely due to the fact that in Germany, surnames were not standardized until the 19th century. Prior to that, different dialects and areas created their own versions of the same surname.
These variants and combinations of the surname Scheiff are all based from the same source. Its usage likely stems from a family’s occupation or residence in areas such as Croatia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, or Hungary. Often times, these surnames were derived from a location such as a town or village, a trade such as those related to shipbuilding or carpentry, or even from a nickname for a characteristic feature or physical attribute.
In sum, the surname Scheiff has many variants and spellings, some of which appear in combination with other surnames. It is likely of Germanic origin and was likely derived from an occupation, a place, or a physical feature of the original person to bear the name.
Famous people with the name Scheiff
- Bob Scheiffer: Bob Scheiffer is a journalist, best known for being the anchor for CBS News' flagship news program 'Face the Nation'.
- Ernesto Scheiffer: Ernesto Scheiffer is the co-founder and CEO of Azotic Technologies, an international agricultural tech company.
- Edward Scheiffer: Edward Scheiffer is an award-winning American film director, cinematographer and visual effects designer.
- Jacob Scheiffer: Jacob Scheiffer is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, best known for being a member of the rock band Papa Roach.
- Wolfgang Scheiffer: Wolfgang Scheiffer is a former defense attorney and German Bundestag politician from the CDU party.
- Emily Scheiffer: Emily Scheiffer is an American voice actor, best known for providing voices in various video games, TV shows and movies.
- Martin Scheiffer: Martin Scheiffer is a world champion downhill mountain biker and competed at both the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Lotte Scheiffer: Lotte Scheiffer is a Swiss flautist and composer, best known for her works for flute, violin, and piano.
- Rainer Scheiffer: Rainer Scheiffer is a German physicist and experimental astrophysicist at the Institute for Astrophysical and Extraterrestrial Research in Munich.
- Ron Scheiffer: Ron Scheiffer is an American actor and voice actor, best known for providing the voice of 'Jay Strongarm' in the Cartoon Network show As Told By Ginger.