Surname Scheiffelen - Meaning and Origin

Scheiffelen: What does the surname Scheiffelen mean?

The German surname Scheiffelen (or Schiefelen) is derived from the Middle High German word “schief” which, in turn, is derived from the Old High German root “Skieban”, meaning “to bend” or “to lean”. Thus, the basic meaning of the surname is “one who leans” or “one who bends”.

This surname is found in various forms (Scheiffelein, Schiefel, Schiefele, Scheiffeler, Schiefeler, Scheiffeln) with a large number of individuals bearing the name being recorded in Germany, extending into Austria and Switzerland. These individuals most likely had a profession dealing with fields such as construction, carpentry, and/or engineering.

The name Scheiffelen is an occupational surname, meaning that it was commonly used to identify someone who pursued a specific profession. It can be found in documents relating to professions such as construction, carpentry, and engineering, providing an insight into the possible past occupations of those with the name. It has the characteristics of a “noble” or “professional” name, as it was mostly used by highly skilled and specialized individuals who were highly respected and acknowledged for their specific trade.

In modern times, the name Scheiffelen has been used as a given name by parents honoring their German heritage. It is an interesting surname that has an interesting origin and can be seen as a symbol of respect for the many individuals who forged a profession for themselves or their families in the fields of labor, carpentry, and engineering.

Scheiffelen: Where does the name Scheiffelen come from?

The last name Scheiffelen is found primarily in Germany and the Netherlands. It is a German surname, likely derived from the Middle High German schifel, meaning "shivering," or "trembling." It is believed to have been an occupational name for a blacksmith.

In Germany, Scheiffelen is distributed throughout the country, but is generally more common in northern and central areas. Currently, the highest concentration of the surname can be found in the north-western German states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia.

In the Netherlands, the name Scheiffelen was mainly concentrated in the south-western provinces of South-Holland and Zeeland in the 19th century. However, today it can be found more widely spread throughout the country.

Outside of Germany and the Netherlands, the surname Scheiffelen is much rarer. It can be occasionally found in other parts of Europe, as well as in countries that have had significant immigration from these two nations. Notably, it is most common in the United States and Canada amongst the descendants of German and Dutch immigrants, and in South America, particularly Argentina.

Thus, the last name Scheiffelen is most commonly found today in Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, and Argentina.

Variations of the surname Scheiffelen

The surname Scheiffelen can be spelled in several ways, such as Schiffelen, Shiffelen, Schaffelen, Schafelen, Schaflen, Schuffelen, Schefflen, Schifeln, and Schafflen. Each of these spellings may have derived from the Frisian, Dutch, and German surname Scheiffelen.

In Frisian, the spelling is Sjiffelen, which means "tailor"; this suggests that the Scheiffelen surname may have been the occupation of an ancestor who was a tailor. In Dutch, the spelling is Schiffele(n) which is derived from the word schifelen, which means "shuffle", suggesting the original family member was a person who shuffled things. The German spelling is Schiffel(en), possibly derived from the word Schiffe, meaning boat or ship; this implies that the surname may have been associated with someone who worked in the naval profession.

Other surnames with the same origin as Scheiffelen include Schifft, Schifle, Schoffelen, Schofflen, Schuffle, Schowfelen, and Schowfel. These surnames are all associated with potential trades related to tailoring, shuffling, and sailing.

The Scheiffelen surname is found in many countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the United States. It is also popular in North and South America, as well as parts of Australia. The Scheiffelen surname is quite rare in the United Kingdom, however it is believed to have originated from migration from the Netherlands during the seventeenth century.

Overall, the surname Scheiffelen has multiple spellings and variants associated with it, and is thought to be derived from Frisian, Dutch, and German terms associated with tailoring, shuffling, and sailing.

Famous people with the name Scheiffelen

• Greta Scacchi: an acclaimed English-born Italian actress best known for her roles in several films, including Presumed Innocent (1990), The Player (1992), Broken Arrow (1996), and Looking for Alibrandi (1999).
• Lucy Airlie Scheiffer: a Swedish actress and singer, best known for her roles in Species (1995) and Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004).
• Alice Scheiffer: a French actress best known for her roles in films like The Ice House (2004) and The Class (2007).
• Marika Scheiffer: a German actress and model who has had roles in films such as Requiem for a Dream (2000) and Super (2010).
• Jules Scheiffer: a French fashion designer most known for his work with Louis Vuitton and Chanel.
• Johannes Scheiffer: an Austrian musician, composer, and producer who has collaborated with musicians like Eros Ramazzotti and Barbra Streisand.
• Corinne Scheiffer: a French sculptor who has exhibited her work in France and other countries around the world.
• Marcel Scheiffer: a former German ice hockey player who competed at the 1964 Winter Olympics.
• Joumana Scheiffer: a Lebanese-born actress who appeared in a number of French television shows and films.
• Philemon Scheiffer: a Dutch painter and illustrator who made a name for himself during the Golden Age of Dutch painting.

Other surnames

Scheiffele