Surname Schief - Meaning and Origin
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Schief: What does the surname Schief mean?
The last name Schief has German origins and is derived from the word “schiefer,” which translates to “crooked.” This indicates that the original bearer of this surname was likely an individual with a twisted or bent physical feature, such as a crooked nose or finger. The word is also closely linked to the word “schieflaufen,” which translates to “to walk unevenly.” This implies the early owners of the Schief last name may have walked or moved in a distinctive way or had an affliction affecting their gait.
In Germany, the surname is primarily found in Rhineland, especially in the Lower Rhine region, as well as in Rheinhessen, Rhineland-Palatinate, and North Rhine-Westphalia, indicating its regional popularity and concentration. This may suggest that the Schief family were early settlers in these areas and may have become established for several generations in the same region.
The Schief name can be found in other countries and cultures, too, as immigrants exported it to other corners of the world. In the United States and Canada, this surname is especially common among German refugees who sought asylum during and after the Nazi period.
Overall, the Schief name hints at a person who was physically distinct in some way, possibly due to a disability of some sort, an uneven gait, or a crooked feature. It stands as a reminder of not only one family's early history, but of many other migrants and refugees who brought the name with them in times of struggle.
Order DNA origin analysisSchief: Where does the name Schief come from?
The last name Schief is a German-Jewish surname, meaning "slanted" or "crooked". It is most common in countries that were historically part of the German-speaking world, such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland, but can also be found in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and other parts of northern Europe. In the United States, the Schief surname is most commonly found among the Jewish population, especially in the Midwest, Northeast, and Florida. According to the 2010 US Census, over 500 people bore the Schief surname.
The Schief name is also popular in Israel, where a number of Jewish immigrants with the Schief surname settled in the early 20th century after escaping persecution in Europe. Furthermore, descendants of German refugees from the Second World War have since become Israeli citizens. As a result, people bearing the Schief name can be found all over the country in places such as Jerusalem, Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Beersheba.
Today, the Schief surname remains popular in all of these countries and continues to be passed down through generations, preserving its legacy for centuries to come.
Variations of the surname Schief
The surname Schief is an German occupational name based on the Middle High German word 'schiuǒ' meaning 'slanting.' As such, this surname has a variety of variants, spellings, and other related surnames. The most common variations of the surname Schief include Schiefer, Schiff, Schiffer, Scheffer, Schiefelbein, and Scheffel, among others.
The first variant of the surname, Schiefer, has its roots in the Middle High German term for 'tiler,' making it closely related to the occupation of a mason or potter. This variant has different variants as well, including Schieferarter, Schiefermeister, and Schifersteiner. The surname Schiff, on the other hand, originated as a nickname for someone who resembled a boat or ship in their physical attributes. It can be seen in its various forms, including Schiffe, Schifmann, and Schifelbein.
The surname Scheffer has its origin in the Middle High German term for 'helmet-maker,' and as such, variant spellings include Schäffer, Schiffer, Shaver, and Shaffer. The surname Schiefelbein, which originated in the early modern period, is a variation on the earlier Schifelbein, and was likely derived from the Middle High German words for 'shoe-maker.' Finally, the surname Scheffel is derived from the Middle High German term for 'awl-maker.' Variations of this surname include Scheffler and Scheffelmeyer.
In conclusion, the surname Schief has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including Schiefer, Schiff, Schiffer, Scheffer, Schiefelbein, and Scheffel. Each variant has slightly different origins from the Middle High German language, and often related to an occupational name.
Famous people with the name Schief
- Mark Schiefelbein: Mark is a Canadian chess grandmaster who holds many Chess titles. He has won the British Columbia Closed Championship (2009, 2011, 2017), the Alberta Open Championship (2009, 2015, 2016, 2017) and the Saskatchewan Closed Championship (2011, 2015, 2016, 2017).
- Jakob Schiefelbein: Jakob is a German football manager and coach. He is currently the manager of the VfL Horneburg team in the Regionalliga Nordost.
- Rudolph Schiefelbein: Rudolph was an American farmer and businessman. He was the owner of the Rudolph Feed and Grain Company and served as a director of the Monroe Savings and Loan Company and the First State Bank of Monroe.
- Reiner Schiefelbein: Reiner is a Greek professional basketball player currently playing for Faroese basketball club Fuglafjørður. He was named the Faroese Basketball Player of the Year in 2018.
- Karl Schiefelbein: Karl was a German World War II veteran and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He was described by his contemporaries as a brave and courageous leader of his unit.