Surname Schiefer - Meaning and Origin
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Schiefer: What does the surname Schiefer mean?
The last name Schiefer is of German origin and is derived from the Old German word ‘schiffer’ or ‘schüffer’, which means boatman, ferryman or captain. It is likely to have originally referred to someone who made a living as a sailor or boatman on the Rhine River.
Surnames like Schiefer often indicate a family’s place of origin and profession. In this case, the Schiefer family likely had a long history of sailing the Rhine and may have sailed elsewhere over the years. In German, the root word for ‘schiefer’ also means ‘slanted’, ‘crooked’ or ‘skewed’. This could be a reference to the Schiefer family’s nautical adventures on the winding waters of the Rhine.
Today, the last name Schiefer is still quite common in Germany and other parts of Europe, and many families with this surname now live and work outside of sailing. From musicians to scientists and engineers, the Schiefer family name now stands for people from a wide variety of backgrounds, cultures and interests.
Ultimately, the last name Schiefer harkens back to its nautical roots. It is both a tribute to a long line of seafarers and a reminder that family stories can stretch across many generations, countries and cultures.
Order DNA origin analysisSchiefer: Where does the name Schiefer come from?
The last name Schiefer is from German origin and is most commonly found in Germany and countries where German immigrants settled. In the U.S., the last name Schiefer is mainly located in the Midwest in states such as Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. There are also significant populations in California, Texas, and the Carolinas. In Europe, the Schiefer surname is concentrated in German-speaking countries like Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
Furthermore, the Schiefer name may also be found in countries such as New Zealand, Canada, and Australia, as German immigrants from the 19th and 20th centuries settled there.
Historically, family names typically represented professions or classes of people. The name Schiefer, which is German for slanted, can indicate the physical characteristics of those who carried the name in the olden days, or signify a person's occupation. Slating was an important part of building structures during the time period, and medieval Europe had plenty of roofers who went by the name of Schiefer.
Today, the Schiefer surname continues to provide a link between people from the past and those in the present. As more people migrate and intermingle, the Schiefer name will spread even further.
Variations of the surname Schiefer
The surname Schiefer is a German-derived name that has variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as well. The variants and spellings of the Schiefer name include Scheffer, Scheifer, Scheifler, Sheifer, Schifel, Schifler, Schifle, Schlee, and Schley.
The origin of the name Schiefer is not definitively known, but some sources suggest it originated from an ancient Hebrew name meaning “beautiful,” and others suggest the source is Slavic, meaning “stiff” or “rigid.” It may also have derived from the Middle Dutch word “schieffijn,” which means “atypical.”
Surnames of the same origin as Schiefer can include Sheffer, Sheaphard, Scheuchenzuber, Schiffer, Schifferdecker, Shiffer, Shiffers, Schleifer, Scheiver, Scheiwiller, Schellberg, Schliefer, Schieferstein, Shiflet, Shifflett, Schiefenhagen, Scheffler, Schleier, and Schlegel.
These surnames have also experienced changes and variations due to migration and immigration over time. In addition, the spelling of the name Schiefer has also been affected by language differences as the name has been adapted into other languages and dialects. For example, in some European countries it is spelled “schifer” or “skefer”, and in Russia it is spelled “shyafer.”
Overall, the surname Schiefer has numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin that have been adapted over time due to migration, language differences and other influences.
Famous people with the name Schiefer
- Michelle Schiefer: Michelle Schiefer is an American dancer and actress. She is best known for her leading role in the Canadian superheroine film American Girl as Emma Tanzer.
- Nicole Schiefer: Nicole Schiefer is a Canadian cheerleader who competed in the World Cheerleading Competition in 2017. She won a bronze medal for her performance.
- Ted Schiefer: Ted Schiefer is an American tennis player who has been competing on the professional tour since 2006. He is most well-known for being the runner-up at the 2013 SAP Open.
- Ryan Schiefer: Ryan Schiefer is a professional snowboarder from Canada who won a bronze medal at the 2006 Wintry Paralympics in Torino, Italy in the boardcross event.
- Steven Schiefer: Steven Schiefer is an actor best known for roles in movies such as Robotropolis and The Two Towers.
- Lisa Schiefer: Lisa Schiefer is a German costume designer who has been working in the film industry since the late 1980s. She is most well-known for her work on blockbusters such as The Da Vinci Code and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
- Jessica Schiefer: Jessica Schiefer is an American ice skater who has competed in the national and international competitive levels. She is best known for winning the gold medal in the 2016 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
- Jay Schiefer: Jay Schiefer is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He is well-known for his roles in films such as Aloha, Flip, and Paul Blart: Mall Cop.
- Donald Schiefer: Donald Schiefer is an American politician who is currently serving in the Mississippi House of Representatives for the first district.
- Kerry Schiefer: Kerry Schiefer is a Canadian singer who gained recognition after appearing on the television show Canadian Idol in 2004.