Surname Schiefert - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schiefert: What does the surname Schiefert mean?
The surname Schiefert is of German origin, a German variant of the surname Sheaffert. It is thought to have derived from the Old German word “sceaft”, meaning "sheaf of wheat". As a result, it depicts a metaphorical meaning for the family name, likely suggesting individuals of the family were farmers.
The surname Schiefert is most commonly found in the northwest German region in the town of Bremen, as well as in the east side of the Rhine valley. It is known in other countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, and even the United States, but it is decidedly less common.
The earliest known record of an individual with the surname Schiefert was Christian Schiefert of Bremen who, in 1568, was a landowner. Throughout history, the most prominent family with the surname Schiefert was a middle-class family holding some political influence in the 19th century. They had many branches and families across Europe, and were proponents of the German unification.
The surname Schiefert is relatively rare, but it has strong historic roots within the country of Germany. It’s a symbol of farming and is closely associated with the German unification of the 1800s.
Order DNA origin analysisSchiefert: Where does the name Schiefert come from?
The last name Schiefert is most commonly found in Germany and its surrounding countries today. This name is derived from an old German language word meaning "squinting", usually used in relation to someone with a squint or crossed eyes, though this is likely an occupational name.
Schiefert is a name that can be traced back to Germanic roots in the 7th century, though there are theories it may have connections to French, Dutch, or even Jewish origins. Due to its Germanic roots, it is mostly found in Germany, with the more specific clusters of Schiefert families being found in central Germany, such as Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia.
The United States also boasts a large population of Schiefert families, mainly in the midwest, with more scattered around the country. Immigrants brought over the name from Germany, anxious to begin a new life in the US. While some kept the spelling, others have Americanized it to "Sheaffer", "Shaffer", or "Shiffer".
Schiefert is also quite common in Germany's neighbouring countries, such as Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, the Netherlands and France. The surname is even found in countries as far away as Argentina and Australia, a testament to its spread across the world after the German wave of immigration of the 1850s.
Variations of the surname Schiefert
Schiefert is a surname originating in Germany that can be seen in records of various spellings depending on the region and time period. In addition to Schiefert, other variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Schieferte, Schiefer, Schieferdt, Schieferth, Schieferde, Schieferdecker, Schiffeer, Schifert, Schiefelbein, Schiefertt, Schifert, Schifart, Scheiffert, Schiefel, Sheffer, Schiffer, Schifere, Shiffer, and Schiff.
In some cases, the spelling of the surname was changed Americanized after it was brought into the United States either in the 17th or 18th Century. For example, Schifert became Shiflet, Shifler, Shiffler, and Schiffer. Additionally, other variations emerged as a result of changes in pronunciation in different parts of the German Empire.
Over time, Schiefert spread throughout Germany and into other countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The Schiefert surname can also be found on locations in Germany, including Bad Schieferstein, Schieferstrasse, and Schieferbrunnerhof.
Schiefert is a relatively common surname throughout Germany today, while other spellings and variants are not as common. However, many of the variants and spellings of the surname remain in use today, with families throughout the world carrying on the same name, though in slightly different forms.
Famous people with the name Schiefert
- Brian Schiefert: German-American marketing executive at a healthcare communications company.
- Bill Schiefert: Retired American professional basketball player who played in the NBA for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets.
- Jamie Schiefert: Renowned pastry chef and bakery owner located in Phoenix, Arizona.
- Will Schiefert: German born author who penned the book “The Unseen” which is a collection of three critically acclaimed horror stories about a zombie apocalypse.
- Stefan Schiefert: German composer and musician known for his score on the 2017 film “Arizona Hearts”.
- Erika Schiefert: Award-winning German-born entrepreneur and corporate executive who is president of a number of international firms.
- Damon Schiefert: American film and television writer, producer, and director best known for his work on the hit television series “Grimm”.
- Barry Schiefert: Internationally acclaimed celebrity hair stylist who is credited with styling some of Hollywood’s most renowned stars.
- Ryan Schiefert: Retired American professional lacrosse player who was a three-time national champion and played for the Denver Outlaws.
- Michelle Schiefert: Canadian-American ice hockey player who was the winner of the Robert Douglas Trophy in 2019 for her excellence in women’s professional hockey.