Surname Schifferer - Meaning and Origin
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Schifferer: What does the surname Schifferer mean?
The surname Schifferer is believed to have originated from 17th century German speaking areas, more specifically southern Germany. The word 'Schiffer' is a word that originated from the Middle High German language and means "to transport by boat", or "boatman". Hence, the name Schifferer translates to the English equivalent of "boatman" or "Barge master".
In this context, the term 'Schiffer' originally would have described a person who had to transport goods, usually salt, upstream the river Rhine. This was an important job as salt had a high value in the Medieval and Early Modern Periods.
Another theory is that the name was derived from the word 'Schiffsmann' which also originates from twenty centuries ago. This word denotes a person who worked on a trading ship or other type of boat, typically those that traded goods along the European coast.
In any case, such persons were given a title of some sorts and hence these names were often passed down from generation to generation, a custom that is still observed today. As such, the origin and meaning of the last name Schifferer has come down through the centuries and still stands as a testament to long gone times.
Order DNA origin analysisSchifferer: Where does the name Schifferer come from?
The last name Schifferer is most commonly found today in the area of Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Within these regions, the highest concentration of Schifferer families dwells in Bavaria. However, there are large numbers of the surname scattered throughout the rest of Europe, including France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland.
In the past, many Schifferers emigrated to the United States and Canada, leaving their homes in Germany and Austria to seek out new opportunities and a better life. To this day, many families with the last name Schifferer are still to be found in the United States, Canada, and other countries across the world in all parts of the Americas, Australia, and Asia.
The various forms of the name, such as Shiffer, Schifffer, and Schifere, are still common in different regions as well. Many of the descendants of the original bearers of the surname have adopted different spellings. Nonetheless, all of these are believed to be derived from the German word Schiffer, which means a sailor.
Variations of the surname Schifferer
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Schifferer include Schieferer, Schiferrer, Schiferer, Schiffer, Schifferle, and Schifferli.
Schieferer is a variation of the surname, which is derived from the German word schief meaning crooked or bent and referring to someone who bent or twisted iron. This surname can be found in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
Schiferrer is another variation of the surname which is derived from the Middle High German word schifen meaning to trim or shape metal by grinding or sawing. This surname is common in Germany and Austria.
Schiferer is another spelling of the surname which is also derived from the Middle High German word schifen. This spelling of the surname is common in southern Germany and Austria.
Schiffer is another spelling of the surname which is derived from the Old High German word schifern meaning to work as a blacksmith. This spelling of the surname can be found in Austria and Germany.
Schifferle is a variation of the surname which is derived from the German word schiff meaning ship. This variation of the surname can be found in Germany and Austria.
Finally, Schifferli is a variation of the surname which is derived from the German word schiffer meaning sailor. This variation of the surname can be found in Germany and Austria.
Famous people with the name Schifferer
- Eric Schifferer: Eric is an American actor, known for his roles as Dave in the 2020 movie Dreamland and Joey in the Netflix series Grand Army.
- Scott Schifferer: Scott is an American politician and business executive. He has served as Chairman and CEO of the Pennsylvania Republican Party.
- Steve Schifferer: Steve is a former American golf professional. He won two PGA Tour events and was inducted into the Indiana Golf Hall of Fame in 2016.
- Gustav Schifferer: Gustav was an Austrian diplomat who served as Austrian Vice-Chancellor in 1920 and 1921. He was a Foreign Minister from 1921 to 1922.
- Michael Schifferer: Michael is an Austrian rower who competed in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona and has won two silvers and two bronzes in the FISA World Rowing Championships.
- Verena Schifferer: Verena is a German actress best known for her roles in the television series Praxis Bülowbogen and Hinter Gittern: Der Frauenknast.
- Edith Schifferer: Edith is an Austrian writer and director. She won the Nestroy Prize in 2006 and her debut feature film Der Tod in der Mitte was released in 2014.
- Helmut Schifferer: Helmut was a German sprint canoer who competed in the mid-1950s. He won a gold medal in the C-2 10km event at the 1954 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Mâcon.
- Eva Schifferer: Eva is an Austrian journalist and author. She is best known for writing the book Mut zur Angst: Eine andere Geschichte der Flucht which was published in 2017.
- Stefan Schifferer: Stefan is a German football coach who is currently the manager of Viktoria Cologne. He previously held coaching positions at SV Wehen Wiesbaden and Eintracht Frankfurt.