Surname Schifferl - Meaning and Origin
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Schifferl: What does the surname Schifferl mean?
The last name Schifferl can be traced to Austria and German-speaking areas with the earliest documented use being in the late fifteenth century. The name is believed to come from the Middle High German word “schifler” meaning "traveler". During the Middle Ages, it was common practice to give individuals a moniker which was linked to a profession or activity with which the person was associated. Thus, those who had the job of traveling were often given the title of "schifler".
The name is quite common throughout Austria and Germanic countries and can also be found in some parts of America. It typically takes the form of Schifferl, Schiffler, Schifler, or Schiflerova in some places. The most common spelling in the United States is Schifferl.
People with the last name Schifferl may be associated with various businesses, professions and activities associated with traveling. Traditionally, those with this name have been associated with occupations that require traveling such as merchants, peddlers, messengers, couriers, soldiers, sailors, and adventurers. It can also refer to people who live a nomadic lifestyle or those who are affiliated with certain occupations whose trade involves traveling.
The origins of the name, its current geographical locations, and the associations of the surname Schifferl reveals far more than just what the name means literally. It stands for the wanderings of its ancestors and their stories.
Order DNA origin analysisSchifferl: Where does the name Schifferl come from?
The last name Schifferl is most commonly found in Austria and Germany. It is known to be an occupational name derived from word "Schipper", which means boatman or sailor. It is believed to have been first used during medieval times by those who owned boats and worked as sailors.
In Austria, the name was especially popular in the states of Lower and Upper Austria, as well as Tyrol and Salzburg. In Germany, it is most prevalent in Bavaria and Hesse. Outside of Austria and Germany, it has been observed in the United States, Canada, and a few other countries
Most Schifferls in these countries have German or Austrian ancestry, and are likely descendants of those who immigrated from the region. It’s unclear how many people still have this surname today, but it is believed that thousands of people around the world still carry the Schifferl name.
In German-speaking countries and communities around the world, many Schifferls today remain active within the local community and still practice traditional customs, such as exchanging gifts and taking part in seasonal meals. As one of Austria and Germany's oldest surnames, it is likely to continue being carried by future generations, albeit below the radar.
Variations of the surname Schifferl
The surname Schifferl has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Schifferl is the original family name of German origin, and other German variants include Schiferl, Schurfl, Schaufel, Shifferl, Schifel and Shifler.
In other Germanic languages the surname is often written Schaffel or Schäffel, and there are variations in Yiddish, as well. In Yiddish the surname is spelled as Shifler or Shifl.
In English the surname is sometimes written as Schiffel, Shifler, Chifferl, or Schiffer.
In records of surnames in other countries, there has also been recorded variations on the spelling such as Szifferl in Hungary, Syfler in Poland, and Szifler in Romania.
Other variants of the name which have been observed include Shiffel, Siffel, and Szifferle in Germany, Sciffer and Tyszfelek in Poland, and Szifferkov, Tsyfleruk, and Tsyflerish in Ukraine.
Some of the more common surnames found in the United States that appear to originate from the same name are Shiffler and Shiflet.
Interestingly, there are also some surnames derived from Schifferl which have developed in different countries, for example, Schifley in Australia, Schiflett from England, Schifley from Scotland, and Schifl in Canada.
Overall, the surname Schifferl has a diverse range of spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Schifferl
- Claudia Schiffer: German supermodel and actress.
- Johannes Schifferl: German inventor and physicist most noted for his discoveries in the field of ground effect machines.
- Walter Schifferl: Austrian politician and diplomat.
- Philipp Schifferl: German sculptor and one of the most influential figures in contemporary art.
- Benedict Schifferl: Austrian architect and urban planner, best known for his work in post-war reconstruction in Vienna and in developing sustainable urban planning strategies.
- Manfred Schifferl: German physician who is credited with a major contribution to the field of medical research by introducing new methods of drug testing and research.
- Katharina Schifferl: German author and scholar, most known for her writings on the religious and spiritual life in Germany.
- Louis E. Schifferl: German-American businessman and philanthropist, co-founder of the Schifferl and Company, one of the largest companies in the United States during the early to mid-20th century.
- Franziska Schifferl: Austrian mathematician who solved an important problem in mathematics, the Unverricht-Rumpe-Problem.
- Alfred Schifferl: German writer and novelist who wrote extensively on the history and culture of Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.