Surname Schifferle - Meaning and Origin
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Schifferle: What does the surname Schifferle mean?
The last name Schifferle is a German surname that is derived from the old German word "schiffe", which translates to mean ships or vessels. It is believed that the surname was originally given to families of boatmen or ship builders.
The spelling of the surname is generally consistent throughout Europe with the German spelling of "Schifferle", while in other parts of the world including the US, it may be found as "Schifferl" or "Schifferli".
Traditionally, the surname Schifferle has been a common family name among many German regions and was particularly popular in Austria during the late 18th and 19th centuries. It is likely that during this time, many families with the surname "Schifferle" emigrated to other countries including the US, the Netherlands, and Canada.
The surname Schifferle is still quite common today and is thought to have many various meanings including a skiff or ferry boat dweller, an oarsman, a ferryman, or a messenger on a boat. Additionally, the surname Schifferle could also be an occupational name derived from the word "schiffer", which means a sailor, and "le", a suffix for one who does or makes something.
Order DNA origin analysisSchifferle: Where does the name Schifferle come from?
The last name Schifferle is most commonly found in German-speaking regions. It is a frequent surname in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, particularly in regions along the Rhine and Alpine regions. It is also sometimes found in neighboring countries such as France and Italy. According to surname distribution estimates from Forebears, the last name Schifferle ranks around 1,495th in Switzerland, 6,398th in Austria, 2,273th in France, and 13,766th in the United States.
The origins of the name Schifferle are likely based in a descriptive term for a boatman or sailor. The name is derived from the German word "Schiffer," which means "boatman" or "sailor," and a diminutive ending "-le," meaning "little." It is also possible that the name may have originated from a topographic name, derived from living near a pond or pool.
The oldest records of the Schifferle family name date back to 1482 in Austria. According to a history of the German-language house names, the first recorded spelling of the name was Johannis Zieverle, dated to 1482 in Germany. The name can be found in various archives and records dating from as far back as the 16th and 17th centuries in German- and French-speaking regions.
Variations of the surname Schifferle
The surname Schifferle is an occupational, or job-based, surname of German origin. It is derived from the German word “schiffer”, meaning boatman or sailor. Throughout the ages, this surname has evolved in many different ways and variants.
Most common variant spellings of Schifferle include Schaefferle, Schaferlein, Schifferlin, Schaefflerin, Schaerflein, Schaffler, Schaefferling, Schuferlin, Schaeferlein, and Shufferleen.
Some of the surnames having the same origin as the Schifferle surname are Schmiederle, Schwebler, Schmaederer, Schlieferle, Schuchardt, Schugerde, Schuler, Schuettler, Schuele, Schraner, Schuegel, Schimmel, and Schreser.
In some cases, foreign spellings of the surname Schifferle have been changed in order to make the name more pronounceable for English speakers. These spells may include Spieler, Schefflin, Sipherle, Schupell, Spifferle, Sifferler, Swoefler, Schefeler, Shaeferle, Schaifferly, Saferly, Seifer, Sceafeler, and Schuferli.
Regardless of the spelling, the surname Schifferle has roots in German, and was likely used to refer to a boatman or sailor in the past. It has evolved over time in different ways and can now be found in many different variants.
Famous people with the name Schifferle
- Claudia Schiffer: German model, actress and fashion designer.
- Annemarie Schifferle: Austrian sprinter who competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics.
- Jacob Schifferle: American actor and the first professional comedian in New York.
- Josef Schifferle: Austrian sculptor and wood carver.
- John Schifferle: American polymath and author, most famous for his book, The Unreality of Time.
- Paul Schifferle: Swiss cellular immunologist, known for his work in the field of oncology.
- James Schifferle: German-American industrialist, philanthropist, and one of the 13 original founders of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team.
- Pierre Schifferle: French fighter pilot who served in WWII and was credited with downing 22 enemy planes.
- Jean-Baptiste Schifferle: Swiss sculptor and architect.
- Ludwig Schifferle: German astronomer who worked on early calculations of the orbits of comets and asteroids.