Surname Schiffermann - Meaning and Origin

Schiffermann: What does the surname Schiffermann mean?

The last name Schiffermann is a German surname derived from the Old German word 'Schiffer', which means skipper or sailor. This likely indicates that the first bearers of the Schiffermann name were sailors or ship captains. It may also have been a profession name for a person who worked as a ferryman on a river.

The surname Schiffermann is uncommon in Germany and is mostly found in the northern regions of the country, particularly in Saxony, Lower Saxony, and Westphalia. In recent times, however, due to the movement of people throughout Europe, the name has spread to other countries.

The surname Schiffermann is made up of two elements. The first part, ‘Schiffer’, is derived from the Germanic word ‘schif’, meaning boat. The second part, ‘mann’, simply means man. So, taken together, Schiffermann literally translates to ‘man of the boat’.

Surnames can reveal much about an individual’s past and their ancestors. Those bearing the Schiffermann name can take much pride in their German heritage and the seafaring tradition of their ancestors who were among the first to carry this surname.

Schiffermann: Where does the name Schiffermann come from?

The last name Schiffermann is most commonly found in Germany and the United States. In Germany, it is most common in the large cities of Frankfurt am Main, Munich, and Berlin, as well as in the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse. In the United States, the last name Schiffermann is most prevalent in California and New York. It is also reasonably common in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

In Germany, the last name Schiffermann originates from the German word “shiffer” which means “to ship”. This indicates that the name comes from those who worked on ships or in some related trade. On the other hand, the American branch of the last name is often linked to a 17th-century immigrant who left the Palatinate region of Germany headed towards the New World.

Due to the growing number of immigrants moving to the United States from Germany as well as those of German ancestry, the last name Schiffermann continues to be increasingly common in the United States. It is likely for this reason that the last name Schiffermann is most commonly found in the United States today.

Variations of the surname Schiffermann

The surname Schiffermann is of German origin and it can be seen in various spellings and variants. Some of the spellings include: Schifermann, Schifermann, Schiffermen, Schifermen, Schiferman and Schiffermen. This name is most often seen with the "mann" ending, but there are also variants without it.

Another variant of this surname is Schiffer. This is mainly seen amongAshkenazi Jews, and is derived from the eastern Yiddish name Shifra, meaning beautiful. It is also seen as Schiffen, Schifen, Schiff and Shiffen.

This surname is also occasionally seen as Schiferman, with the "r" at the end of the name instead of the "n". It is also seen in the form of Schifferman as well.

In addition, there are some other surnames that are related to this one. These include Schifferlein, Schiffbaumer, Schiffmacher, Schifferl, and Schifferle. All of these variations are derived from the Middle High German word "schifman", meaning sailor.

Overall, the surname Schiffermann has been seen in various spellings and variants throughout the years. It has a rich history and was used by those from German and Jewish backgrounds. As such, there are numerous forms of this name, from Schifermann to Schifferlein, making it a unique and interesting surname to research and explore.

Famous people with the name Schiffermann

• Augustus Frederick Schiffermann (1823-1890) was a prominent 19th century writer, poet, and translator.
• Carl Schiffermann (1828-1897) was a German historian and professor at the University of Heidelberg.
• Johann Georg Schiffermann (1838-1908) was a German theologian and Orientalist.
• Emil Schiffermann (1845-1923) was a German architect and professor of architecture at the Berlin Institute of Technology.
• Julius Schiffermann (1856-1933) was a German lawyer and professor of jurisprudence at the University of Heidelberg.
• Ludwig Schiffermann (1860-1932) was a German professor of law at the University of Berlin and author of several legal textbooks.
• Fritz Ernest J. Schiffermann (1863–1924) was a German painter and graphic artist.
• Rudolf Schiffermann (1882–1943) was a German painter and illustrator.
• Otto Schiffermann (1883-1946) was a German writer and poet.
• Max Schiffermann (1888-1937) was a German dramatist and film producer.
• Hans-Joachim Schiffermann (1915-2008) was a German lawyer and politician.
• Wolf-Rüdiger Schiffermann (born 1952) is a German computer scientist and professor of informatics at the University of Osnabrück.
• Michal Schiffermann (born 1970) is an Israeli actress and theater director.
• Gregor Schiffermann (born 1973) is a German film maker, director, and producer.
• Alexander Schiffermann (born 1975) is a German musician and media artist.
• Naftali Schiffermann (born 1984) is an Israeli-German chess grandmaster.

Other surnames

Schiffermüller