Surname Schiffert - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schiffert: What does the surname Schiffert mean?
The last name Schiffert is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word 'schifrât', meaning 'judge' or 'court official'. It is believed that the surname's bearers were officials of the local court.
People with the surname Schneider may also be from this origin. 'Schifrât' can be seen as a combination of the words 'schif' meaning 'shield' and 'rât' meaning 'counselor'. This combination of words refers to a shield or protection that a judge or court official would provide for his villagers.
Schiffert was also the name of a family of court officials in Nazi Germany. The family was known for their prominent role in anti-Semitism and persecution during the Third Reich period.
The surname Schiffert is still used today in Germany and in parts of the United States and Canada. It has some variations, such as Schifert, Schiffer, Schif, and Schife, which all carry the same meaning.
The last name Schiffert is a reminder of the legacy of its origin and signifies a strong sense of justice and the upholding of the law. Even to this day, individuals with the surname Schiffert strive to provide justice and fairness.
Order DNA origin analysisSchiffert: Where does the name Schiffert come from?
The last name Schiffert is mainly found in Germany, although it can still be found scattered throughout Europe and other countries. The surname is most commonly found in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, where it is the 482nd and 464th most common surname respectively. It is also one of the top 1000 most common surnames in Austria, where it is the 918th most common name. In Swiss canton of Basel-Stadt the name is ranked at number 811.
Outside of Europe, the surname can be found throughout the United States, but especially in Pennsylvania and Ohio. According to the US Census Bureau's 2020 data, it is the 567th most common surnames in the US. It is also common in Canada, in particular the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia.
The Schifferts living in the United States are mainly descendents of German settlers who immigrated to the country in the late 19th century. The spelling of the name often changed as it was assimilated into the local language. For example, one variant of Schiffert in the US is Schifort.
Overall, the name Schiffert is most closely associated with Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the United States. While it can be found scattered throughout other parts of the world, it remains most concentrated in these countries.
Variations of the surname Schiffert
The Schiffert surname has several variants, spellings, and alternate surnames that have the same origin. These include Shaffer, Shafers, Sheaffer, Sheehy, Schiffer, Schiifer, Sheafer, Schifier, Skiver, Shafar, and Shiffer.
The most common spelling, Schiffert, originated from the Middle High German ‘schif’, meaning ‘ship’. This surname was given to the master or owner of a ship or vessel. It was also used to refer to people who worked in other types of water and boat-related occupations, such as boat builders and river navigators.
Shaffer and Shafers are Dutch variants of the name. Sheaffer is of German and Irish origin, while Sheehy is Irish. Schiffer is an old German spelling, while Schiifer and Sheafer are common spellings in eastern Germany. Schifier is a variant also found in Germany and Austria.
The English spelling of Skiver or Shafar is found mostly in Scotland and Ireland, while Shiffer is the most common spelling of the name in the United States.
In general, all these variants, spellings, and surnames of Schiffert have the same origin and meaning. They refer to a person who plays an important role in the shipping and boat industry, and evokes a strong sense of maritime tradition and pride.
Famous people with the name Schiffert
- Chris Schiffert: Chris Schiffert is an American musician, singer, and songwriter best known as the guitarist and vocalist of rock band Saves the Day.
- Bob Schiffert: Bob Schiffert was an American rower who won the gold medal in the double sculls event at the 1920 Summer Olympics.
- Brett Schiffert: Brett Schiffert is an American lacrosse player who was a four-time All-American for Salisbury University and member of the U.S. national team in 2009.
- Ken Schiffert: Ken Schiffert was an American baseball player and manager who spent much of his career working in college baseball.
- Paul Schiffert: Paul Schiffert is a German chemist and expert on surface chemistry who won the 2008 FritzLondon Memorial Prize in Low Temperature Physics.
- Andrew Schiffert: Andrew Schiffert is an American filmmaker known for his critically acclaimed documentaries such as "The Believer" and "The Art of the Steal".
- Richard Schiffert: Richard Schiffert is a scientist at Harvard University who has worked on developing synthetic antibodies to fight cancer.
- Deborah Schiffert: Deborah Schiffert is an American composer and conductor whose works have been performed by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing.
- Sue Schiffert: Sue Schiffert is an American journalist and former editor-in-chief of the Chicago Sun-Times.