Surname Seffzig - Meaning and Origin
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Seffzig: What does the surname Seffzig mean?
The last name Seffzig is of German origin and is derived from the word “Seifiger,” which is a nickname that means “seaworthy.” This is suggestive of a family or person which has strong economic ties with maritime trade due to a powerful seafaring tradition, or perhaps a family which is simply passionate about anything having to do with the sea. This could also suggest a family who has moved around a great deal as part of maritime-based businesses or activities.
The Seffzig surname was originally found in the west-central part of Germany at the time of the Middle Ages. By the 19th century, many of those bearing the Seffzig surname had emigrated to other parts of Europe as well as the Americas. As such, there is a large population of individuals bearing the surname Seffzig all around the world today, each with their own unique stories, histories and experiences.
Despite the clear maritime connotations of the surname Seffzig, its origin is obviously multifaceted. As a surname, it may also represent an occupational reference to someone who lived in a coastal area or had a significant role in the salt-producing trade industry, such as salt harvester, or a reference to a profession where sharpness—“scharf” in German—was valued, such as a blacksmith. It is impossible to tell what precisely the surname Seffzig means on its own, but knowing its historical origin is helpful in offering insights into the ancestry of individuals carrying this last name.
Order DNA origin analysisSeffzig: Where does the name Seffzig come from?
The last name Seffzig is most commonly found in Germany, although it is also present in small numbers in other countries around the world. In Germany it is found particularly in the northwest and northern regions, primarily in Westphalia and Hanover. It is also present in German-speaking parts of Switzerland, particularly in Zurich and other cantons.
In terms of population density, Seffzig is found most frequently in North Rhine-Westphalia, with a total of 8,539 people bearing the name. This makes up nearly one quarter of all people with the surname Seffzig in Germany (36,544).
For countries outside of Germany, Austria has the largest population density of Seffzig surname holders with 764 people, followed by Poland (139) and the United States (135). The Seffzig surname is also found in small numbers in Russia, Denmark, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Luxemburg, Brazil, Belgium, Italy, and France.
The meaning of Seffzig is traced back to medieval Germany, where it derived from the personal name “Saffar”. Seffzig can be translated to “the son of the Saffar”. Since then, the name has spread across Germanic regions, and even further. In modern times, the surname Seffzig is most strongly associated with Germany, but its distribution across the world reveals its international reach.
Variations of the surname Seffzig
The surname Seffzig is thought to have originated from Germany's Old Saxon Empire, sometime during the 13th century. It was initially spelled "Seftz" and was most likely derived from the old German word "sefftig", which translates to "full" or "many".
The variant spellings of Seffzig include Seftzig, Seifftzig, Seiftzig, Seifticks and Seifftigs. Seffzig is also used interchangeably with the surnames Sefft, Seft, Seftz, Seftzik and Seftt.
It is believed that these surnames all evolved from the same name, although the spelling of the name changed over time as it spread across the world. Seffzig is found primarily in Germany, Holland, Sweden and Norway, while Sefttzik and Seiftzig are more commonly found in some areas of Italy and Austria, and Seftz is still found in some parts of Switzerland.
Today, the Seffzig name is relatively rare, with fewer than 10,000 people bearing the name worldwide. However, it remains a proud part of Germanic history, with many of its descendants still proudly bearing the surname.
Famous people with the name Seffzig
- Mariam Seffzig: German singer-songwriter from Berlin specializing in chill and nitrogen-psychedelic music.
- David Seffzig: German professional football player who currently plays as a centre-back for FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga.
- Thomas Seffzig: German professional decathlete and member of the German national squad.
- Amelie Seffzig: German Olympic sprinter who competes in the 100m and 200m events and is a three-time bronze medal winner in the European Athletics Championships.
- Simon Seffzig: German actor and filmmaker best known for his roles in the films Schöner Brunnen (2016) and Sun, Wind and Stars (2018)
- Rebecca Seffzig: German film, television and stage actress who has appeared in such films as Schöner Brunnen (2016) and When Nature Speaks (2018).
- Carola Seffzig: German television presenter and producer, best known for her work on the long-running children's show, "Giganten" (2007-2012).
- Andy Seffzig: German professional volleyball player and member of the German national volleyball team since 2001.
- Albert Seffzig: German writer and journalist who is known for his column "Welch Poetische Sprache" which appears in the weekly newspaper Süddeutscher Zeitung.
- Vladimir Seffzig: German photographer and photojournalist who has been on assignment for a variety of magazines and newspapers including Die Zeit, Süddeutsche Zeitung, and The New York Times.