Surname Seifers - Meaning and Origin
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Seifers: What does the surname Seifers mean?
Seifers is a German surname with an uncertain etymology, although it is thought to come from a combination of old German words meaning "saber" (seif) and "spear" (ers). It is likely that this surname was given to those who were skilled with weapons, either as a profession or as a hobby.
The earliest known mention of the surname Seifers dates back to 1531, when a woman by the name of Susanna Seifers was recorded in the city records of Frankfurt, Germany. It is believed that the Seifers family originated in Bavaria and came to settle in Frankfurt, where they may have been employed in the local armorers' shops and armament making industry.
Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the surname Seifers spread throughout Germany and surrounding countries, appearing in records for Austria, Poland, and Prussia. Records show the Seifers family serving in military ranks, including the nobility as well as the working class.
In recent years, the Seifers family has spread to other parts of the world, particularly in North America. Here, the Seifers family may be self-employed in various industries ranging from military to craftsmanship and small business. Those of the Seifers family in the 21st century often feel strongly connected to their homeland, and many carry traditions of past generations with them.
Order DNA origin analysisSeifers: Where does the name Seifers come from?
The surname Seifers is most common in Germany today. It was first recorded in Germany in Prussia in the mid-17th century. Since then, it has been found in Prussian and German documents such as parish records, ship manifests, and vital statistics.
Seifers is also found in Switzerland, particularly in the cantons of Basel, Schaffhausen, and Geneva. Historically, it was also very common in other regions of Europe including Austria, Hungary, and Poland.
The prevalence of Seifers in Germany is likely due to its long history in the country, with many of the earliest Seifers stemming from the Rhine-Ruhr region of Germany and from Westphalia. This name tends to be most common in the western parts of Germany, such as North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. The name is also found in Bavaria, Hamburg, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Hesse.
The Seifers surname is fairly rare outside of Europe. Though the name was brought to the United States by German immigrants, it has not remained very popular there. Nonetheless, there are a few Seifers spread around the world, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.
Variations of the surname Seifers
The Seifers surname has many variants, spellings, and different surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common variants include Sievers, Seiferts, Sifers, and Seyferts. Other variants include Sifrid, Seyfers, Szepers, Szefers, Seifried, and Seiferth.
Sievers is believed to be derived from a place name found in various parts of Germany, and is typically a variation of the name Seifers. Seiferts is a variation of Seifers found in northern Germany, and the name Sifers is derived from the Middle High German name "siph" meaning seaman or sailor.
Seiferth is another variant derived from the Middle High German name "sefert" meaning prosperous, and Seyfers is an abbreviation of the Slavic name "skypert" meaning shearman or tailor. Sifrid, Seyferts, and Szepers are all derived from the Germanic name "seifruod," which referred to a person resolute or slightly ill-tempered.
Finally, Szefers is derived from the old German surname "Siefer," which is thought to come from the Middle High German name "sifern" meaning "solute" or "commander."
Overall, the Seifers surname has many variants, spellings, and associated surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Seifers
- Sean Seifers: a professional soccer player for Orlando City SC.
- Mandy Seifers: an actress, model, and musician.
- Paul Seifers: a figure skater and four-time world champion.
- Mike Seifer: a professional snowboarder and skier.
- Gary Seifers: a former US Olympic sprinter.
- Brian Seifers: a professional golfer.
- Pat Seifers: an NCAA men's basketball champion.
- Joe Seifers: a professional bodybuilder.
- Mark Seifers: an American musician and playwright.
- Martin Seifers: a professional football coach and former player.