Surname Seifert - Meaning and Origin
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read moreSeifert: What does the surname Seifert mean?
The last name Seifert is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "seifert" or "seifenher", which means a soaper, or one who makes and sells soap. As such, this surname can be classified as an occupational surname, referring to a job or trade that was passed down from generation to generation and was likely to be a common name many centuries ago in Germany.
Seifert has spread throughout Europe from its German roots, remaining fairly common and widespread throughout the continent. Nowadays, the name is particularly popular in Germany, Poland, Austria, and the Czech Republic, with a smaller number of families in the United States.
In the United States, the Seiferts are most concentrated in the states of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan, likely due to the large influx of Europeans in the mid-to-late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Seifert surname is still fairly common in German vocabulary and carries with it many proud associations with the German heritage and culture. It can often be found in the names of businesses, particularly in Germany, as soap-making was historically a very important trade in the Germanic countries. Although the Seifert family has spread throughout the world, the original source of its name is still recounted in its language and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisSeifert: Where does the name Seifert come from?
The last name Seifert is most common in Germany today. According to the Deutsche Namenstatistik, which ranks the most common last names in Germany, Seifert is the 270th most common name in the country.
The name is believed to have descended from medieval German names such as Seiffert or Seifferding. These names originated from an Old Germanic word meaning "sword" or "knife." The modern spelling of the name likely evolved after the Middle High German period.
The earliest known occurrence of the name Seifert was in the 13th century in Paderborn, Germany. Since then, it has spread throughout the country and is well represented in many regions. The largest concentration of the name is in Bavaria, where it ranks 20th in terms of popularity. It is also common in Brandenburg, Saxony, and Sachsen-Anhalt. The prevalence of the name has also spread to other regions, such as Poland and the Czech Republic.
Today, Seifert remains the 270th most common surname in Germany, and is also common throughout much of Central and Eastern Europe. While the origins of the name remain uncertain, it is clear that its legacy has endured for centuries.
Variations of the surname Seifert
The Seifert surname originates from Germany. It is derived from the pre-seventh century 'Seifarth', which is an occupational name for someone who manufactured sieves. Alternatives to the spelling of 'Seifert' include Seiffert, Seifrar, Seiffer, Seifrith, Zifer, Siferd, Sivert, Syferd, Sfert, and Seyfert.
The Seifert surname is commonly found in the east of Germany, particularly in the area of Brandenburg and Saxony. It is also found in other parts of Europe. In addition to Germany, it is found in other countries including Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, and the United States.
There are several variants of the Seifert surname, including 'Siefert', which is an anglicised version. Other variants include Saxon versions, such as 'Säfert', 'Säifert', and 'Säfer'; Rhineland versions', such as 'Seifertz', 'Säifertz', and 'Seiffer'; as well as 'felder' versions of the name, which means 'a cultivator', including 'Säfeler', 'Ziefeler', 'Zeifeler', and 'Zifeler'.
These numerous variations of the Seifert surname can cause confusion when researching genealogy, so it is important to remain vigilant and understand the range of different spellings and surnames that are synonymous with the Seifert name.
Famous people with the name Seifert
- Joseph Seifert: Austrian philosopher
- Bill Seifert: American racing driver
- Joe Seifert: American Olympic freestyle wrestler
- Lori Seifert: American former basketball player
- Keeley Seifert: American gimnast
- Jordan Seifert: Canadian football player
- Max Seifert: German palaeontologist
- Paul Seifert: Haitian-Swiss biochemist
- John Seifert: American businessman
- Brian Seifert: Australian mixed martial artist