Surname Serfas - Meaning and Origin

Serfas: What does the surname Serfas mean?

The last name Serfas is a German and Polish surname. The root of the name comes from the word “arfas”, which means “servant”. This suggests the original bearer of the name was probably a servant in origin.

The surname may have originally been used to indicate the occupation of the original bearer's father, or may have simply been adopted as it was a popular name in the area. It is likely that the family originally lived in an area where Germanic or Slavic languages were spoken, such as Germany, Austria, Poland, or even parts of Eastern Europe.

Serfas is thought to refer to someone with a strong sense of service and commitment, qualities that were important in an era when people relied on one another for survival. The name may also refer to nobility, as these individuals were often in a position of authority.

Among both Germanic and Slavic populations, the surname Serfas is still common today. With changes in language and cultures, however, the meaning of this surname has changed, and now it is a symbolic name that has come to stand for an unwavering sense of loyalty.

Serfas: Where does the name Serfas come from?

The surname Serfas is an uncommon but globally distributed surname, which is primarily found in Canada and the United States. Places with higher concentrations of people bearing the last name Serfas are located primarily in the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Ontario. In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, California, and New Jersey.

The surname Serfas is believed to have originated in Germany. One theory is that the name is derived from the Medieval German word "serf," which is indicative of someone who occupied a position similar to a slave. The name may also have a connection with the Dutch-German word "sarff," which was a nickname derived from the word for "serf." It is likely that the family with the name spread to Canada and the United States in the 1700s and 1800s with German immigrants.

In more recent times, the Serfas name has been passed down from generation to generation in families around North America. It is also possible that the descendants of Serfas immigrants have added their own unique variations to the family name, such as adding an extra "f" to make "Serffas," or removing a letter to form "Sarfas."

Aside from residential locations, the surname Serfas is often found in public records, such as official documents, land and property records, and archives. It is also sometimes found as a component of genealogical databases online. Ultimately, the last name Serfas is still very much alive today even if it is not as common in some regions as it once was.

Variations of the surname Serfas

The surname Serfas is of German origin and is generally spelled with an "f". Other variants and spellings of Serfas include Sarfas, Sarfass, Sarff, Serff, and Serffass.

Sarfas and Serfas are most likely derived from the Old German words "saraf" or "sarf," meaning servant, and "des," meaning of, making the literal translation of the name “Servant of."

An alternate theory is that it was derived from the Old German word "scraffminn," meaning "lawyer."

The name is also seen as a variant of the surname Serra, or the Italian word for “saw,” which is a sign of a carpenter or toolmaker.

Common surnames of similar origin to Serfas include Sarfa, Scharff, Scharf, Serfa, Serff, Sarff, Sarfass, and Serffass. Other possible variants and spellings are Sahfas, Serffin, Serfins, Sarffes, Sorfas, and Soref. All of these surnames may have also been altered to some extent over the years due to immigration and natural language evolutions.

To conclude, although there are many variants and spellings of the surname Serfas, they all originate from a common Germanic language and share the same meaning of "servant of."

Famous people with the name Serfas

• Mark Serfas- American professional photographer and pioneer in adventure sports photography.
• Leland Serfas- American painter, cartoonist, graphic designer, and visual artist.
• Jason Serfas- Professional triathlete and 4th place finisher at the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship.
• Barbara Ann Serfas- American artist recognized for her vibrant depictions of abstract still lifes.
• John Serfas- American contemporary artist specializing in oil on canvas, bronze and resin sculptures.
• Dallame Serfas- Comic book artist and illustrator specializing in science fiction and horror.
• Emilio Serfas- American landscape painter known for his luminous atmospheric paintings.
• Matthew Serfas- Internationally acclaimed figure skater.
• Justin Serfas- Professional golfer and winner of the 2006 PGA Professional National Championship.
• Mike Serfas- Professional ice hockey player in the American Hockey League.

Other surnames

Serfass