Surname Serfass - Meaning and Origin

Serfass: What does the surname Serfass mean?

The last name Serfass originates from German and derives from the occupational name given to a medieval serf, an agricultural labourer who was bound to a particular estate. During more recent eras, some people bearing the Serfass surname may have been one of the many migrating Jews of central Europe.

The literal meaning of Serfass is ‘servant’. It is believed to be an occupational name but is also found in other variations such as Surfac, Sarffaz, Surfass, and Surfass. In some cases, it is also spelt as 'Serfes'.

Today, individuals with the Serfass surname are found throughout Europe, with a significant presence in the United States and Canada. The areas with the highest concentration of the Serfass family name are south-western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and western New England.

The Serfass surname is a record of a family’s ancestry, with the family members’ origin tracing back to Germany. For the most part, the surname suggests a sense of hard work, humble beginnings, and agricultural industry. Serfass families are most certainly proud of their roots and the fact that their name means ‘servant’ serves as an eternal reminder of their legacy.

Serfass: Where does the name Serfass come from?

The last name Serfass is thought to be most commonly found in North America, particularly the United States. Most records indicate that it is German in origin, possibly deriving from the Old High German words “sere” for “free” and “fas” for “swan”. A less likely belief is that it could have been derived from “servas” for “servant” or “servator” meaning “guard”.

The highest concentrations of the Serfass last name appear to be in cities and states in the north and east of America, particularly Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and Virginia. The name has also cropped up in places like Mexico, Venezuela, and Germany.

The Serfass surname is uncommon, but it’s not particularly rare — it is estimated to be held by somewhere between 1,100 and 6,700 people in the US alone. This suggests that the name is quite old and may have spread across the country at some point in its history, possibly as a result of immigration.

It’s possible that the name gained some prominence during World War II when two of its members — Harry and August — were held up as examples of bravery for participating in the Battle of the Bulge. It’s even been suggested that the name may have been derived from the Latin word “serf” and may have been used to denote a person who took part in an act of bravery in an attempt to gain freedom.

Overall, the Serfass name seems to be quite rare today, with its concentration mainly in the northern and eastern United States, although it can still be found in a variety of countries across the planet.

Variations of the surname Serfass

The surname Serfass is of German origin. It is a variation of the surname Sarfas, which is derived from the personal name Serf or Sarf, which means “servant” or “servitude” in old German. The surname has been changed over time and is now found spelled variously as Serfass, Sarfass, Sarfuss, Sarfose, Serfasia, Sarfaze, Sarfase, Serfaces, Sarfasia, Serepase, and Serfaasis. It is also known to appear as an anglicized surname being spelled as Serfus, Surfas and Surfaces.

In some cases, the Latin form of the name, Sarfasius, is also used. As with many German surnames, various spelling variations and alternate spellings were adopted for different branches of the family. For instance, some branches of the Serfass family in the early 19th century spelled their surname Sarfas or Sarfos.

The surname is still relatively common within Germany, with over 19,000 citizens bearing the name. It is also found in France, the United States, Israel, Canada, and Brazil.

Famous people with the name Serfass

• Ruben Serfass: A Senegalese basketball player who played in the French leagues and starred for the Senegal national team.
• Conor Serfass: American mixed martial artist who is currently competing in the heavyweight division of the African MMA scene.
• Edith Serfass: American actress and screenwriter who was part of the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live for several years.
• Alan Serfass: American television producer and writer who has worked on shows such as Friends, Mad About You, and Malcolm in the Middle.
• Dick Serfass: American film director and screenwriter best known for his comedy films such as Vacation, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and Three Amigos!
• Tom Serfass: German high jumper who won the silver medal at the 2008 European Championships in Athletics.
• Jennifer Serfass: American singer-songwriter best known for her hit single "Love Story".
• Janet Serfass: American Broadway producer and stage manager who was awarded five Tony Awards throughout her career.
• Joe Serfass: Professional American football player who played for the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys.
• John Serfass: American politician who was a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1983 to 1995.

Other surnames

Serfas