Surname Shauf - Meaning and Origin

Shauf: What does the surname Shauf mean?

The last name Shauf is thought to be of Germanic origin, though its exact roots are unclear. It may be derived from the Old German word for ‘shaven,’ which was a descriptive name given to someone who had shaved their head. An alternate theory suggests the name may have arisen as a nickname for someone who was ‘clean-shaven’ or ‘smooth-shaven’, compared to those sporting longer beards. In some cases, the surname could also have been used to describe a person who habitually shaved their head or were bald.

In more recent times, the surname Shauf is most commonly found in the United States and Canada, as many immigrants from the German states bestowed this name upon their descendants. During WWI, German immigrants who chose to Anglicize their surname sometimes opted to change it to Shaver.

In Scotland, the surname Shauf has been recorded in the Lowlands and Borders since the 16th century. Many spellings of the name exist today, such as Schaaf, Schaff, Shauff, Schafft, and Shouf.

The most famous bearer of the name Shauf is American folk singer-songwriter Andy Shauf. He has released five solo studio albums between 2010 and 2020, and is widely known for his lyrical storytelling and melancholic sound.

Overall, the last name Shauf has a long and varied history, though it’s exact origin is still unknown. Throughout the centuries, many people have held this name, whether it be in Germany, the United States, Canada, or Scotland.

Like many surnames, Shauf remains an important part of its bearer’s identity, often representing a rich and unique history dating back centuries.

Shauf: Where does the name Shauf come from?

The last name Shauf is present in various countries, including the United States, Canada, Germany, and Croatia. In the United States, the name is primarily concentrated in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana, but can also be found in other states. In Canada, the name is mostly found in Ontario and British Columbia. Germany is another country where Shauf is quite popular, particularly in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Croatia is also home to quite a few Shauf households.

The origin of the last name is not known, although there are some theories. Some experts suggest that it is an anglicized version of the German name Schauf, which is derived from the German word schaufeln, meaning to shovel. Others believe that it originates from a German soldier named Schauf who immigrated to America in the 19th century.

The Shauf name can still be found in many countries around the world. In the United States, about fifteen hundred people bear the name, while roughly two thousand people are recorded in Canada. Germany and Croatia are also popular destinations for Shaufs, with nearly fifteen hundred people bearing the name accounted for in each country.

Variations of the surname Shauf

The surname Shauf is believed to have originated in Germany and is also found in Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands. As with any surname, the spellings and variants of Shauf depend on its language of origin and migration patterns over the years.

In German, Shauf is spelled Schauf. In Dutch and Afrikaans, it is spelled Schaaf; in French, it is Sceaux. Other similar-sounding last names include Schaf (German), Schoff (Swiss-German), Shaff (English), Schaaf (Dutch, Afrikaans), Schoffel (Dutch), Schoof (Dutch, German), Scoville (English), and Schoffen (Dutch).

Apart from the variants of the Shauf surname, there are also certain branches of the same root name. The German branch of this surname is called Schauffenberger, a name which translates to a “shoemaker” or “hat maker.” Similarly, the Swiss-German branch is known as Schouweiler. This means “broom maker.”

The surname Shauf has been found in other places than the countries of origin. It is believed to have been adopted in the United States as early as the 1700s. It is possible that during this time, the spelling and pronunciation changed, resulting in various spellings of the surname.

Regardless of languages or migrations, one thing is certain: all variants of the surname Shauf still refer to the same origin and to the same extended family.

Famous people with the name Shauf

• Andy Shauf: Andy Shauf is a Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. With minimal production, his thoughtful, literary folk-pop has echoes of vintage 1970s singer/songwriters.
• Michael Shauf: Michael Shauf is an American songwriter, producer, and mixer. His most acclaimed act is supplying blues-rockers The War On Drugs with some of their biggest hits, including “Strangest Thing”.
• Carlyn Shauf: Carlyn Shauf is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. She began her musical career in her teens, self-releasing albums of summery pop before joining indie-rock band The Beaches and garnering acclaim with their single “T-Shirt”.
• Ben Shauf: Ben Shauf is an independent Canadian singer-songwriter. He has recorded four albums of pop, folk, and country-tinged music that have established him as a leading light in the Canadian music scene.
• Colin Shauf: Colin Shauf is a Canadian actor best known for playing Clarence in the sci-fi series Andromeda. He has also featured in the films Way of the Wicked and Kettles.
• Cole Shauf: Cole Shauf is an American country music singer and songwriter. His songs straddle the divide between traditional and modern country, full of narrative storytelling and heartfelt emotion.
• Richard Shauf: Richard Shauf is an American professional polo player and businessman. He is the founder of Shauffers Polo, a luxury apparel brand catering to the world's elite polo players.

Other surnames

ShauffShaughnessy