Surname Shiflet - Meaning and Origin

Shiflet: What does the surname Shiflet mean?

The surname Shiflet is of French origin, predominantly found in the regions of Gascony and Languedoc in the southern part of France. The name is believed to have come from a medieval French word "chevrelet" which, when translated to English, means "young goat". The term was usually given as a nickname to individuals who possessed the attributes of a young goat such as being agile, energetic, and lively. Over time, due to variations in regional pronunciations, "chevrelet" evolved to become Shiflet. So, the Shiflet surname typically identifies a person's characteristics or their geographic location. However, it's important to remember that surnames evolved over centuries and may have different meanings in different linguistic, regional, and temporal contexts.

Shiflet: Where does the name Shiflet come from?

The family name Shiflet is North American in origin and is mainly found in the southeastern United States today. It is most common in the state of Virginia, where records indicate that the family settled in the early 1700s. They moved mostly to the counties in the Piedmont region of Virginia such as Albemarle, Prince Edward, and Charlotte counties. Later, the name Shiflet began to spread to the adjacent states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.

The name is derived from the German word "Schiflayer," which is an occupational name for a roof-tiler or builder. The descendants of the Shiflets living in the Southern states still maintain the name and its traditional spelling. However, variations of the spelling can be found in different parts of the country, such as Schiflet, Schiflets, Sheflet, Sheble, and Shifflet.

Today, the number of households with the last name Shiflet has increased across the United States due to the ongoing waves of migration from all over the world. It is estimated that the population of Shiflets has tripled since the start of the 21st century, although many are still concentrated in the Southeast.

Variations of the surname Shiflet

The Shiflet surname has many variants, spellings, and even surnames of the same origin. The most common spelling is Shiflet, but it can also be spelled Shiftlet, Shifflet, Shiftlett, Schiflet, Shifflet, Scheiflet, and Schifflett. It is common to have multiple spellings for the same name, especially within families.

This surname is of German, Scottish, Welsh, and English origin. It is thought to have derived from the German Schiflitz, which was the name of a small town in Saxony. It is also found in Scotland, derived from the family name Chunter. In Wales, the surname relates to the Welsh form of the placename Chepstow in Monmouthshire. In English, it was a topographic name for someone who lived by a steep slope (“shiflet” being a Middle English term).

The surnames associated with Shiflet vary by region. In Germany, the surname spelled Scheepflet may be a variant. In Scotland, the surname “Challenor”, “Challoner”, “Childers” and “Capple” could all be related. In Wales, the surname is commonly spelled “Schifflet” and “Shefflett”. In England, a variant of this surname was “ShePhysley” or “Shifly”.

In summary, the most common spelling for the surname Shiflet is Shiflet, but there are many other variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin that are related. From these, there is a wide range of spellings and associated surnames which cover many different regions.

Famous people with the name Shiflet

• Trey Shiflet: Former professional baseball player and current coach at Penn State University.
• Georgia Shiflet: Broadway and film actress best known for her roles in the musicals Fiddler on the Roof and Grease.
• Dean Shiflet: Accomplished American musician and songwriter who toured with various bands like The American String Quartet and En vele Bands.
• Reg Shiflet: Award-winning composer, orchestra conductor and instructor who wrote music for the movies “Ernest Goes to Camp” and “Mountain of the Cannibal God.”
• Phil Shiflet: A well-known country artist and songwriter who wrote many of Johnny Cash’s famous songs.
• Jack Shiflet: Poplar stand-up comedian and actor, known for his appearances on shows such as Saturday Night Live and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
• Chris Shiflet: Record producer and mixing engineer, best known for his work with Blink-182 and Rodskytron.
• Dove Shiflet: Award-winning songwriter and vocalist, known for her work with artists like Joan Baez and Mariah Carey.
• Liz Shiflet: Award-winning documentary filmmaker and photographer.
• Elodie Shiflet: Famous French chanteuses, known for albums like “A C’est L’amour” and “La Femme Qui N’a Pas De Tel.”

Other surnames

Shiflett