Surname Shurtlef - Meaning and Origin
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Shurtlef: What does the surname Shurtlef mean?
Shurtleff is an English surname, and like many last names from the region, it is likely derived from a geographical location or profession. It's believed to be derived from an Old English pre 7th Century name "Scirwudu", combining the elements 'scir', meaning bright or fair, and 'wudu', meaning wood. Thus it might have been given to those living near a bright wood or forest. Alternatively, it could be derived from the term "shirreve", an old term for sheriff, and "leah", a clearing or meadow, hinting at the occupation of the individual or their family. Surnames generally acted as identifiers in the past, denoting an individual's occupation, location, or father's name (patronym). However, the exact origin of the name Shurtleff isn't clearly known. It is common in the United States, particularly in the Massachusetts area. So, the Shurtleff surname may indicate either a geographical origin or an ancestral occupation, depending on its actual root word.
Order DNA origin analysisShurtlef: Where does the name Shurtlef come from?
The last name Shurtlef is found predominantly in the United States today. According to the US Census Bureau, Shurtlef is the 3,466th most common surname in the country, with around 8,089 individuals bearing this name.
Most of the Shurtlefs in the US are located in the Midwestern and Western states. The states with the biggest concentration of Shurtlefs include Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin, Texas, and Illinois. Nearly 80% of the people with this name live in Missouri and Indiana alone.
The origination of the Shurtlef surname is unknown, however, there are a few theories. It could be derived from the Germanic name ‘Schiltrup’, which derives from the German word ‘schiltruppen’, meaning a ‘brigade of warriors or shield bears’. It is also possible the last name Shurtlef is a variation of the English surname ‘Shurtleff’, and may have been adopted by some members of this family who settled in the US from England in the 1700s.
Due to its Germanic roots, Shurtlef is most common among German and Eastern European immigrants and their descendants. The vast majority of Shurtlefs in the US today are of German descent, with some non-German immigrants bearing the quaint surname as well.
It appears that the Shurtlef surname is much more common in the United States than elsewhere in the world. According to worldnames.publicprofiler.org, the only other country with a significant presence of Shurtlefs is Canada, where it is the 9,711th most common surname.
Overall, the last name Shurtlef is most commonly found in the United States today, with a considerable presence in Canada as well.
Variations of the surname Shurtlef
The surname Shurtlef is the anglicization of the original German name Schurtelf. It originated from the German word ‘schurken’, meaning ‘rogue’ or ‘cheater’. The Shurtlef surname is found in countries around the world that have German origins, including the United States, Germany, and Switzerland.
Variations on the name Shurtlef include Schurtelf, Schurtelff, Schurtelf, Shurtleff, Schurtleff, Schuttlef, and Schuttelef. Alternate spellings include Shurtelff, Shurtleff, Schurtelfs, Shurtelf, and Shurtellf.
There are also a number of related surnames with similar meanings and origins to the name Shurtlef. These include Sharpley, Shurlet, Shurlett, Schurman, Shurmann, and Shurtliff.
The Shurtlef surname is still relatively uncommon, with few reaching up into the top 1000 surnames. It is also very old, having origins in 17th-century Germany, but it has certainly spread around the world since then. It is interesting to note the variations it has taken on as it has been adapted across multiple countries and cultures.
Famous people with the name Shurtlef
- Jordan Shurtleff: Canadian model
- Ray Shurtleff: former Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
- Ralph Shurtleff: U.S. Representative from New Hampshire
- Larry Shurtleff: American actor
- Wilbur R. Shurtleff: American politician
- Leonard Shurtleff: American politician
- Orrin Shurtleff: former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
- Matt Shurtleff: American Jazz guitarist
- Willis P. Shurtleff: former U.S. Navy rear admiral
- Tyler Shurtleff: American professional wrestler