Surname Stauffenberg - Meaning and Origin

Stauffenberg: What does the surname Stauffenberg mean?

The last name Stauffenberg is a traditionally German last name, sometimes spelled Staufenberger. It is composed of two elements, “Stauf” and “berg”, literally translating to “stronghold” and “mountain”, respectively. This suggests that the surname has roots in a family’s origin that involve potentially being atop a stronghold in the mountains, and this name originates from the medieval times.

The name is especially famous because of the Stauffenberg family of the German nobility. Most notably, Claus von Stauffenberg was a German army officer, famous for his involvement in the failed July 20th 1944 assassination of Adolf Hitler. He along with his brother were executed for their role in the assassination plot.

Despite this famous but dark historical crossroads, the name Stauffenberg has historically had many more successes than failures. During reminding times, elements of the Stauffenberg family served as ministers, bishops, professors, and other leading members of society in Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They were known to be dedicated Catholics and faithful to both their families and religion.

Therefore, the last name Stauffenberg might put off some people from its connections with a failed assassination attempt, but its history runs far deeper, and is connected with German nobility from medieval times to even modern times.

Stauffenberg: Where does the name Stauffenberg come from?

The last name Stauffenberg is primarily associated with Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg, a German military officer who attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler in July 1944. As a result, Stauffenberg and much of his immediate family were executed by the Nazi regime. Today, the last name Stauffenberg is most common in Germany, the homeland of Claus von Stauffenberg. It is also found in other parts of Europe including France, Poland and the Czech Republic.

Stauffenberg is a relatively uncommon surname compared to other surnames in Germany. According to the United Nations, Stauffenberg was the 1,795th most common surname in Germany in 1997. Despite its relative rarity, Stauffenberg is believed to originate from a Bavarian noble family.

Today, several historic sites across Germany are devoted to the life and legacy of Claus von Stauffenberg, including a small museum in Stauffenberg near Bamberg, which was the family seat. The museum is located in a castle that dates back to the 14th century and is home to several documents, pictures and personal items belonging to the Stauffenberg family. Additionally, a memorial monument in honor of Claus von Stauffenberg was unveiled in Stuttgart in 2005.

In the decades since his death, Claus von Stauffenberg has become a symbol of German resistance to Nazi rule. His life and his honorable attempt to end the horrors of the Second World War have inspired countless people and brought the Stauffenberg name to the attention of the entire world.

Variations of the surname Stauffenberg

The surname Stauffenberg is a Germanic name that originated from a place-name for the town of Staufenberg, located in modern Bavaria, Germany. The name Stauffenberg has been spelled in a variety of ways, including Staufenberg, Stauffenberg, Stauffenberger, Staufenberger, Staufenbergers, Stauffenberger, and Steufenberg.

The surname took on a variety of spelling variants throughout the years. During the 16th century, it was often written as Steujffenberg and later various spellings including Steuffenberg, Stüffenberg, and Stauffenburger emerged. In the 18th century, the most popular form of the surname was Stauffenburger.

In the 19th century, the surname became more closely associated with its place of origin and began to take on its modern spelling of Stauffenberg. It is also sometimes seen as Staubenberg, Stauffenberg, Stouffenberg or Staffenberg.

Many of the Stauffenberg descendants have immigrated to other regions. Due to the phonological similarity with other European surnames, the surname is sometimes recorded under different spelling variants when immigrants settle in different countries. For example, in Scandinavian countries, the Stauffenberg surname is sometimes recorded as Stovfenberg or in the United States as Steffenberger.

Overall, the surname Stauffenberg has been historically recorded with various spelling variations throughout its history, and it has also taken on a variety of surnames with a similar phonological origin in different countries.

Famous people with the name Stauffenberg

• Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg: the chief conspirator in the attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler in 1944.
• Berthold Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg: Claus’s older brother and one of his co-conspirators.
• Constantine Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg: another of Claus’s brothers and another co-conspirator.
• Werner von Haeften– Claus von Stauffenberg’s adjutant and fellow conspirator.
• Alexander Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg: a German film director and another of Claus’ brothers.
• Franz Ludwig Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg: a German nobleman who served in the Prussian army.
• Katrin Schenk Grafin von Stauffenberg: Claus’ niece who works as a painter and sculptor.
• Hans Ulrich Freiherr von Schwerin von Schwanenfeld: a German lawyer and historian who wrote books about Claus and his co-conspirators.
• Freiherr Michael Schenk von Stauffenberg: a German artist and sculptor and son of Constantine.
• Freifrau Schnelle Schenk von Stauffenberg: head of the Stauffenberg family from 1999-2000 and daughter of Alexander.

Other surnames

Stauffenberger