Surname Stefes - Meaning and Origin
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Stefes: What does the surname Stefes mean?
The last name Stefes is a German surname originating from the Middle Ages. It is derived from a given name derived from the Germanic element stef- which means "crown", "garland" or "reward". As such, the name is often associated with royalty, status and privilege.
The earliest record of the name is from the Bavarian city of Amberg in the thirteenth century, where it is recorded in the city archives as ‘de Stefes’. Over the centuries, the surname spread across Germany and into other parts of Europe. In the sixteenth century, for example, it was recorded in various areas of what is now the Netherlands.
Today, the surname Stefes can be found in many countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Hungary, and elsewhere. It is a common name, but the original spelling has remained largely unchanged. The name is also believed to be derived from medieval terms meant to indicate status, wealth or power. This is in keeping with its origin as a given name, suggesting that those who bore the name were viewed as influential and of some standing.
The commonness of the name means that it is likely that there are numerous branches of the family throughout the world with varying interpretations of the origin and meaning of their surname.
Order DNA origin analysisStefes: Where does the name Stefes come from?
The last name Stefes is most common in Germany, particularly in the west of the country. According to genealogical research, this name is believed to have originated in the Rhineland and over the centuries spread to other areas, such as the Upper Rhine, Hesse, Saxony, Thuringia, and Bavaria. However, due to emigration, there are Stefes families all over the world.
In the United States, Stefes can be found in every state, but is most commonly found in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York and California. In the United Kingdom, Stefes is concentrated mainly in London, Lancashire, Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire. Canada also has families with the name Stefes, mostly in Ontario and Quebec.
Over the last few decades, due to technology and communication capabilities, the number of Stefes around the globe has increased. This makes it challenging to accurately identify where the name is most common, most popular or even most concentrated. However, one thing is clear: the name Stefes is a global phenomenon.
Variations of the surname Stefes
The surname Stefes is of German and Dutch origin and has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Common variants of the surname Stefes include Steffes, Stefs, Steffs, Steffen, Steffenius, Steck, and Stecke. These spellings all come from the German pronoun 'der stef', which means 'the staff'.
The Dutch version of this surname is sometimes written as Steff and is derived from the Germanic name Stephan. Stephan derives from the Greek name Stephanos, which means 'crown' or 'garland'. The English form of the name Stephan is Stephen.
Variants and surnames of the same origin as Stefes are also found in other parts of Europe, such as Denmark and Poland. In Denmark, the surnames Steff, Steffensen, Steffesen, Steffen, and Stiefels are derived from the name Stefes.
Surnames of the same origin can also be found in Poland. Common Polish surnames based on the surname Stefes include Stefa, Stefaniak, and Stefanski. In addition, the Polish versions of the name Stephen and Steffen are often used as surnames in Poland.
In general, variants and surnames of the same origin of the surname Stefes can often be found in countries with German or Dutch roots. The most common spellings can also be found in other parts of the world as the result of immigration.
Famous people with the name Stefes
- Gert Stefes: a German-born actor known for his roles in Welcome to Germany, Usedom Krimi, and Inga Lindström.
- Bart Stefes: a German sculptor and installation artist.
- Katja Stefes: a German actress, known for her roles in the films Eine offene Rechnung and Nebelmeer.
- Hubertus von Stefes: a German investor and private equity executive.
- Alexander Stefes: a renowned German chef and restaurateur.
- Rainer Stefes: a well-known German poet and author.
- Alfred Stefes: a German operatic tenor who appeared in performances of Wagner's operas across Europe.
- Bernd Stefes: a German composer responsible for music for concert, film, and theatre performance.
- Eckhard Stefes: a German historian, professor, and author.
- Friedrich von Stefes: a Prussian diplomat and statesmen in the recording of the Congress of Vienna.