Surname Steff - Meaning and Origin
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Steff: What does the surname Steff mean?
The last name Steff is of German origin and is most commonly found in parts of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It is closely related to a variety of similarly spelled surnames, such as Steffen, Steffens, Steffenheim, and Staffen, all of which are derived from the German word "staph," which means “staff.”
The use of “staff” as a reference could derive from a career or task in which someone held a traditional duties with a particular set of expectations. In medieval times, the Steff surname specifically referred to someone who was a messenger or official in a royal court. The Steff surname is derived from a Germanic title, Steffel, which refers to those who were heads of bureaus or personal secretaries.
The Steff surname is also believed to have emigrated from a surname known as Stoffel, with the spelling later changing to Steff. This title was formerly popular among members of various nobility and corporate professionals in medieval Europe. In some cases, Stoffel, and eventually Steff, indicated that someone held a position of authority, such as a butler or master of ceremonies.
In modern times, the last name Steff has become a widely adopted name in diverse areas. The surname is an extremely common last name in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland and remains popular among immigrants and those with ancestors from these countries. Despite being a relatively rare name in other regions of the world, it is still an iconic surname in many circles.
Order DNA origin analysisSteff: Where does the name Steff come from?
The last name Steff is commonly found in countries like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is believed to have originated from Germany and is derived from the German word “Stief”, which means “a step or a measure”.
The Steff family name was first found in Silesia, where the family held a family seat for centuries. During the medieval times, the Steff family made significant contributions to the region's politics, society, culture, and economy.
Today, there are an estimated 6,000 Steffs located throughout Europe. In Germany, many Steffs live in Hamburg, Bavaria, Rheinland-Pfalz, and Schleswig-Holstein. In Austria, the Steffs can be found in the states of Vienna, Styria, Lower Austria, and Upper Austria. In Switzerland, the Steffs are mainly concentrated in the German-speaking regions, such as Zürich, Bern, Basel, and St. Gallen among others.
Outside of Europe, the Steffs are predominantly found in the United States. It was around the mid-18th century when members of the Steff family began to emigrate from Europe in search of a better life. It is estimated that approximately 3,000 Americans currently bear the Steff surname today.
Finally, the Steff name can also be found in places like Canada, Australia, and a handful of other countries around the globe. The exact numbers are difficult to determine because of its spread over the past few centuries.
Variations of the surname Steff
The name Steff is of German origin derived from the medieval given name Stephan. It is a variant of the more common surname Stephens or Stevens.
Variants of the surname Steff include Steffen, Steffan, Steffer, Steffey, Stiefe, Stiff, and Stiffe. These are all surname spellings of Steff with slight spelling variations.
Variations of the given name Stephan which can be part of a surname include Steven, Stefan, Steffen, Stefano, Stepan, Steppan, Stephon, Stephen, Stepanek, Stephane, Step via, Steffan, Steffon, Stephano, and Stiv.
It is interesting to note that Steff can also be an Italian surname, derived from the personal given name Stefano. Variations of the surname in this origin include Staffa, Staf, Steffano, and Stefano.
In addition, there are Anglicized versions of this surname, such as Steffe, Staf, Steffein, Stiffens, Stefford, Steffy, Stiffian, and Steffanes.
Lastly, Steff can also be used as a nickname for longer surnames. For example, Steff is often used as a diminutive of the German surname Steinfeld. Variations of this surname include Steffenfeld, Stefffeld, and Steffels.
Famous people with the name Steff
- Willem Steff: Belgian actor and artistic director known for his appearances in films such as "The Brothers Bloom" and "The Grey".
- Elizabeth Steff: British songwriter and poet known for her work with James Blunt, Robbie Williams, the Pet Shop Boys, and other artists.
- John Steff: American professional wrestler who competed in World Championship Wrestling in the 1990s.
- Mick Steff: American rock guitarist, songwriter, and producer who has played in bands such as Rush, Tool, System of a Down, and Faith No More.
- Claus Freiherr von Steff: German politician who served as Prime Minister of Bavaria in the 1920s and 1930s.
- Paul Steff: Austrian-born composer and conductor known for his work with the Vienna Boys' Choir and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Jean-Louis Steff: French journalist, author, and poet known for his books about World War II.
- Alina Steff: American actress, most known for her roles on "Days of Our Lives", "Home Improvement", and "Two and a Half Men".
- Henry Steff: American professional football player who played in the National Football League in the 1950s.
- Glenda Steff: American singer-songwriter and guitarist, most known for her work with the band Quarterflash.