Surname Steffel - Meaning and Origin
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Steffel: What does the surname Steffel mean?
The surname Steffel is of German origin. It is derived from the personal name Stephan, meaning ‘crown’. It is also an occupational name for a 'steppenwolf', a herdsman or farmer who owned or drove steers. Steffel could also refer to someone who lived near a place named Steffel such as a house, a farm or an estate.
The Steffel surname is very uncommon and there are no known variants. It has been recorded in several regions of Germany since the Middle Ages. The earliest known record is in 1275 when Johannes Steffel was a noble from Muhlhausen in the Palatinate region.
The Steffel name has been carried by many generations. It is still common in various parts of Germany today. People with the surname are found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, France, and the United States.
The Steffel family has a long history and is a reminder of the rich heritage of German culture and tradition. It symbolizes loyalty, strength, courage and determination. Those with this surname often pride themselves on their German roots and strive to live up to their family name.
Order DNA origin analysisSteffel: Where does the name Steffel come from?
The last name Steffel is mostly found in countries with German language roots, such as Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. The name is spread through Germany, though it is apparently most commonly found in the Rhineland-Palatinate region, with many small clusters in other states.
Outside Germany, Steffel can be found in countries like the US, Canada, and France, where immigrants brought the name with them. It is a less common last name in the US compared to German-language countries, as of the 2020 census.
The Steffel surname has German roots, and is derived from the Middle High German name "Stefel" or "Stoffel," which are both diminutives of "Stephan" or "Steven." The surname was primarily borne by farmers and craftsmen, and signifies extra effort as opposed to "Stefan," which means "crown."
The name is not common today, but has a long, rich history. It is a great reminder of the interconnectedness between past and present, and all parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Steffel
Steffel is a German surname derived from the medieval personal name 'Stephan' meaning “crown” or “garland”. Alternative spellings and variants of the same origin include Stephan, Steffen, Staffen, Steffan, and Stefen. However, when it comes to surnames, a regular rule in Germanic languages is that they are changed according to their regional dialects, so one can also find numerousAdjustments in its spelling.
In German language, Steffel is usually found as “Stöffel” or “Stöfel”. The latter form is quite common in some regions. In Dutch language, the same name changes to “Stoffels”, used especially in Dutch-speaking regions and provinces of Belgium. “Staffel” is an Italian and Austrian variant, carried on mostly within Italian or Austrian families.
Some surnames, though similar in terms of phonetics, can be based on the sameroot, yet slightly vary in their spelling. That is the case of “Stefel” and “Stefels”. “Stäffele” is another variant of the same origin, yet its usage is greater in the south of Germany, alongside Switzerland and Alsace in France. Other popular variants include “Stefit,” “Steffl,” and “Stefflé.”
In some areas the initial 'St' could be dropped and the name changes into “Effel” or “Effeler”, while it is also normal to find versions in which an “H” is added between the "T" and the "E", so “Stheffel”.
Famous people with the name Steffel
- Josh Steffel: a personal trainer and former YouTube star.
- Jordan Steffel: an American professional soccer player and current president of Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes.
- Christopher Steffel: an American stage and screen actor, best known for his appearances in Broadway shows such as “The Color Purple” and “Rent”.
- Mary Steffel: an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
- Tom Steffel: a German-born film and television actor who has starred in “Lost (TV series)”, “Detroit 1-8-7”, and “Love & Taxes”.
- John E. Steffel Jr.: a retired American soldier and Vietnam War veteran who served in the United States Army and was awarded the Purple Heart for his service.
- Gregory Steffel: an award-winning American television producer, most widely known for his work on “Big Brother” and “Fear Factor”.
- George Steffel: a German jazz musician and composer, best known for his modern interpretations of jazz standards.
- Andrea Steffel: an American artist and designer, whose works can be found on various public art installations and also her own company, “Steffel Artist Design”.
- Caitlyn Steffel: an American children’s storyteller and author, most famously known for her series of “Anne of Green Gables” books.