Surname Steigauf - Meaning and Origin
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Steigauf: What does the surname Steigauf mean?
The last name Steigauf is a German surname that has two possible meanings. It could be derived from the German word “steig,” meaning “rise” or “ascend,” combined with the word “auf” which translates to “up” or “onwards.” An alternate possibility comes from the Middle High German word “steig” which means “path” or “track,” combined with the poetic German phrase “auf,” which roughly translates to “into the deep.” Both definitions appear to refer to an upward trajectory of progress or a journey towards progress, and it is likely that the actual etymology of the name is a combination of the two.
The surname likely began as a reference to a prominent family or individuals with that surname, who were held in respect and likely able to move upwards in the world. The surname could also refer to someone who was viewed as spiritually or morally advancing, since that was seen as indicative of “ascenscion” in rural German culture. Over time the name could have been associated with faith, fortune, and success both in terms of finances as well as social standing and recognition.
Order DNA origin analysisSteigauf: Where does the name Steigauf come from?
The last name Steigauf is primarily distributed throughout the Upper Midwest region of the United States, especially in Wisconsin. Several large family groups of Steigaufs are documented to have settled in Wisconsin in the 1830s and 1840s, from their immigration from the German provinces of Hess and Wurtemberg. It is not particularly common to find Steigauf families outside of the Midwest and Wisconsin in particular. While the Steigauf name is not highly concentrated in any particular area today, there are still several small but significant family groups of Steigaufs dwelling in rural and small-town Wisconsin.
The most commonly found Steigauf families today are particularly prominent in central and northern Wisconsin cities such as Black River Falls, La Crosse, Green Bay, Wausau, and Whitehall. The greater Madison and Milwaukee metropolitan areas have also seen populations of Steigauf families, but they remain at a comparatively low level.
It is in these small rural Wisconsin communities that the Steigauf name has remained most prolific and seen the most generational continuity. Wisconsin maintains its agricultural, small-town roots and most Steigaufs have taken up its rural tradition, particularly within commerce or the trades. As with many other names, the Steigauf surname has become associated with a certain identity closely linked to the region where it has been acquired over the last two centuries.
Variations of the surname Steigauf
The surname Steigauf is an old German name. It is believed to have derived from the Middle High German "Stige-owf", meaning "climb up". There are a few different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, such as Steigoff, Stiegauf, Steigof, Steigoffe, and Stoygauf.
The surname 'Steigauf' can also be spelt differently in various countries and cultures. For example, in the Netherlands it can be spelled as 'Steegaf', while in Germany it may be spelt as 'Steigauf'. Furthermore, in some Scandinavian countries it may be written as 'Steigouff'.
Variants of the surname Steigauf can be found in records in a number of countries. For example, in Australia, the variants Steigoff and Steigauf can be found in the 1837 census. In the United States, the variants Steigoff, Stigoff and Steighoff were common spellings of the surname during the 19th century.
In addition to these variants, there are also many surnames that can trace their origin back to the original surname Steigauf. These surnames include Stigge, Stigges, Stiggel, and Stiggell, as well as Stiegauf, Stiegoff, and Stiegeauf.
Overall, the Steigauf surname is unique and has many variants and surnames of the same origin. It is likely that over time, as more records become available, even more variants will be discovered.
Famous people with the name Steigauf
- Raymond Steigauf: Singer/songwriter who also works as a music producer.
- Ken Steigauf: Retired United States Air Force officer and Vietnam War veteran.
- Steve Steigauf: Grammy-nominated independent record producer.
- Eike Steigauf: German professional basketball player.
- Barbara Steigauf: German alpine skier.
- Joe Steigauf: American college basketball player and coach.
- Carolyn Steigauf: Educator, musician and poet.
- David Steigauf: Animator and film director.
- Andrew Steigauf: Electrical engineer and nanoelectronics researcher.
- Sophia Steigauf: Award-winning author and storyteller.