Surname Szafarz - Meaning and Origin

Szafarz: What does the surname Szafarz mean?

The last name Szafarz is an old and traditional Polish surname. It is derived from the Polish word szafarz, which means “steward” or “deputy”. According to the Polish tradition, the name Szafarz was used to designate “those who were responsible for a certain set of duties or who acted in place of a nobleman.” In the past, it was also sometimes given to the representatives of courts and law enforcement agencies.

The Szafarz surname first appeared in historic records in the mid 16th century and was primarily found in various regions of Poland. During the 1700s, the name spread to other areas of Europe, including Germany, Austria, Bohemia, and Hungary. Around this time, families of the Szafarz surname began emigrating to countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Today, the name Szafarz is still prevalent in Poland, though the number of individuals who carry the name is significantly smaller than it was previously. It is also still seen in other parts of Europe and in America, though fewer and fewer individuals carry the name as immigration to these countries declined significantly during the 20th century. The name Szafarz is an interesting part of Polish history and heritage, and it continues to be a symbol of tradition and pride in many modern families.

Szafarz: Where does the name Szafarz come from?

The last name Szafarz (also spelled Safarz, Sahfarz, or Sapharz) is a rare surname native to Poland and Ukraine. Today, the surname is not particularly common, however, it is found in relatively high numbers in its countries of origin.

In Poland, Szafarz is considered somewhat uncommon. According to Geneanet, which provides records of surname distributions, today there are nearly 1,200 living Szafarzs in Poland. Most of the holders of the surname reportedly live in the three largest cities of Poland: Warsaw, Kraków, and Łódź.

In Ukraine, the surname is more widespread. According to a 2014 population survey, there were nearly 12,000 people living in Ukraine bearing the last name Szafarz. The surname is particularly common in western Ukraine, particularly in the cities of Ternopill, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk.

Outside of its homeland, particularly in the United States, the surname Szafarz is even rarer. The US Census Bureau reported that in 2010, there were only 430 people living in the United States with the surname Szafarz. The majority of them live in the state of New York.

Thus, while the last name Szafarz is still present today, its numbers are limited and it usually remains relatively rare, particularly outside its countries of origin.

Variations of the surname Szafarz

Szafarz is a Polish surname that originates from the historical profession of Saberholder. This surname is traditionally found among Jewish populations who were shopkeepers and merchants in Poland. The various spellings and variants of the surname Szafarz include Szafer, Szafir, Szapir, Szapiro, Szafranczyk, Szapirsky, and Szafran.

The various spellings of Szafarz all originate from the original Polish spelling and are connected to the original meaning of the surname. The derivatives of the surname Szafarz reflect its historical origin. For example, the Polish derivatives Szafer, Szafir and Szapir are all derived from the original Polish term "szabrownik," which means "blade holder."

The surname Szafarz became more widespread in other European countries than its original Polish range as Jewish populations migrated to other areas. Thus, the surname was commonly used in Germany and other German-speaking countries. In Germany, the surname was presented in the spelling Zafir and Zafirskij.

The surname Szafarz is also popular in countries like the United States and Israel. It is usually found in its original Polish spelling in the United States. In Israel, the surname is usually found in its modernized Hebrew spelling of "Tsafar."

Overall, the surname Szafarz is associated with Jewish populations who were shopkeepers and merchants in Poland. It has various spellings and variants, like Szafer, Szapiro, Szafranczyk, Szafir, and Szapirsky. Additionally, in Germany it was presented as Zafir and Zafirskij, and in Israel as Tsafar.

Famous people with the name Szafarz

• Stanisław Szafarz: was a Polish lawyer and politician who supported the reconciliation of Poland and Russia at the end of the 19th century.
• Marcin Szafarz: was a Polish general, military journalist and author, who served in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Polish Armed Forces of the Second Polish Republic and the Home Army.
• Jerzy Szafarz: was a Polish military officer and intelligence specialist who served in the Polish Army and refuted claims made by Russia that it had no involvement in creating and running a secret KGB prison camp in World War II-era Poland.
• Katarzyna Szafarz: was a Polish cinema director and screenwriter. She was a member of the Polish Film Directors Guild and a recipient of the Gold Cross of Merit.
• Piotr Szafarz: was a Polish professional footballer and class B coach, who played mainly as a midfielder.
• Jakub Szafarz: is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a striker for GKS Tychy '71.
• Kaja Szafarz: is an Polish jazz vocalist, flutist, composer and vocal coach. She released her debut album in 2018 and has toured Europe and the United States.
• Aleksandra Szafarz: is a Polish fashion designer who specializes in lingerie, accessories, and jewelry. Since 2002 she has shown her collections in international fashion weeks in Vienna, Paris, and London.
• Tadeusz Szafarz: was a Polish anti-communist and opposition member during the communist era. He also served as Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs from 1989 to 1991.
• Stanisław Szafarz: was a Polish brigadier general who commanded the Polish II Bureau of Investigation and the Polish I Bureau of Investigation. He also wrote and published a number of books on the history of the Polish Army.

Other surnames

Szafarczyk