Surname von Seifert - Meaning and Origin
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von Seifert: What does the surname von Seifert mean?
The surname von Seifert is an old German name, which originated in the area now known as northern Germany and the Czech Republic. It is a toponymic surname, meaning that it is derived from the place where an early ancestor of the family lived – the historical region of Seifert, located in modern-day Germany.
In the Middle Ages, those who bore the surname were members of the Austrian nobility, with the prefix “von” indicating a noble lineage. The area of Seifert was one of several along the upper reaches of the river Vltava in the Czech Neumark, an area popular among the ruling nobility of the time and given to its members by the duke of Bohemia.
Von Seifert can also been seen as a sign of ancestral rank. People with the last name are likely to have descended from a noble family that was settled there and could have been associated with the duke’s Creeds and Laws, Clerical orders, or even the Knights of Thule, a legendary society of secret knights.
While many of the old noble families of Europe were displaced during the Second World War, some von Seifert families stayed in the region of their origin and the surname continues to be held in Austria as well as other parts of the former Austria-Hungary. In Austria today, the von Seifert surname is still common among people with quirkiness of character and virtue of nobility.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Seifert: Where does the name von Seifert come from?
The last name von Seifert is common throughout Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking countries today. In Germany, it is especially common in Baden-Württemberg, Hessen, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia, where more than 3,000 people still bear the name.
Originally, von Seifert was a noble title, derived from the old High German word “seifen”, which means "to pour". The name was most likely given to noble families in the Middle Ages who owned or managed a farm. Over time it became a hereditary title, passed down from one generation to the next.
Today, the most prominent bearer of the name von Seifert is the German football manager Horst von Seifert. He finished his distinguished football career in 2002 after managing a number of Germany’s most successful clubs. Another famous bearer of the name is Hans von Seifert, a German sports presenter who has provided commentary for numerous World Cup and UEFA European Championship matches.
In modern Germany, signs of the noble name can still be found, albeit in a less formal capacity. Namely, enthusiasts of the culture and cuisine of South Germany have brought back the long-forgotten tradition of “von Seiferten”, a type of cheese-filled dumpling, which are enjoyed at fairs and festivals across the country.
Variations of the surname von Seifert
Von Seifert is a German surname of noble origin and can be variously spelled and pronounced as von Seiffert, von Seiferts, von Seifferts, Seiffert, Seifert or Seiferts. The meaning of the name can be derived from two distinct sources. First, the name may be derived from the German words “sein”, meaning to be, and “ferte”, meaning strength or courage. In other words, the name may be interpreted as “having courage”. Secondly, the suffix “-fert” in the name suggests that the family’s progenitor may have worked as a Ferte or a Thatcher of straw roofs.
The variants of the surname may include other versions such as Seifferth, Seifertz, Seifferdt, Seifferd, Seifferst, and Seifreit. The surname is also known to be very common in Silesia, which is located in modern-day Germany and Poland, and many families bearing the name migrated to these areas in the 17th century. Furthermore, the surname is also known to appear in Prussia, Thuringia, and Austria.
Lastly, the name has long been associated with many noble titles, including the baron, count, duke, marquess, and prince of Seifert. It is believed that the title was first given to an ancestor of the von Seifert family in the 13th century. Such nobility was confirmed and recognized by the German emperor in 1712.
Famous people with the name von Seifert
- Maximilian von Seifert: German hockey player who played for Berliner SC on the German Hamburger Polo-Club team.
- Edith von Seifert: Musician and academic musicologist from Germany.
- Dietrich von Seifert: Alumnus of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and experienced electrical engineer from Germany.
- Joachim von Seifert: Soldier in the German military and holder of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.
- Christoph von Seifert: Former Deputy Chairman of the Board of Management at Adidas AG and senior executive in the fashion and retail industry.
- Werner von Seifert: German composer, arranger, producer, and artist from Stuttgart.
- Richard von Seifert: German jurist and Liberal politician who served as Minister of Justice of Prussia from 1929 to 1933.
- Mathias von Seifert: Pulitzer Prize-Winning journalist and news anchor from Cologne.
- Eva von Seifert: Journalist and author from Roßlau, Germany, known for her focus on anti-Semitism and minorities.
- Johann von Seifert: Astronomer from Germany who studied at the University of Munich and co-authored a book, Astronomy and the Solar System.