Surname Zapfel - Meaning and Origin

Zapfel: What does the surname Zapfel mean?

The last name Zapfel is of German origin, primarily found in Southern Germany. The surname indicates that the family originated within the region referred to as ‘Der Zapf’, or the harvest lands. It is thought that the word ‘Zapfel’ could have derived from the translation of the word,‘Sepfel’, which means a small drinking vessel. This is derived from the Middle High German ‘sapfen’, which means to pour a liquid. It is believed that the name Zapfel may have been given to a family of innkeepers who served drinks in their establishments, or to those who drank/enjoyed drinks frequently.

In British and American records, the name is found predominantly in Pennsylvania, where it was recorded in several records throughout the 17th century. The name has also been found in other early American records, often anglicised as Pfiefer or Pfeifer.

Zapfel is not a common name, but those who bear the name remain distinctly linked to their German roots, with generations having proudly used the name through the ages.

Zapfel: Where does the name Zapfel come from?

The last name Zapfel is common in certain parts of Germany, as well as Austria, Switzerland, and other parts of Central Europe. The surname is also present in France, the United States, and Canada. It is present in many other countries throughout the world, too.

In Germany, Zapfel is fairly common throughout the country with most occurrences found in the southern states. It is also quite common in Switzerland and Austria, although the frequency decreases as one moves north into Central Europe.

In France, it is more commonly found in the Alsace region, which is an area that is often associated with Germanic influence. The name appears to have been brought to the region by Germanic immigrants during the Middle Ages.

The United States has had the name Zapfel present since the 17th century, when immigrants from Central Europe began settling there. Today, it is most common in the midwestern states, and there is a particularly high frequency of the name in the states of Indiana, Wisconsin, and Ohio.

It is found in Canada, as well, although it is relatively rare there. It is more likely to be seen in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, which have historically had more Germanic immigration. The last name is also present in other parts of the world such as Brazil and Australia.

Variations of the surname Zapfel

The surname Zapfel is one of German origin. It is a variation of “zapfen,” which means “toe” in German. The spelling of the surname also contains the letter “f” over the letter “p” in the name. Variants and different spellings of the Zapfel surname include Zaffel, Zapf, Zaff, Zafel, Zaffel, Zaffl, Zafl, Saffel, Sappel, Saffle, Sapple, Saffl, Safl, and Zabfeil. Apart from these, there are other surnames of overlapping origins with Zapfel, such as Saffell, Saffold, Zabfa, and Zabfee.

The Zapfel surname is found in many regions and countries of Europe, mainly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also present in the United States, with the earliest record of the surname found in a document in 1739 in Pennsylvania.

There are several families in Ukarine that bear the traditional variant, “Zapfel”. The origin of this variant is unknown, but it is possible that it could have been derived from the Swiss-German form of the surname. The Zapfels from Ukraine often take on the surname of “Safalui” or “Safalov”.

In France, a variant of the Zapfel surname can be found in the form of “Zapfel”, “Saffin”, “Sapin”, “Sapeau”, “Sapier”, or “Sèpeau”. A variant of the surname is also found in Wales and is spelled “Zaffel”.

The Zapfel surname has now spread to many other countries beyond Europe, including Canada, Australia, and the United States. It is also present in South America, and in some African countries, such as the Congo. In these countries, it is often present in the forms of “Zappell” or “Zabell”.

Famous people with the name Zapfel

• Hermann Zapf (1918: 2015): A renowned German typeface designer and calligrapher born in Nuremberg. He was also a professor of typography at The University of Reading in England.
• Paul Zapfel (1932: ): A contemporary artist, sculptor, architect and designer. He lives and works in Frankfurt.
• Kurt Zapfel (1892: 1973): A noted German actor of the late nineteenth century. He is best remembered for his roles in the "Weimar Republic" films.
• Harry Zapfel (1862: 1950): An acclaimed German military officer who served in the Franco-Prussian War. He was later awarded the Gold Medal of Honor by the Prussian government.
• John Paul Zapfel (1919: 2008): An American painter, sculptor, and graphic designer. He was known for his large scale murals.
• Steve Zapfel (1944: ): A scholar and professor of German history and literature. He has written numerous books on German culture.
• Monika Zapfel (1973: ): A German-born British actress. She is best known for her roles in the television series 'Sharpe' and 'Knightmare'.
• Mervin Zapfel (1973: 2017): An American singer and songwriter, who founded the band 'Evil Elvis'.
• Julius Zapfel (1899: 1985): A German-born architect and designer. He is best known for his work on government buildings in Berlin.
• Alfred Zapfel (1911: 1996): Another German-born architect and designer. He was the main designer of a number of churches in the region.

Other surnames

Zapfe