Surname Zerfas - Meaning and Origin
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Zerfas: What does the surname Zerfas mean?
Zerfas is a rare surname, with origins from German or Dutch. It is possible that the name originated from the German islands of Neu Schwansen and Fohr, and the Dutch island of Terschelling. This is supported by the fact that the surname is still found in areas of northern Germany, particularly in Lower Saxony.
The meaning of the surname Zerfas is uncertain. It may refer to a “sea-falcon”. Alternatively, it could come from two German words, “zerr” meaning “by chance”, and “faas” an old term for “farmer”. This may indicate that it is a name adopted by someone who moved into the region.
The Zerfas family is believed to have originated in Germany during the 17th century, when the country was still divided into numerous states and kingdoms. The name is not thought to have spread beyond Germany until the 19th century, when immigrants moved abroad and adopted it as their own.
Today, the surname Zerfas is found in countries around the world, although it is much less common than other surnames. It indicates a connection with an ancestor who was a pioneer who traveled from Germany or the Netherlands. This ancestor would have been proud of the Zerfas descendants, who have made their own mark on the world stage.
Order DNA origin analysisZerfas: Where does the name Zerfas come from?
The last name Zerfas is found mainly among people of German, Austrian, and Czech descent. It is most frequently found in the United States, where it is the 5,719th most common name, and in Germany, where it is the 2,359th most common surname. The origin of the name is uncertain, but it is likely derived from the German word zerfasen, meaning 'to rip apart.'
The geographic distribution of the Zerfas family name is quite expansive. Aside from Germany and the United States, it is also widely found in the Czech Republic, Poland, Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It is possible to trace the Zerfas family's roots in the United States all the way back to the mid-1800s, when many of the first Zerfases immigrated to the Midwest and established families there.
Generally, members of the Zerfas family tend to live in close-knit communities and stay connected through the generations. This strong sense of loyalty and commitment to their heritage is likely one of the reasons why the name has managed to persist throughout the centuries.
Today, there are countless Zerfases spread all over the world, a testament to the family's tenacity. Despite having no definitive homeland for the family name, Zerfases have managed to stay connected and create a vibrant community that spans several continents.
Variations of the surname Zerfas
The surname Zerfas is an extremely rare surname, found mostly in Central Europe, and appears to have originated in Germany. It is also spelled as Zerfass, Zehrfass, Zerfaß, and Zerrfaß. To date, there are no known variants in other languages or countries.
The spelling of this surname may vary slightly due to the various dialects in Germany. While the letters F and S may be switched, Zerfas and Zerfaß are used interchangeably. However, Zehrfass and Zerrfaß appear to be secondary spellings of the surname that are not used as often.
Zerfas is a patronymic surname meaning “son of Zervacus”, with Zervacus being a Latin first name that translates to “black or dark”. This suggests that the original bearer of the Zerfas surname likely had a dark complexion.
To date, there are no known surname variants of Zerfas. However, Zerfas family members may have changed their surnames over the years in order to gain political opportunities or as a sign of assimilation into a new culture. For example, the surnames Zephier and Zeffirs are derived from the Germanic root word “zer” and were likely anglicized versions of Zerfas. Additionally, some may have adopted the surnames Zerffic or Zerr which also originated from German.
Overall, the surname Zerfas is quite unique and rare. While there are slight variations of its spelling, there are no known variants of the surname or its origin.
Famous people with the name Zerfas
- Rob Zerfas: American musician, numerous projects including the project 6Gig.
- Mike Zerfas: professional baseball player in Minor League Baseball.
- Luke Zerfas: former Major League Baseball pitcher who appeared in one game with the New York Mets in 1974.
- Chris Zerfas, American filmmaker, television director and writer.
- Blaire Zerfas: American pageant and reality star, competed in Miss Minnesota USA in 2015.
- Mark Zerfas: former professional American football player, part of the 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl championship team.
- Bruce Zerfas: American professional poker player.
- Alex Zerfas: American professional skateboarder known for his work with the company Krux Trucks.
- Sam Zerfas: American basketball player for the Lakeland Magic of the NBA G League.
- David Zerfas: artist, designer and filmmaker known for projects such as Kaleidoscope the Musical and the 2012 movie Friday Night Bummer.