Surname Zerfaß - Meaning and Origin

Zerfaß: What does the surname Zerfaß mean?

The last name Zerfaß is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German words “zer” (“south”) and “fass” (“barrel”). The surname manifested itself as a professional identifier in the late medieval period in Germany when many people assumed names based on their occupation or place of birth. A person with this surname may have been a barrel maker who lived in the south of the country.

It is believed that the family lineage can be traced back to the 12th century in Germanic territories. Today, Zerfaß is a fairly common surname in some parts of Germany, particularly in the Rhineland in western Germany. It may also be found in other parts of Europe, particularly countries with historical German-speaking populations such as Austria and Switzerland.

The name Zerfaß is also found in the United States and Canada, as many early German immigrants brought this surname with them. As such, people of diverse ethnic backgrounds may be among the modern-day bearers of this surname.

Some members of the Zerfaß family have become notable in their respective countries. This includes the late German journalist Robert Zerfaß, who was best known for his work in the German magazine Der Spiegel. Another notable Zerfaß is Robert Zerfaß, Jr., a United States senator from Ohio. Other Zerfaß family members have achieved success in various fields, including medicine, engineering, and the arts.

The last name Zerfaß may have many meanings, but it is primarily associated with its Middle High German roots and its history as a professional identifier. In modern times, members of the Zerfaß family can be found in many countries, continuing their legacy across the globe.

Zerfaß: Where does the name Zerfaß come from?

The surname Zerfaß is most commonly found today in Germany. First appearing in records in 1140, this was a patronymic name borne by those people whose ancestor was named Zerfass or some variant thereof. Records indicate that Zerfaß was derived from the Germanic names zer-fassia or zer-fassen, both of which mean “to suffice” or “to be enough”.

Once the surname had been established, it spread all over Germany. Over time, some branches of the Zerfaß family left Germany and settled in the United States, Australia, and Canada. The Zerfaß surname is still quite common in Germany today, primarily in the southern region. There, the family name is patronymic, and is most often shared by individuals born between 1750 and 1820.

In the United States, the Zerfaß surname has become more and more rare over time. The most recent occurrence of the name is in the 2010 US Census. According to the records, only one individual from the state of California was enumerated with the Zerfaß surname. Other occurrences of the name in the US can be found primarily among descendants of German immigrants from the 19th century.

The Zerfaß family name is still prominent in Germany today, and is relatively scarce in other parts of the world. Given its long history, its survival in Germany is both remarkable and admirable.

Variations of the surname Zerfaß

The surname Zerfaß is of German origin and can be spelled in several different ways, including Zirfass, Zerff, Zerfass, Tserfass, Zerfus, Zirfuss, Cirfas, Zerface, Zirfas, Serfass, and Tsirfas. All of these variants are thought to have originated from the city of Zerf (also known as Zerb), in what is now Germany.

The earliest recorded member of the Zerfaß family was Hans Michel Zerfass, who was born in 1639 in western Rhineland-Palatinate. From this point on, the name spread throughout Europe, with various members of the family changing the spelling of the name to suit the local language and culture.

In North America, the variants Serfass and Zirfass are the most common. In the United States, people with the surname Zerfaß are most likely descended from German immigrants in the mid-nineteenth century. These immigrants likely changed the spelling of their name to make it easier to sound out.

Other variants of Zerfaß can be found in various parts of Europe, including Zerfuss in Germany, Zirfas in Austria, and Tsirfas in Hungary. These variants are most likely a result of dialectical differences between different regions.

All of these variants of Zerfaß can be found as both given names and surnames. This suggests that while the main spelling of Zerfaß may have originated from the German region of Zerf (Zerb), it is now so widespread that each of these variants are used and equally accepted all over the world.

Famous people with the name Zerfaß

• Dennis Zerfaß, German triathlete
• Gaspar Zerfaß, Alsatian Baroque sculptor and architect
• Mark Zerfass, German audio engineer and 6x Grammy Award Winner
• Marc Zerfass, German Olympic fencer
• Johann Zerfass, German Olympic cyclist
• Julius Zerfass, German painter
• Fritz Zerfass, German footballer
• Bernd Zerfass, German footballer
• Juan Zerfass Gomez, Mexican soccer player
• Johann Zerfass, Austrian painter
• Arne Zerfass, German communication advisor and brand strategist
• Doreen Zerfass, German sculptor
• Joachim Zerfass, German scholar
• Lenzer Zerfass, a fictional character in the German video game "L.A. Noire"
• Christian Zerfass, German actor
• August Zerfass, Bavarian gymnast
• Ernesto Zerfass, Swiss footballer
• Manuel Zerfass, Brazilian opera singer
• Friedrich Zerfass, German composer
• Michael Zerfass, German hockey player
• George Zerfass, American woodworker
• Wilhelm Zerfass, German ophthalmologist
• Wolfgang Zerfass, German filmmaker

Other surnames

ZerfahsZerfas