Surname Zierfas - Meaning and Origin
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Zierfas: What does the surname Zierfas mean?
The last name Zierfas is of German origin and is derived from the German word “Zierfass”, which means "decorative barrel". It is an occupational surname, typically referring to someone who worked in the cooperage trade - either a barrel-maker, or someone who fitted barrels with metal bands.
In the Middle Ages, barrel-making was an important craft due to the need for containers to store and transport goods. Barrels were also often used to store wine, beer, cider and other beverages. Barrel-makers were thus skilled tradesmen, held in high esteem.
The first instance of the surname Zierfas appears in the 15th century in the Lower Rhine Region of Germany. By the 17th century, people from this family had spread out to other parts of Europe, including Poland, the Netherlands, and the Baltics.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, many Zierfas’s emigrated to the United States. According to recent censuses, the majority of individuals with the last name Zierfas live in the United States, as well as Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
Today, the name is usually written as “Zierfas,” though in some instances, such as Germany, it is written as “Zierfass” or “Zierfasser”. It is an uncommon name, but those who carry it share the same proud heritage of barrel-making.
Order DNA origin analysisZierfas: Where does the name Zierfas come from?
The last name Zierfas is common in many places today, with many families bearing the name tracing their lineage to Germany. Specifically, the Zierfas surname is most commonly found in the German states of Saxony and Thuringia today, as well as in Austria, Switzerland, and North America.
The word Zierfas is derived from the Middle High German term "Zierfesz," which was used to describe a highly-ornamental fabric or a piece of clothing worn during special occasions. This is likely how the surname came to be, and may provide a clue as to why it is clustered in modern-day Germany and Austria.
While the name is most common in these areas of Europe, it can still be found around the world. For example, the surname Zierfas can also be found in pockets of Peru, Mexico, and elsewhere in Latin America. Additionally, there are families with the name living in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries throughout Europe.
Overall, the Zierfas surname is still common today, a testament to the family’s long history. Even though it is most concentrated in certain regions, there are multiple families around the world that can trace their lineage to the first instances of the name.
Variations of the surname Zierfas
The surname Zierfas is of German descent and has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most commonly seen form of the name is Zierfas, although variations such as Ziervaz, Zierphas, Zierfaz, and Zierffas can also be found. The surname is also often abbreviated to Zirf or Zirfas (or in its original form, Zierfaz).
The variations of the surname originate from the old German words "zier" meaning "hair orteeth" and "phas" meaning "wave, ripple." These two words combined to form the surname which translates to mean "new wave or ripple of hair."
Other German variants of the surname include Zierpfas, Zirpfas, Zerfas, Zwerfas, and Zwirfas. Variations of the surname in other countries include Zirff, Zierpfaff, Zierpfau, Zierbauer, and Zirfauer.
The surname is often found in countries with large German populations such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States, as well as in countries such as Canada, Brazil, and Argentina.
In many countries, the name is also often misspelled and can be seen written as Zirfas, Zirffas, Zerfas, Zwerfas, and Zwirfas.
As a result of the large number of variants, the surname Zierfas is found today in a variety of forms. Although some of the forms may be slightly different, they all have the same origin and were derived from the same German words.
Famous people with the name Zierfas
- Mark Zierfas: lawyer and former Secretary of the Office of Family Policy for the Bush Administration.
- Carl Zierfas: German architect who worked on the royal palace in Berlin.
- Isabella Zierfas: German actress, appearing in films such as Jeder Schuss Ein Treffer.
- Bryan Zierfas: American professional cyclist and multiple Tour of the Gila champion.
- Felix Zierfas: German artist whose works are held in several prominent art galleries and museums.
- Janina Zierfas: German politician who served as a minister in two state governments.
- Marlen Zierfas: German author and psychologist specializing in psychotherapy and relaxation.
- Niko Zierfas: German voice actor for many popular cartoons and video game characters.
- Michael Zierfas: German television and film actor who played a leading role in the TV show Ein Engel auf Erden.
- Carl Zierfas III: German architect who designed the S-Bahn station buildings in Berlin.