Surname Greifmann - Meaning and Origin
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Greifmann: What does the surname Greifmann mean?
The last name Greifmann is a Jewish surnamethat has a long history. It is derived from the Yiddish words greif (which literally means “grief”) and man (which means “man”). The name seems to suggest that the family are descended from Jews who were persecuted and endured a great deal of suffering.
The Greifmann family is said to have originated in Germany, where Jews faced frequent persecution in the late Middle Ages. It is possible that the name Greifmann was adopted by members of the family as a reminder of the difficulties they had experienced in the past. As such, the name may have symbolized a spirit of resilience and strength in the face of suffering and adversity.
The Greifmann family is also associated with several prominent rabbinic lineages, including the Ohr Yosef, Olei Tchelet, and Perushim families. These lineages trace their roots back to the Jewish rabbis of the 17th and 18th centuries in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Romania. It's likely that the Greifmann family are descendants of these rabbis and have held onto the family name as a testament to their roots.
In modern times, the Greifmann family have been scattered around the world, but many still share the same values and traditions of their ancestors. Despite their long history of suffering and persecution, the name Greifmann still carries a sense of pride and strength, reflecting the courage and resilience of the Jewish people in the face of adversity.
Order DNA origin analysisGreifmann: Where does the name Greifmann come from?
The last name Greifmann is most commonly found in Germany today. The name originated in the Middle Ages after the land was fragmented and German tribes began to form distinct regions. Greifmann is generally thought to have derived from Old German words meaning “Hammer” or “Strongman”, and the name is associated with trades such as blacksmiths and armorers.
Today the last name Greifmann is most commonly found in the city of Berlin, and the region of Berlin-Brandenburg. It is also found in some other parts of Germany such as Saxony, Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia. The name is also found in some Central and Eastern European countries such as Denmark, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. In these countries, the name has been been passed on from German immigrants who resettled in the 18th and 19th centuries.
In the United States, Greifmann is most typically found in Pennsylvania, where many German-speaking settlers moved in the 18th century. It is also found in smaller numbers across the United States, particularly in counties and cities with large German-American populations, such as Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, and Ohio.
Overall, the last name Greifmann is most abundant in Germany, but it is also distributed in other parts of Europe and North America as a result of migration from Germany in past centuries.
Variations of the surname Greifmann
The surname Greifmann is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German terms “greif” and “mann” which mean “griffin” and “man” respectively.
Common variants and spellings of this surname include Grafmann, Gräfmann, Greifman, Graffman, Griefman, Greiffman, and Grifman. These spellings all originated from the same German roots and have the same general meaning.
Surnames with the same origin as Greifmann include Graf, Gräf, Greif, Greiff, and Grif. Other surnames derived from the same root words are Grafenhahn, Griffen, Grufelman, and Grafenberg. These surnames often refer to griffin themed objects or locations, as well.
Furthermore, some people may have surnames which have derived from Greifmann over the course of history. These could include Greifenberg, Greifing, Gröfling, Greiffenstein, and Gröfelmann.
In summary, the German surname Greifmann has many variants and spellings as well as a number of related surnames with the same origin. This name is derived from the Middle High German words “greif” and “mann” which both refer to a griffin or griffin themed object or location.
Famous people with the name Greifmann
- Leonard Greifmann: Austrian philosopher and psychologist, specialist in ethnology.
- Erika Greifmann: Austrian nurse, author, educator and feminist.
- Georg Greifmann: German politician affiliated with the Social Democratic Party of Germany.
- Löb Greifmann: Israeli-German architect, designer and educator.
- Werner Greifmann: German World War I fighter ace credited with 19 aerial victories.
- Martin Greifmann: Austrian-born conductor, pianist, composer and former cello professor at the Conservatory of Vienna.
- Alfred Greifmann: Austrian-American composer and violist.
- Johann Greifmann: Austrian painter and architect.
- Boaz Greifmann: Israeli visual artist, sculptor and installation artist.
- Viola Frankfurth Greifmann: Austrian tennis player.