Surname Schafransky - Meaning and Origin
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Schafransky: What does the surname Schafransky mean?
The last name Schafransky is of German origin. It is a habitational name derived from a location in the Rhineland district of Schaffrath in Germany. The name roughly translates to “one who protects the sheep”, as it is believed to have originated from a person who looked after the sheep in the region. It is also believed that the name is derived from the German words 'schaf' and 'frau', which together mean 'lady shepherdess'.
Historically, the Schafransky family is believed to have originated from the Rhineland region of Germany in the late 17th century. The family was likely formed when several family members moved to the area and began working in the agricultural industry. They eventually spread across Germany and beyond, and today still reside in various countries.
The Schafransky name is still popular in many countries, mostly in Germany and its surrounding areas, as well as in Russia and other Eastern European countries. It is generally recognized as a strong and resilient name, with many descendants still living in various locations throughout the world. The name is also believed to bring great strength and resourcefulness to its bearers, making it a great choice for those seeking to honor their German ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisSchafransky: Where does the name Schafransky come from?
The last name Schafransky is most commonly found in Eastern Europe, particularly in the countries of Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, and Belarus. It has likely derived from the root word “shofar,” meaning ram’s horn in Hebrew. The family surname likely dates back several centuries,with some of the earliest mentions of it being found in documents dated as far back as 1593 in the Ukraine.
Today, the last name Schafransky is found mainly in the countries of the former Soviet Union, though there are some scattered families with the name in the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom. It is a relatively uncommon surname, found in only a handful of relevant records each year, though it is present in larger numbers in sections of Ukraine, Belarus, and Poland. One of the largest population clusters of Schafransky’s is found in the small village of Komarno in western Ukraine.
Schafransky may refer to several different families across Eastern Europe, with each having their own unique history and family tree related to the name. Some have origins in Western Ukraine, while others come from parts of Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Romania. No definitive history of the family exists, but it is likely that the roots of the last name can be traced back many centuries to one of the former countries in the region.
Variations of the surname Schafransky
The surname Schafransky has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The earliest variant recorded was Schaafransky, which is German for “shield of protection”. It is believed to have originated in the mid 16th century. In Poland, the variant Syfranzky has been recorded since the late 17th century. In the U.S., the spelling Schafransky is the most common variant.
In addition to Schafransky, some other surnames of the same origin are Shaffransky, Sheffranksy, Shiffranky, Schaffransky and Szafranski.
In the U.S., some of the most common surnames derived from Schafransky are Shafer, Sheffer, Shiffer, Shaffran and Shefferan. In some cases, the spelling of the surname has been changed in an effort to fit in with the English language. For example, Shafransky has become Sheffranksy, Shaffransky has become Shiffranky and Schafransky has become Szafranski.
In Australia, the spelling Schaffransky has become Spellman in some cases. Other surnames of the same origin include Shefron, Sheffrin, Shephren and Shewfron.
In general, Schafransky is a rare but interesting surname. The many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin provide insight into the family’s history and cultural background.
Famous people with the name Schafransky
- Dean Schafransky: Dean Schafransky is an American entrepreneur, investor, and speaker. He is currently working on various startups across different industries, ranging from health and wellness to blockchain and logistics.
- Len Schafransky: Len Schafransky is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for seven seasons.
- Andy Schafransky: Andy Schafransky is a professional basketball player and coach. He was drafted in the first round of the 2005 NBAdraft by the Seattle SuperSonics.
- Karen Schafransky: Karen Schafransky is a professional figure skater and trainer. She is the current coach to numerous national champions and is a longtime member of US Figure Skating.
- Eric Schafransky: Eric Schafransky is a software engineer and entrepreneur, having served on the boards of several high-growth tech companies.
- Joe Schafransky: Joe Schafransky is a former professional baseball pitcher who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1980s.
- Joan Schafransky: Joan Schafransky is a composer and songwriter. She is an Academy Award nominee for original music score for the film Color of Winter, for which she was also the composer.
- Dan Schafransky: Dan Schafransky is a race car driver. He has previously competed in various endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.