Surname Scheff - Meaning and Origin
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Scheff: What does the surname Scheff mean?
Scheff is a surname of German origin. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "schaffaere," which means "manager" or "steward." In medieval times, it was commonly given as an occupational surname to people who worked as managers, overseers, or administrators. These roles often involved managing the day-to-day affairs of a manor, an estate, or a similar type of large household. Therefore, the surname also implies traits of leadership, responsibility, and trustworthiness. As with many other European surnames, many variations of Scheff exist due to regional dialect differences and spelling changes over time. Its variants include Scheffer, Schaeff, and Schaeffer. It is important to note that certain meanings and associations may differ according to specific regional and historical contexts.
Order DNA origin analysisScheff: Where does the name Scheff come from?
The last name Scheff is most commonly found today in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and parts of the United States and Canada. In Germany, the name is most commonly found in the Rhineland-Palatinate region, where it is quite common. Other parts of Germany which have a significant presence of the surname include North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg. The name is also common in Austria, with the most concentrated presence in the city of Traun near the German border. In Switzerland, the highest numbers of Scheffs are found in the canton of Zürich.
In the United States, the surname is not common but is most likely found in states with large populations of German origin such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Texas. The state of Michigan also has a notable presence of the surname. Similarly, in Canada, the surname is mainly concentrated in provinces with a large German population such as Ontario and Alberta.
The last name Scheff is derived from the German word schief, which means “slanted.” Thus, the name may have been given to an ancestor who was described as having a slanted or crooked appearance.
Variations of the surname Scheff
The surname Scheff is a variation of the originally German and Jewish surname Schaff. This surname has also been spelled "Scheffe," "Schaeff," or "Schoff." It is derived from old German and is thought to have meant "servant or official."
In Poland, the surname is spelled "Szaf," while in Hungary and Romania it is pronounced "Szheff." Variants of the surname have also been found in Italy where it is spelled "Sceffa," in France where it is spelled "Chaff," and in Spain where it is spelled "Sheff."
The German surnames "Schaffer" and "Schaffel" also have similar but different origins. The surname was likely created from the old German word "scheffil," which means "forest" or "woodland" and was likely given to someone living in an area with a high presence of forest.
The Hispanic surname "Sheff" can also trace its roots to the Latin word "scaphe," which is translated as "ship" and was given to Catalan naval officers.
In addition to the numerous ethnic variants of the name, there are a few nicknames that have been used. For example, Scheffel is sometimes shortened to "Scheffeler" while Schaffer is sometimes shortened to "Schaffo." The same goes for the other variants, with some surnames being shortened and combined to create unique names.
In all, the surname Scheff has a wide variety of forms, nicknames, and variations. Its roots can be traced to old German, Jewish, Latin, Hispanic, Polish, Hungarian, Romanian, Italian, French, and Spanish backgrounds and is believed to have been created from a number of unique sources.
Famous people with the name Scheff
- Terry Scheff: actor best known for his role as Chris Harper in 7th Heaven.
- Jon Scheff: former bassist of the alternative rock band Wilco.
- Ruth Scheffel: German writer and librarian best known for her travel books.
- Willi Scheff: Austrian actor and director, known for his roles in TV, film, and theater.
- Julius Scheff: American lawyer and politician who served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1902 to 1906.
- David Scheff: co-founder of the San Francisco Litho Company and environmental activist.
- Miki Scheff: an American actor, best known for her roles on TV shows like Six Feet Under and Westworld.
- Douglas Scheff: American art director and production designer, best known for his work on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.
- Walter Scheff: German novelist, best known for his novel Die Richter (The Judges).
- W.G. Scheff: German-born American architect, best known for his residential designs in Florida.