Surname Scherfer - Meaning and Origin
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Scherfer: What does the surname Scherfer mean?
The last name Scherfer is of German origin, and is thought to be derived from the Old High German ‘scaraf’ or ‘scara’, meaning ‘shire’ or ‘province’. It’s possible that the name first referred to someone who was related to the lord of an area, or had fled there during a time of unrest.
Today, Scherfer is a common surname in German-speaking countries, but has spread out to other parts of the world, including the United States. It is often associated with individuals of Schleswig-Holstein, which was part of the Danish monarchy during the 19th century.
On a larger scale, Scherfer may also be a bit of a clue to someone’s heritage. For instance, if you know a person with the last name Scherfer, it likely means that their ancestors had either lived or traveled in an area of Germany or Scandinavia during the Middle Ages.
On a more personal level, the last name Scherfer can be interpreted as a symbol of loyalty, honor, and courage. For example, it may signify someone who is brave enough to start over in a new location, or to stand by and support their family despite difficult times. Or it may simply serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving family ties in the face of adversity.
Order DNA origin analysisScherfer: Where does the name Scherfer come from?
The last name Scherfer is primarily of German origin, and is still quite common throughout parts of Germany and in German-speaking regions in Europe. The name is also found in small, but growing pockets of other countries, especially those with historic ties to German immigrants. These include regions of South America, North America, and Australia. It is less common elsewhere, though it may occasionally be found in countries like Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and other places near the former Soviet Union.
In Germany, the name Scherfer is fairly common and prevalent in many parts of the North and West of the country, especially in the states of Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate. South Germany also has a significant population of Scherfer families, primarily concentrated in the Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria regions. Further east, the name is found in small pockets of Saxony and Thuringia.
In modern times, the name Scherfer is no longer confined to Germany or all of Europe, as there are scattered families with this last name in North America, South America, and even Australia. Though it is not overly common, some people of German extraction with this name have spread across the continents since the 19th century. This global scattering can be partially attributed to the ever-changing political and social landscape of Europe at the time, as well as the many migrations of German nationals all over the world.
Variations of the surname Scherfer
The surname Scherfer (sometimes spelled with a C, or alternately as Scharfer) is an occupational surname stemming from the Proto-Germanic word for “sharpener”. As such, the main variants of the surname include Scharfer, Sharfer, Scharf, Sharf, and most likely even Sharp. In addition, some branches of the Scherfer family also adopted patronyms and changed their surnames accordingly. Commonly changed variants of the surname Scherfer include Scherer, Scheffer, Scharfenberg, Scharfenstein, Scharflien, Schrevgeier, and Scherfenstein among others.
Given the broad range of spellings and variants of the surname, it is important to bear in mind that there are a variety of other surnames that have arisen from similar-sounding Germanic words such as ‘sharpen’ or 'sharp' as well-- and which may not necessarily be related to the Scherfer surname.
Surnames are often archetypal documents of cultural history; the only common thread among the diverse varieties of the Scherfer surname is that each one can be traced back to its Proto-Germanic namesake. Over time, an individual’s descendants may have settled in different parts of the world, thus giving rise to different spellings and variants of the same surname.
Famous people with the name Scherfer
- Steve Scherfer: a street artist and cyclist based in South Florida who is known for his abstract murals.
- Mark Scherfer: an American businessman and entrepreneur, he is the founder of GlobalYouthBuilders and GlobalSchools.
- Pasqualina Scherfer: a contemporary artist and director, she is the founder of Radio Digital Arts.
- David Scherfer: an American businessman, author, investor, and philanthropist, he is the founder and Managing Director of Honolulu-based Inventor Capital.
- Marceline Scherfer: an Austrian graphic designer, author and art director.
- Eva Scherfer: an Austrian actress, she is known for her roles in the films Where The Love Rules, Love Nepal, and Liebedienstleistungen.
- Martin Scherfer: a Swiss artist and sculptor, he is known for his bronze sculptures.
- Paul Scherfer: a Swiss-born American businessman, investor, and philanthropist, he co-founded the Hartford Investment and Management Company in Connecticut.
- Adrienne Scherfer: an American fashion designer, she is best known for her eponymous label and luxury leather bags.
- Pierre Scherfer: a French theologian and psychiatrist, he is the founder of the International Institute for Integrative Medicine.