Surname von Scharfenort - Meaning and Origin

von Scharfenort: What does the surname von Scharfenort mean?

The last name von Scharfenort is of German origin, meaning “from Scharfenort”. The exact history of the family is not clear, but it likely dates back to the Middle Ages when aristocratic families lived in fortified castles, known as “Scharfenort” in German. This suggests that the people with the surname von Scharfenort were part of a noble family. It’s likely that the family had a residence in Scharfenort, in either present-day Germany or Austria, at some point in its history.

The name “Scharfenort” is derived from the German word “scharf”, meaning “hard” or “tough”. This implies that the family was considered to be strong and powerful. It is possible that the name was bestowed on the family to reflect their prominent status in their community.

The surname von Scharfenort is still held by many people today, especially those living in Germany or Austria. Those with the name can be proud of their heritage—the rich history of a family that has remained prominent over the centuries. It’s a reminder of the power and prestige once associated with this family, and a reminder of the strength and character that is still found in those holding the name today.

von Scharfenort: Where does the name von Scharfenort come from?

The last name von Scharfenort is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. It is also present in a handful of other countries due to immigrations from Germany, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The earliest record of the name was in 1277, when a reference is made to a ‘Johan von Scharfenort’ in the town of Thann in the province of Baden-Württemberg. This suggests that the name refers to a person or family from that area of Germany, likely of noble or aristocratic descent.

Since then, the name has gained prominence in the area, particularly around the town of Scharfenort, which is in the neighboring province of Bavaria. This likely gave rise to the name, as people in the area adopted or assumed it for themselves as a sign of local pride or status.

The name is still frequently found in both states, particularly in the Bavarian region of Upper Swabia. Other areas of Germany that have a high population of von Scharfenorts include the Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, and Berlin regions.

Outside of Germany, von Scharfenorts are found in small numbers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and various other countries. Interestingly, the name can also be found in Paraguay, perhaps due to post-World War II immigrations from Germany. It is unlikely that the name will grow in popularity outside of Germany, however, as its origin lies firmly in the region.

Variations of the surname von Scharfenort

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname von Scharfenort include Von Schroffenort, Von Scharfenorte, Scharfenorth, Scharfenor, Scharpfenort, Scharpfenorth, Schreffeneorth, Schreffeneort, Schreffeneorte, Schreffeneorthe, Schreffiorth, Schreffiorthe, Scharfenorth, Scharfenorthe, Scharforte, Scharforth, Scharforrth, and Scharforrthe. These all have Germanic roots.

von Scharfenort was likely derived from the low Latin word "scalpenorte" or "schalpenorte" which means "narrow valley" in Old English, a reference to a place of origin. The Von Scharfenorts may have taken their name from a location near a small, narrow valley, or from a small valley itself. This would explain why the name has so many spelling variants - many people likely applied words close to their own language that still held a similar meaning.

Other possible etymologies of von Scharfenort include "sharp edge of a sword" or "sharp stronghold". The surname has been found in records all over Germany, indicating a widespread origin story. It could also refer to a person with a sharp tongue, often being used as an insult in some areas. Regardless of its origin story, the von Scharfenort name is held in high regard, and is popularly used by those of aristocratic descent in Germany.

Famous people with the name von Scharfenort

• Uschi von Scharfenort Frye: German fashion designer
• Kriss von Scharfenort: German actor
• Sybille von Scharfenort: German opera singer
• Ricky von Scharfenort: German DJ and electronic music producer
• Helga von Scharfenort: German playwright, novelist and poet
• Birger von Scharfenort: German movie actor
• Ingrid von Scharfenort: German Olympic athlete
• Max von Scharfenort: German hockey player
• Otto von Scharfenort: German politician
• Wulf von Scharfenort: German philologist, historian and author

Other surnames

von Scharfenberg