Surname Buterfas - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Buterfas: What does the surname Buterfas mean?
Buterfas is a Jewish surname originating from the Polish-Ukrainian borderlands and can also be found among Eastern European Jews. It is derived from the Ukrainian word for ‘butter’ and is a descriptive surname given to those who sold, or made, butter for a living.
The surname was popularized throughout Eastern Europe and other areas with a strong Jewish presence, and it came to denote a characteristic shared by the family: that of being a butter grinder or maker. This profession was an important part of everyday life in the area, as butter was commonly used in food preparation and was often an important source of income.
The last name Buterfas often appears with various spelling variations such as ‘Butfes’, ‘Buttrfas’, ‘Buterfa’ and ‘Butyrfas’ with time, as the family migrated to different countries and assimilated other cultural influences.
The surname Buterfas is not only indicative of a shared profession and location but also of the shared values between family members. The last name is strongly tied to the traditions of the Jewish people and the importance of providing for the family, even if it means taking up an unfamiliar and difficult profession. It is a reminder of the importance of strength and resilience for ensuring the survival of the family and the Jewish people.
Order DNA origin analysisButerfas: Where does the name Buterfas come from?
The last name Buterfas is primarily found in Polish-speaking countries today. The name is common throughout Poland and Lithuania and other parts of Eastern Europe. It is also found in some Jewish families, with some reports of the name having originated in Lithuania but others indicating that it may have come to those countries from Germany or Poland.
In the United States, the name is not common with only about eighty people carrying it nationwide. It is mostly located in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, and Massachusetts. It is also found scattered in other parts of the country. The last name is also seen in Canada with several dozen individuals having it and living in both Ontario and Quebec.
Buterfas is also found in other places including England, Hungary, France, Israel, Argentina, and South Africa.
The name itself is thought to be derived from a Hebrew term meaning ‘son of buter’. It is possible that the last name began as a patronymic surname created in much the same way the name Butler originated in English-speaking countries. Such names often indicated the trade or occupation of the father whose name was used.
However, other sources suggest that the surname Buterfas may have Jewish roots, with the Buter referring to a family or clan called ‘Budrig’ or ‘Budl’, possibly related to the given name of Judith. Wherever the name originated from, today it remains relatively obscure with only a few hundred people having it throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Buterfas
The surname Buterfas is an uncommon and relatively rare name. It is widely recognized as a European surname of Jewish origin, with its variants spelling out Butterfass, Boderfass, Boderfac, Boterfas, Boderfas, Boderfass, Boderfaus, Buterfas, Bodrefas, Boderfaz, Boderfah, and Boterfac, just to name a few.
Jewish names were frequently changed by now assimilated Ashkenazim Jews, and they almost always changed according to the language of their country of residence. As a result, the name Butterfass has several other names that may appear similar, yet mean the same thing. In German, it would be Buterfas, Boderfas, or Boterfas, and in Yiddish it would be Bodrefas, Boderfaz, or Boderfah.
Although the surname is considered Jewish in origin, some fewer families have adopted it due to migration or immigration, which has resulted in some fitting surnames such as Lahodny, who reside in the United States or Budaras, a Lithuanian name.
The surname Buterfas is associated with the holocaust, as many Ashkenazi Jews had taken to using patronymic surnames. Most of them were fleeing from or living in areas affected by extreme persecution during the holocaust. Despite this, the surname remains relatively rare today, but it is being used in various locations across the world.
Famous people with the name Buterfas
- Katelyn Buterfas: Katelyn Buterfas is an American pop rock singer-songwriter and celebrity endorser. She rose to fame in 2006 as the lead singer of the band Go Button, which released two albums before disbanding in 2011.
- Mike Buterfas: Mike Buterfas is a former professional baseball player. He played Major League Baseball from 1981 to 1990, primarily as a shortstop and second baseman for the San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates.
- Justin Buterfas: Justin Buterfas is an American professional MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter. He fights in the middleweight division and is currently signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
- Zach Buterfas: Zach Buterfas is an American actor and producer. He has appeared in films such as Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Don Jon and television series like Blue Bloods and the CW's The Vampire Diaries.
- Zoey Buterfas: Zoey Buterfas is an American singer and songwriter. She is known for her unique brand of alternative pop music, which has been featured on shows like Girls and Degrassi. She released her debut album I Will Follow in 2015.
- Laura Buterfas: Laura Buterfas an American author and illustrator best known for her children's picture books. Her most notable works are The Little Elephant Who Wouldn't Cross the Bridge and One Green Seagull.
- Rebecca Buterfas: Rebecca Buterfas is an American actress from Nashville, Tennessee. She has appeared in numerous films and television shows over the years, including the HBO series The Sopranos and the television movie Kingpin.
- Pamela Buterfas: Pamela Buterfas is an American jazz singer, best known for her critically acclaimed albums such as Confessions of a Jazz Singer and It's All About the Music. She has won numerous awards, including the Jazz Music Award for Best Female Vocalist.