Surname Scharff - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Scharff: What does the surname Scharff mean?
The last name Scharff is of German origin and is derived from the German word “Scharf”, meaning “sharp”. This term can refer to a number of different things, ranging from sharp intelligence to being able to make clever observations. It could also refer to a sharp wit or the ability to think analytically and logically.
The use of the surname Scharff first emerged in the Middle Ages among families in Germany. It was likely used as a nickname for someone who was deemed to be particularly sharp or clever in some way. As the centuries went on, the name became firmly established as a family name among German-speaking populations.
The surname Scharff can also be found among Jews of German descent; most likely it was adopted along with other German surnames after Jews were required to register a permanent family name in the 1800s.
Although the surname Scharff has remained largely concentrated in Germany, it can also be found among many populations around the world today. This is largely due to emigration throughout the centuries, with many Germans leaving their homeland to settle in other countries.
Overall, the surname Scharff is believed to refer to sharp intelligence and wit, and has been held for many centuries by families of German descent.
Order DNA origin analysisScharff: Where does the name Scharff come from?
The last name Scharff is a fairly uncommon name, but is found mostly in Europe today. It origins are from Germany but has spread to many of the countries of the former German Empire, including Austria, Luxembourg, parts of France, and the Netherlands. In the United States, the name is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, New York, and California, which all have significant German-American populations.
Scharff is a common last name in Germany where it can be traced back to the medieval period. During these times, Scharff was used to described a person who was brave or daring. This is where the name got its start and became used in the German-speaking regions of what is now Europe. The earliest recorded occurrence of the Scharff surname was found in Bohemia, dating back to the 16th century.
Today, the name remains fairly common in its origin countries, particularly in rural areas and in those areas with a strong German presence. In the United States, the name is most commonly found among the German-American populations in Pennsylvania, New York, and California. This is likely due to the significant migration of German-speaking people to those areas in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Scharff name is thus still alive and well today, and can be found across Europe and the United States. Although relatively uncommon, it is easily recognizable and carries with it a strong history and heritage.
Variations of the surname Scharff
The surname Scharff has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most popular variants are Sharff, Sharf, Scharf, Scharff, Schaffe, Schwartz, Schaff, Schoff, and Svarz.
Scharff is a German last name of Ashkenazic origin. It is a variant of the word “sharfe” which means "sharp of the sword" in Yiddish. This surname is found mainly in Germany, Prussia, and Poland, but can be found all over Europe.
The variants of Scharff that appear in Germany are Variants Scharfe, Schärfe, Scharre, Scharrer. Scharrengauer, Schäffer, Schoefer, and Schöffer. In Prussia, Scharff is known as Scharff and Vilnius is known as Shor.
In Poland, variants include Szarff, Shor, Svarz, Szarf, Szarłam and Szaro. In Switzerland, it is known as Schaefer or Schäffer and in Austria it is known as Schoffer. In Russia, it is known as Scharff.
In America, Scharffs are mainly found in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and South Carolina. Variants include Sharfe, Sharf, Scharf, Scharff, Schwartz, Schaff, Schoff, Scaff, Saf, and Scopf.
The Scharff surname has many variants that span across multiple countries and cultures. These variants are used as spelling variations to distinguish families and individuals with the same family origin.
Famous people with the name Scharff
- Robert Scharff: Austrian singer, songwriter, and actor.
- Joe Scharff: American special effects supervisor.
- Gideon Scharff: Dutch classical cellist and conductor.
- Mark Scharff: American astrophysicist, president of the Rochester Institute of Technology.
- Heinrich Scharff: German classical composer and organist.
- David Scharff: American psychoanalyst and writer.
- Joanna Scharff: American neurobiologist and professor.
- Reinhard Scharff: German sociologist and cultural theorist.
- Stephen Scharff: American business executive and philanthropist.
- Robert Scharff: German entrepreneur and inventor.
- Edwin Scharff: German painter and graphic artist.
- Monika Scharff: American herpetologist and wildlife biologist.
- Athina Scharff: Austrian artist and illustrator.
- Ben Scharff: British entrepreneur and investor.
- David Scharff: American psychoanalyst and writer.
- Erika Scharff: German architect, designer, and sculptor.
- Skylar Scharff: American actress and singer.
- Frank Scharff: German-born American biologist and leader in the field of animal behavior.
- Lee Scharff: American jazz guitarist and composer.
- Louise Scharff: Austrian artist and illustrator.