Surname Schärffe - Meaning and Origin
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Schärffe: What does the surname Schärffe mean?
The last name Schärffe is a German surname that originated in the Rhineland Palatinate area of Germany. The word “Schärffe” is derived from the Middle High German word “scherpfen”, which translates to “to sharpen”. The name may have been initially associated with someone who made a profession out of sharpening tools or blades, that is, a blacksmith or knife sharpener. It could also have been the name of someone who played the part of an executioner or execution witness in medieval festivals and processions. The Schärffe surname was often written as Schaerpfe, Scherff, Scherpf, Scharff, Scharfe, or Schaerie.
The first bearer of the Schärffe surname was Stephen Scherpf, a German immigrant who settled in Pennsylvania in the 18th century. Since then, the Schärffe family has spread to many areas throughout the United States. Even today, the Schärffe surname is one of the most common German surnames found in the United States.
The Schärffe family has a long and storied history in Germany. A Schärffe Lord, Friedrich II, served as one of the most powerful religious leaders in Europe in the late 17th century. He was one of the first to work to secure property rights for all farmers, and issued the famous Edict of Toleration, which allowed for the freedom of religions in Germany.
The Schärffe name carries with it a meaning of sharpness, strength, and dedication. It is a name that represents the hardworking and resilient nature of the individuals who share it. Throughout history, the Schärffe have been dedicated to pursue the greater good and bring about positive change.
Order DNA origin analysisSchärffe: Where does the name Schärffe come from?
The last name Schärffe is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is thought to have originated in parts of Germany and Austria with some variations in spelling, such as Scharffe or Schaarffe. It is believed to have first become popular in the late Middle Ages when the Schärffe family had established themselves as yarn and fabric merchants.
The Schärffe family later spread throughout the German-speaking countries of Europe and parts of North America. In Germany they are primarily located in the north-western regions of North Rhein-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Hamburg as well as in the south-west region of Bavaria. In Austria they are most commonly found in Upper and Lower Austria, while in Switzerland they are primarily located in the cantons of Zurich, Aargau, and Basel-Stadt.
The Schärffe name is also relatively common in parts of Canada, primarily in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. In the United States, the majority of Schärffes reside in states that have historically been home to large German-speaking populations, such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Today the Schärffe name is still most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Central Europe, as well as in pockets of North America and the United Kingdom where German immigrants have settled.
Variations of the surname Schärffe
The surname Schärffe is a German surname thought to originate from the occupation of sharpening sword blades. Variations and spellings of Schärffe includes: Schaerf, Scharff, Scharffe, Schärf, Sharf, Sharff, Sharffe, Schaerff, Scharffee and Scharfee.
S layered into surname or derivatives with the original spelling of Schärffe, the common variations and spellings of this surname are simply a reflection of the language and countries in which they have been used. Schärffe is typically common in areas of Germanic speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia, and the Netherlands. In countries such as the United States it is more likely to appear as Scharff, Sharf, or Sharff.
In other parts of Europe, and particularly England and Scotland, this surname was often pronounced as Sherrod, Sherwood, Sherf, Shroff and Sharrod. Further spelling variations include Scherf, Scherff, Scherfee, Sherfe, Sharfd, Sharfede, Scharf, Scharfde, Scharfe, Scharfd, Scharfed, Scharped, Scharpt, Scharfpt and Serge.
In addition to several surnames, there are also some variants of Schärffe that extend beyond just the spelling. For example, within German speaking countries, the surname Quadfasel is thought to have been derived from the original surname Schärffe. It is most likely to have been used in dialectical conversation, where Scharf was replaced with Quadfasel.
In some instances, many of these surnames have also been connected with places, such as the village of Scharfeneck in the German state of Brandenburg. It is possible that at some point in history some of the original bearers of the surname Schärffe might have either moved to, or originated from this region.
Given the number of variations, spellings, and surnames that have derived from Schärffe, it can be concluded that this surname has a long and varied history of usage in many different regions and countries. Its survival throughout time is a testament to its cultural significance and its continued relevance in modern society.
Famous people with the name Schärffe
- Annika Schärffe: the former television presenter and editor of Germany's ProSieben Sunday Night program.
- Bernhard Schärffe: a popular German actor and television host.
- Wilhelm Schärffe: a German academic and historian who served as a professor at the Göttingen University of Applied Sciences.
- Wolfram Schärffe: a prominent German neurologist and professor of clinical neurophysiology at the Technical University of Munich.
- Florian Schärffe: a German author, lyricist and publisher.
- Konrad Schärffe: a German entrepreneur and former CEO of Real Holding.
- Karl Schärffe: a German artist, sculptor and glass painter.
- René Schärffe: a Swiss downhill skier who competed at the 2017 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup.
- Jürgen Schärffe: the former international league soccer player and the coach of German second league soccer club SC Freiburg.
- Mathilde Schärffe: a German singer, songwriter and author.