Surname Scharfhausen - Meaning and Origin
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Scharfhausen: What does the surname Scharfhausen mean?
Scharfhausen is a German surname, derived from the Old High German words 'scharf' and 'hūs', which roughly translates as 'sharply guarded house'. The great coat of arms of the Scharfhausen family depicts a castle with three towers, which is symbolic of the defended house.
The Scharfhausen family is believed to have originated in the area of Germany between the Rhine and Ruhr rivers, and spread to the bordering countries and beyond during the Middle Ages.
The Scharfhausen surname is believed to have been adopted by those who lived in properties with a defensive structure during the Middle Ages. Such structures, often patterned after the castles of the ruling feudal lords, were common during this time of political upheaval and unrest.
The Scharfhausen name has been used by members of the professional class, including doctors, engineers, teachers, scientists, and other professionals, as well as members of the military.
Today, the Scharfhausen surname is used by individuals in various parts of the world. Its origins are steeped in history, and its meaning stands as a reminder of a time when political unrest necessitated the need for fortified dwellings.
Order DNA origin analysisScharfhausen: Where does the name Scharfhausen come from?
The surname Scharfhausen is a mostly Germanic name which is most commonly found in mainland Europe, with a particular focus in Germany, Austria, and a few northeastern European countries.
In Germany, Scharfhausen is spoken in the northwestern region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and the eastern corner of Lower Saxony. In the historical region of the same name, Scharfhausen is the most popular surname. In Austria, Scharfhausen is mostly common in Vienna, Graz, and the Tyrolian region of western Austria.
Outside of Europe, the surname is quite rare, though it appears more frequently in North America. In the United States, it is the 600th most common name. Most of the bearers of the name can be found in the centralmost parts of the country, such as Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
Canada, meanwhile, has bearers of the name Scharfhausen scattered across the country. These places include the Maritimes, Halifax, Toronto, Alberta and northern British Columbia.
No matter what part of the world one is from, the surname Scharfhausen remains relatively uncommon and is not typically heard outside of a tight-knit community of Scharfhausen descendants.
Variations of the surname Scharfhausen
The surname Scharfhausen is a German name that is derived from the Middle High German words 'schar', meaning sharp, and 'hause', meaning house. The variants of the surname may include Scharhausen and Scharffhausen.
Due to sound changes and the fact that German surnames were often spelled phonetically, there are various spellings of the surname including Scharfhaussen, Scharfhause, Scharffhaus, Scharfhousen, Scharfhouson, Scharfhouse, ScharfHausen, and Scharfhansen.
Surnames that are likely of the same origin as Scharfhausen include Scharffusen, Scharfman, Scharfmann, Scherfhausen, Scharfhans, and Scharausen. These surnames may have the same origins as Scharfhausen due to the high frequency of name changes through the years.
Other variants such as Sharffhouse, Scharffhonsen, and Scharfuse may also be linked to the original name depending on where the family originated from and other historical evidence.
Overall, Scharfhausen is an old German name of uncertain origin, and due to changes in language and spelling, many surnames of similar origin exist. It is important to research family records to identify which variants are connected to an individual family's history.
Famous people with the name Scharfhausen
- Gerhard Scharfhausen: German actor who has appeared in TV shows such as "Sturm der Liebe".
- Erika Scharfhausen: Swiss professional alpine ski racer who competed in the World Cup circuit. She is a two-time olympian, competing in both the 2002 and 2006 Games.
- Henrike Scharfhausen: Dutch freestyle skier who won a bronze medal in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
- Christoph Scharfhausen: Austrian artist whose body of work has been described as post-conceptual.
- Paul Scharfhausen: American attorney and former FBI special agent.
- Andreas Scharfhausen: German handballer who was part of the 2007 and 2011 World Championships.
- Bill Scharfhausen: American politician who served as a U.S. Congressman from 1969–1977.
- Bernhard Scharfhausen: Austrian author, known mostly for his works on history, such as “Historical Writing in Austria (1800-1920).
- Florian Scharfhausen: German entrepreneur who is the former director of world-renowned electronic music label Get Physical Music.
- Robert Scharfhausen: American political activist who established the Liberty Union Party in 1970 and served as its chairman until 1975.