Surname Shoaf - Meaning and Origin
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Shoaf: What does the surname Shoaf mean?
The last name Shoaf is thought to be of German origin, and is derived from the words "schof" and "schoff" which mean "shepherd". Some sources suggest that the origin of the name is actually English, and derived from an Old English term meaning "stubborn". Originating in the early Middle Ages, the last name Shoaf is likely a toponymic surname, meaning it was derived from the location of a person's home.
Today, there are thousands of people with the last name Shoaf, predominantly scattered throughout the United States, Austria, Germany, and England. The most common variant spelling is Shouf, which is most common in Germany.
The Shoaf surname can be found in numerous records dating back to the 16th century. In 1525, a residential record in Baden-Wuerttemburg, Germany listed a Thomas Shoef living in the area. In 1560, Cornelius Schoff was noted in the records of Protestant Urbana, France. In 1715, Johannes Schaef was the subject of a pay list in Salhausen, Germany.
The history of the Shoaf Family and its place in Germany and the United States is one that will continue to be studied and documented for years to come. Along with the twentieth century records of military service, naturalization documents, and other records, the Shoaf name will remain an important part of the history of Europe and the United States for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisShoaf: Where does the name Shoaf come from?
The last name Shoaf is most commonly found in the United States today. In 2020, it was the 8,812th most common name in the US. It is most populous in West Virginia, where almost 0.002% of the population bears the name Shoaf. It is also found in Pennsylvania, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Virginia.
Shoaf is an anglicized version of the German-Swiss variant Schauf, which is derived from the Middle High German term schoufe or schouben, meaning to shovel or scrape. The name was likely given to those who made a living as a shoveler or miner. The Shoaf name is found as early as 1610 in Switzerland and 1628 in Germany; it is believed that some of the Shoaf settlers immigrated to the US in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Over the years, Shoaf families have spread throughout the country, though many still remain in the Appalachian and midwestern regions of the country. While the name is not as common as it once was, the Shoaf name is a lasting reminder of the family’s heritage and its German-Swiss origins.
Variations of the surname Shoaf
Shoaf is an uncommon English-American surname of uncertain origins, with multiple variants and spellings. It is unclear if the name is derived from a place or if it simply means someone who “shovels” or is skilled in some other shovel-related trade. This surname is most commonly seen originated in Pennsylvania, especially in the regions of Lancaster and Berks counties. Common variants and spellings of Shoaf include Shoff, Shof, Schoff, Schoffe, Schoffel, Shoffen, Shoffeld, Schoaf, Schoefeld, Schoef, Schoefen, Schowefs, Schoufe, Schoufefe, Schoufen, and Schouffe.
Surnames that are of similar origin to Shoaf are Shiff, Schiff, Shifflett, Schif, Schifler, and Schiflete. These names may have been curved through the usage of an interchangeable ‘f’ and ‘v’ sound. The names Schaffer, Schaeffer, Schafer, Shafer, Schoffstall, Scoff, Shaver, and Sheaffer are also thought to possibly be connected to Shoaf.
The Shoaf name has spread across the United States, but its origin is still unknown. It can be found in various records, including birth, death, marriage, and military records, as well as immigration and land.
Famous people with the name Shoaf
- Ian Shoaf: Ian Shoaf is an American actor and director, best known for his work on projects such as "The Flash," "American Horror Story," and "NCIS: Los Angeles."
- Jack Shoaf: Jack Shoaf works as a Senior Software Engineer at LinkedIn Corporation.
- Tyler Shoaf: Tyler Shoaf is a professional stuntman and actor, primarily associated with films such as "Logan," "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," and "Venom."
- Benji Shoaf: Benji Shoaf is a professional skateboarder, musician, and fashion designer.
- Shelly Shoaf: Shelly Shoaf is an American politician and member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
- David Shoaf: David Shoaf is an actor, best known for his role in the independent film "The Power of Three."
- Tom Shoaf: Tom Shoaf is an investigative reporter, researcher, and author. His articles have appeared in various publications, including The New Yorker, Slate, and The Atlantic.
- David W. Shoaf: David W. Shoaf is a former Attorney General of West Virginia.
- Kyle Shoaf: Kyle Shoaf is an actor, best known for his performance in the award winning short film "The Science of Sleep."
- Pat Shoaf: Pat Shoaf is an American football coach who is currently the head coach at Campbell University.