Surname Scherfius - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Scherfius: What does the surname Scherfius mean?
The surname Scherfius is of German origin and is derived from the personal name "Scherf" or "Schärf" meaning sharp or keen. It is a habitational name, likely derived from an area in Bavaria. It first appeared in records during the 16th century in Germany and since then has spread to many other countries around the world.
Today, the surname Scherfius is most common in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. Those with the surname may be descended from several lines of Scherfius who lived in different German states in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the United States, modern day immigrants that were descended from Scherfius first arrived in the late 19th century.
The surname Scherfius includes several variants such as Scherfy, Scherfey, Scherfie, and Scherfyus. An analysis of the name suggests that the family is likely of peasant or middle-class origin. Although, there were a few Scherfius families that were of higher social and economic standing.
The Scherfius family have contributed greatly to their respective communities in terms of both culture and industry. A significant number of family members have pursued various professions and served in the military. In addition, several members have made meaningful contributions to the sciences and arts, particularly in Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisScherfius: Where does the name Scherfius come from?
The last name Scherfius is most commonly found in Germany, especially in the northern and western parts of the country. It is also prominent in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands, specifically the northern and western parts of these countries as well. It is even found in smaller countries such as Lithuania and Latvia, but it is much less frequently recorded there.
Within Germany, Scherfius is mainly found in the states of Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Lower Saxony. It is particularly popular in North Rhine-Westphalia, which has the second-largest population in Germany and a strong concentration of cultural and religious diversity. Lower Saxony is the seventh-largest state in the country and is home to many large cities, such as Hannover and Bremen.
The last name Scherfius is thought to have come from an old Germanic word, meaning “leader” or “guardian”. Its origin is thought to be in what is now the Netherlands, before the name was spread throughout the region by travelers or traders over time. It has become more widespread as migration has continued throughout Europe.
In recent years, many people of German descent have emigrated to different parts of the world, particularly America, Australia, and New Zealand. Therefore, it is quite possible to find individuals with the last name Scherfius in other countries. With the advent of the internet and genealogy websites, it is now even easier to track down family members with this surname living in various parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Scherfius
The surname Scherfius is a Dutch-Germanic surname derived from the Middle Low German scharf (‘sharp’, ‘shrewd’). Variations and alternate spellings of this surname include Scharf, Scherff, Scharff, Scharffus, Scherf, Scharfus, Scharffius, Sharf, Sharff, and Scharfius.
Variations of the surname Scherfius can appear in both Dutch and German-speaking regions, so depending on the particular dialect in the area, various spelling variations of this surname emerged. Additionally, variations of the name can be found in other countries, particularly in areas of North America during migration.
In Germany, the most common variations of this surname include Scharff and Scharf, particularly in northern Germany, while variations such as Sherf, Sharff, Scherf, and Scharffius can appear in southern German and Austrian regions. In the Netherlands, most variations will appear as Scherff or Scherf.
In North America, the form of Scherfius that most commonly appears is Sharf, as it is listed more frequently in records from the United States and Canada than other variations. Variations that appear in North America most often include Sharf, Scharff, Scharffus, and Scherf.
Other variations of the name that appear in North American records are Sharff, Scharfus, Scharf, and Scharfius. It should also be noted that many of the Dutch-speaking immigrants to North America adopted anglicized versions of their surnames, which further complicated the process of determining surname variations.
Famous people with the name Scherfius
- Anneli Scherfius: A Finnish journalist, cultural proprietor, and former newsreader of the Finnish Broadcasting Company.
- Mats Scherfius: A Swedish football midfielder who played for Hammarby IF in Allsvenskan.
- Wolfram Scherfius: A German illustrator and paper artist.
- Jean-Pierre Scherfius: A Dutch football midfielder who played for FC Volendam in the Netherlands.
- Alexandra Scherfius: A German photographer and photojournalist who specializes in documentary and reportage photography.
- Artur Scherfius: A Finnish actor who has appeared in a number of notable films, including The Man Without a Past and Reconstructing Dacy.
- Ida Schefius: A German model and former Miss Germany 2005 winner.
- Robert Schefius: A Swedish actor who appeared in the Swedish film version of Idol.
- Jacob Schefius: An American sculptor who created the 1956 sculpture Martenot, a twenty-foot tall bronze sculpture.
- Paul Schefius: An American art director and production designer who has worked on numerous television series and films, including Hostages, Inception, and The Invisible Man.