Surname Scherfling - Meaning and Origin
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Scherfling: What does the surname Scherfling mean?
The last name Scherfling is of German origin and is derived from the German word “Schäfer” meaning “shepherd”. This name was likely taken on by those who were in the occupation of herding and tending animals, especially sheep. It was derived to differentiate between different families doing the same work and therefore served as a surname. It may also be derived from a nickname given to someone who was particularly good at herding or shepherding animals.
The variant spellings of the surname Scherfling include Schärfling, Scharfling and Sharpfling. Another variant of the surname includes Scherpling, which is derived from the German word “Schorling”, a nickname meaning “bearded one”, or a person who was particularly talented at shepherding livestock.
Today, the last name Scherfling is associated with people who have strong ties to their German heritage, and who value hard work, loyalty and strong familial bonds. The surname has spread across the world, and people with the last name Scherfling can be found in many different countries and cultures, though the majority can be found in countries with a significant German population, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisScherfling: Where does the name Scherfling come from?
The last name Scherfling is common in many areas throughout the world, primarily in parts of Europe. It is particularly found in Germany and Austria, where it is thought to be one of the oldest German surnames.
In Austria, most people named Scherfling are clustered around the area around Vienna and Upper Austria. Records from the 14th century indicate that the Scherfling family had been living in the area since at least this time.
The spelling of the surname is highly variable – some spell it Scherfling while others spell it Scherflinger. Similarly, variants of the surname have been found in Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria and Hesse in Germany.
In America, Scherfling is a less common surname. While there are some records of Scherfling arriving in the USA around the mid 19th century, most of these people appear to have changed their name to other variants such as Scharfling and Sherfling.
In France, the name is usually spelled ‘Scherffling’. This spelling variant can be found in the Parisian area, where it is argued to have been in use since the 15th century.
Overall, the last name Scherfling is most notably associated with German-speaking countries and the regions of Europe where German is spoken. It is a relatively rare surname in other parts of the world, though some diverse spellings and variants have been adopted in other countries.
Variations of the surname Scherfling
The surname Scherfling is of German origin, and is derived from an old German word meaning “dweller on a meadow”. It is still a quite uncommon surname, primarily found in Germany and some German-speaking countries, but there are various spellings and surnames of the same origin that originate from this name.
The most common spelling of the surname Scherfling is Shürfling, also spelled Schuerfling and Schörfling. It is quite common in southern areas of Germany, and many of the bearers of this surname migrated to the US, Canada and other German-speaking countries.
Other variants and spellings of the name include Scharfling, Scherfel, Scharfle, Scharfel, Shaffel, Schaffel, Sharfel, Scharfenberg, Scherpfling and Shorfling.
Surnames of similar origin are Sharfleisch, Shorfleisch, Scherpfel, Scheerbel and Scharpel.
The surname Shürfling can be found in records of Germany and surrounding countries from as early as the Middle Ages. It is an interesting surname to research and explore, offering insight into the influence of geography on surname usage and development.
Famous people with the name Scherfling
- Matt Scherfling: American broadcast meteorologist
- Robert Scherfling: American film producer
- Steven Scherfling: German footballer
- Eugene Scherfling: US Navy veteran and international traveler
- Lionel Scherfling: French Alpine skier
- Joseph Scherfling: American artist
- Carl Scherfling: German WWI general
- Peter Scherfling: Austrian-American clarinetist
- Lawrence Scherfling: American aviation trailblazer
- Irving Scherfling: American pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals