Surname Zapf - Meaning and Origin
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Zapf: What does the surname Zapf mean?
The last name Zapf is a German-language name originating from the Middle Ages. It is derived from the German word "zapfen," which means "tap" or "peg," and originally referred to people who lived near a tap or turn in a river. It may also have evolved into an occupational name for people who drew water from a well or other water source.
The first recorded instance of the name is from the late 13th century in Bavaria, Germany, where it appears as a surname used by a knight who owned some local land. By the late 16th century it had spread to other parts of Germany and was also found in Austria and Switzerland.
By the 19th century, it was established as a family name and can now be found throughout Europe and the Americas. Many of the descendants of the original Zapf family now spell the surname in various different ways, such as Zaepf, Zapp, Zapps, and Tappe, making it difficult to trace back to its original form.
Aside from its origins, the Zapf surname has also been linked to German-born landscape artist Heinrich Johann Lipmann Zapf (1790-1873), who was commissioned to paint views of his hometown of Munich.
Today, the Zapf surname is still found throughout the world and is a reminder of the family’s past and a testament to their evolution over the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisZapf: Where does the name Zapf come from?
The last name Zapf is most common today in Germany and surrounding countries. It is estimated that over 8,000 people across Europe, especially in Germany, bear the name Zapf.
The name is derived from the Old German word “zapfen,” meaning “to tap” or “to cut off”, and is usually connected with a number of associated place names. It is thought that the earliest bearers of the Zapf name derived from an ancient family who lived in the Hanania region of Germany, near the Austrian border.
In modern Germany, the Zapf family is found primarily in Bavaria, Hessen and Baden-Wurttemberg – but there are also members of the Zapf family living throughout Europe, as well as the US and Canada as a result of emigration in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Zapf family name is likely to have had some degree of influence in early German beer production, as the name reflects a past profession of tapping beer barrels or cutting the staves, a process essential for brewery production.
In modern times, the Zapf family remains well represented in Germany, as well as throughout the US, Canada, Australia, and other countries where German emigrants sought a new home.
Variations of the surname Zapf
The surname Zapf is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘zaf’, which means ‘cloak’ or ‘protection’.
The most common variants of the name are Zapfe, Zapp and Zappe. Some common alternate spellings include Zoepf, Zoepfe, Zepp, Zeppe.
Surnames of similar origin and meaning include Sapp, Sepp, and Seif.
The Zapf family was among the first recorded in the area of Hesse, Germany. In the mid-19th century it was a fairly common name in that region and is mainly found in Germany today.
The surname has spread throughout the world, particularly to the United States, Canada, and other parts of Europe. There is also a Zapf family in Brazil, whose ancestor emigrated there in the late 19th century.
The Zapf family was well-respected, and their name was associated with authority. Their wealth and stature allowed them various privileges throughout Europe during the 19th century.
They are represented within the United States in the so-called “Double Z Club”, founded in 1922, which includes more than a thousand members of the Zapf family from the U.S. and Canada.
Although the Zapf surname is not particularly common in most regions of the world, individuals belonging to the familial line of Zapf tend to stay connected. The family is renowned for their loyalty and helpfulness, and family members are often eager to help and support each other.
Famous people with the name Zapf
- Hermann Zapf: German typeface designer and calligrapher, often referred to as one of the type industry’s most important figures of the 20th century. He was a professor at the Academy of Applied Arts in Frankfurt until he retired in 1993.
- Hans J. Zapf: German engineer and physicist who conducted important research on the behavior of antennas and acoustics. He was an associate professor at the Institute of Theoretical Physics at the Technical University of Munich until 1981.
- David Zapf: American author and illustrator of a number of popular children’s books.
- Matthew Zapf: Actor bestknown for his portrayal of Dr. Anderson in the TV series “Chicago Med”.
- Philippe Zapf: French sculptor who specializes in interdisciplinary art and installations.
- Marina von Neumann Whitney: Former professor emerita at Brandeis University and daughter of Hermann Zapf.
- Angelika Zapf: German artist and printmaker whose focus is on dealing with inner experiences.
- André Zapf: Animator, illustrator, and comic artist known for his work on DreamWorks series such as “The Boss Baby: Back in Business”, “Turbo FAST”, and “Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny”.
- Roman Zapf: Professor of sociology at the University of Erlangen-Nurnberg, Germany.
- Georg Zapf: German World War II soldier who fought in the Battle of Stalingrad.