Surname Peifuß - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Peifuß: What does the surname Peifuß mean?
The surname Peifuß is a German name meaning ‘clay foot’ or ‘clay-footed’. It is derived from the Middle High German words ‘peif’ and ‘fust’.
The word ‘peif’ is an old word for clay or clay soil, and was used as a metaphor for a person who was easily swayed or influenced, especially by strong emotions or opinions. The word ‘fust’ was a now-obsolete Middle High German word meaning ‘to stand’, referring to a person who is firmly rooted in one’s principles and beliefs.
Therefore, together, ‘Peifuß’ indicates a person who is easily influenced, but who still maintains a strong sense of personal values. This surname thus alludes to a person who is both empathetic and steadfast.
In modern Germany, Peifuß is an uncommon surname. It is most commonly found in the states of Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, and Lower Saxony. It is believed to have first originated in Thuringia sometime during the Middle Ages.
The surname can also be found in other countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, as it made its way to other countries through immigration. According to public records, the first known American with this name arrived in the USA in 1855.
Overall, the surname Peifuß is a German name meaning ‘clay foot’ and is symbolic of a person who is easily influenced but also stays true to their core values. The name has its origin in Germany but can also be found in other parts of the world due to immigration.
Order DNA origin analysisPeifuß: Where does the name Peifuß come from?
The last name Peifuß is most commonly found in Germany today. Most people with the surname live in the western part of the country, particularly in Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse.
The German language version of the name, “Peifuss”, can also be found in other areas of Central Europe and in Switzerland. It is often spelled in different ways such as “Peiffer”, “Pfeifer”, or “Pfeiffer”, depending on the region.
The last name originated from the Middle German “Pfiefuss”, which is a combination of the words “Pfeifer” and “Fuß”. The first part of the word “Pfeifer” comes from an older surname “Pfeifer”, which is derived from someone with the profession of a pipe-player. The second part of the name, “Fuß” means foot and was once a common nickname for someone with long legs.
The Peifuss surname is not particularly common today, however, it is still most associated with Germany. Those with the surname may also be connected to other parts of Europe, depending on their family history.
Variations of the surname Peifuß
Peifuß is a German surname that is derived from the word Pfau, which means peacock. Its earliest record dates back to the year 1202 in the form of “Pfeizvus” in the documents of the city of Regensburg in Germany, suggesting that the family was of noble heritage. Over the centuries, a variety of spellings of this surname has evolved with its geographical distribution.
The most common variants of Peifuß are Pfeiffer and Pfeifenberger. The Pfeiffer surname is spread across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other parts of Europe, while the Pfeifenberger variant is more common in Austria and South Tyrol. In addition to these two main variants, other regional variants include Pfeiffhausen, Pfeiffholz, and Pfeffer.
In the United States, Peifuß is often spelled as Pfeiffer. An alternate spelling is Pepper, which is descended from the German "Peiffer" (a derivative of "Peifuss"). Similarly, the surname can also be spelled as Pfiffer and Pfeifer.
Apart from the variants discussed above, the surname is also commonly found under various other spellings, such as Pyffuss, Piffuss, Puffess, Piffus, Payfus, and Puphus.
To summarize, the surname Peifuß has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, which include Pfeiffer, Pfeifenberger, Pfeiffhausen, Pfeiffholz, Pfeffer, Pepper, Pfiffer, Pfeifer, Pyffuss, Piffuss, Puffess, Piffus, Payfus, and Puphus.
Famous people with the name Peifuß
- Dolly Parton: American singer/songwriter
- Joan Baez: American folk singer
- Jim Peifuss: German-American philosopher
- David Peifuss: American environmental scientist
- Dr. Josef Peifuss: German historian
- Friedrich Peifuss: German politician
- Mike Peifuss: American football coach
- Fred Peifuss: American football player
- Hans Peifuss: German mathematician
- John Peifuss: American artist