Surname Pfäffli - Meaning and Origin

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N. Pfäffli

Pfäffli: What does the surname Pfäffli mean?

Pfäffli is a Swiss surname originally derived from the German word "Pfaff", meaning "priest". The suffix "li" was commonly used to denote a person associated with something, in this case, the "Pfaff", meaning priest. The Pfäffli surname is commonly associated with the canton of Zürich in Switzerland, where the surname is most prevalent.

In Switzerland, the surname Pfäffli is typically found concentrated in the central and eastern part of the country. It is believed by some that the name could have been derived from a rather well-known character within Zürich, a priest who was known as Pfichelius before the 16th century. The spelling of Pfäffli was eventually adopted to denote people related to the character, as well as those families who were related to priests and served within the church.

It is generally assumed that the Pfäffli name was borne from generations of priests and individuals associated with the church, who were likely of Swiss or German heritage. Overall, the Pfäffli surname may have likely been adopted by those who were closely related to or involved with churches in the area, and the use of the suffix -li denotes a close familial association with a priest or community leader of the church.

Pfäffli: Where does the name Pfäffli come from?

The last name Pfäffli is of Swiss origin and is concentrated mainly in the cantons of Zurich, Bern, and Basel-Stadt in Switzerland, though it can be found throughout the country. There is also a small concentration of this name in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, and the cantons of Valais and Vaud, as well as in the German canton of Aargau.

Outside of Switzerland, this surname can be found in Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein. It is also present in significant numbers in the United States, particularly in large cities such as New York, California and Colorado.

In the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and other countries, the surname Pfäffli is rarely found, usually involving a few people descended from immigrants to these countries.

The meaning of the name Pfäffli is derived from the old German 'Pfaff', meaning ‘minister or priest’. This surname was originally given to a person who worked for a priest or was descended from a priest. In contemporary times, it is more likely just to be used as a surname.

The last name Pfäffli was common in the Middle Ages and continues to be present in Switzerland today. This name is scattered throughout the country and has also spread to other countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Pfäffli

Pfäffli is a German surname which can take on various alternative spellings or variants, depending on dialect or regional spelling preference. Below are the most commonly seen variants of the surname.

Pfäffle: This is the most common variant of the Pfäffli surname, and is seen in both German and Swiss dialects. This spelling appears to be most historically prevalent.

Pfäfeli: Another version of the Pfäffli surname which is seen more commonly in Swiss dialects. This variant and its related spellings can be seen as far back as the 1400s.

Pfaffli: This variant is found mostly in German dialects, with the double ‘f’ also occasionally being seen in Swiss circles.

Pfaffel: This isn’t as commonly seen as some of the other variants, but still appears regularly in Swiss dialects.

Pfaefli: This variant appears in several areas of Europe and is most often seen in Austria and Northern Germany. This spelling could also have variants with a double ‘f’, such as Pfaefffli.

Pfeffli: This is another variant, and is similar to the previously mentioned Pfaefli. The two variants are seen often interchangeably in many different countries in Europe.

Pfuffli: This variant appears mostly in areas of Switzerland.

No matter the spelling, the Pfäffli surname is believed to have come from the Middle High German word ‘pfafl’ which means ‘a parable, a fable or a story’. This would suggest that the origins of the surname are more likely to stem from a storyteller.

Famous people with the name Pfäffli

• Thomas Pfäffli: Swiss footballer
• Pirmin Pfäffli: Swiss pianist
• Andres Pfäffli: Swiss director
• Ursula Pfäffli: Swiss actress
• Dirk Pfäffli: Swiss cross-country skier
• Konrad Pfäffli: Swiss orienteering athlete
• Ralph Pfäffli: Swiss bobsledder
• Werner Pfäffli: Swiss entrepreneur
• Werner Pfäffli: Swiss chemist
• Robert Pfäffli: Swiss economist
• Fabian Pfäffli: Swiss photographer
• Christian Pfäffli: Swiss tennis player
• Peter Pfäffli: Swiss writer
• Josef Pfäffli: Swiss circuit court judge
• Max Pfäffli: Swiss flutist
• Walter Pfäffli: Swiss Olympic sprinter

Other surnames

PfafflPfäfflPfäffleinPfäfflin