Surname Scherff - Meaning and Origin
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Scherff: What does the surname Scherff mean?
The last name Scherff is a German surname that is derived from the Middle High German word “scherf”, meaning “circled” or “ringed”. This name was originally connected to a centuries-old practice of ornamental metalworking, particularly the craft of making items with interlocking rings.
The name is also associated with a long-running line of craftspeople that can be traced back to the 17th century. Over the years, the Scherff family has created unique metal works, including intricate jewelry, decorative ornaments, and metal sculptures.
The earliest recorded occurrence of the Scherff name is found in the records of the Evangelical church in Northeim, Germany, in 1783. This family can be traced back to the occupation of metalsmith in several places in Germany.
Today, the last name Scherff stands for quality craftsmanship in metalworks and the family’s commitment to creating works of art with an individual touch. These meaningful items continue to be highly valued and often become treasured heirlooms that are proudly passed down throughout generations.
Order DNA origin analysisScherff: Where does the name Scherff come from?
The last name Scherff is most commonly found today in Germany. According to the German census of 2018, there were approximately 8,246 individuals with the last name. It is reported to be an occupational surname derived from the German word Schürze, meaning “apron”, suggesting that it initially referred to individuals who may have worked as tailors or leatherworkers.
Today, the last name Scherff is also commonly found in the United States, where it is estimated that there are over 3,500 individuals with the name. Immigration records suggest that the first few German families bearing the name arrived in the US in the early to mid 19th century, and approximately 85% of those with the name are of German descent.
Scherff is also found in regions of Central America, where there are many recorded examples of German immigrants across nations such as Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. In Honduras, the name can be found in abundance across the region; however, the exact origins remain relatively unknown.
The last name Scherff is also reported to be relatively common in countries across the South Pacific, most notably New Zealand and Australia, where it can be found among both immigrants and native citizens.
Variations of the surname Scherff
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Scherff are as follows:
1. Scherf - This variant of the surname is usually found in Germany. The family probably originated in the region of Saxony in Germany in medieval times.
2. Scherff- This variant is also usually found in Germany and also originated in the region of Saxony.
3. Scherffius- This variant is also found in Germany. It is a Latin version of the surname Scherff, and it was used to distinguish members of this family from other Scherff families in the area.
4. Sherf/Sherff- This variant is found in both England and Germany. It originated from the Germanic root "scheref" which was the name given to a person who worked as a tax collector.
5. Scherrie- This variant is found in Scotland. It is derived from the Germanic root "scher" which means "one who carves".
6. Schurf- This variant is found in the Netherlands. The family originally came from the area near Rotterdam.
7. Schuerff- This variant is also found in Germany and is derived from the Germanic root "scheref" which means "one who cuts."
8. Scharff- This variant is found in Germany and the Jewish family probably originated in the area of Magdeburg.
These variants, spellings and surnames of Scherff all have the same origin and were used in various regions to identify individuals belonging to this family. They all carry the common Germanic root "scheref" which means "one who cuts." The variants were likely used as nicknames to help distinguish members of the same family.
Famous people with the name Scherff
- Brandon Scherff: Professional Football player for the Washington Football Team in the NFL.
- Ashley Scherff: Professional MMA fighter.
- Hugo Scherff: German composer and music producer.
- Robert Scherff: American diver and rower.
- Christiaan Huygens: Dutch astronomer and mathematician.
- Franz Sacher: Austrian pastry chef who created the famous Sachertorte dessert.
- Albert Scherff: German physicist and engineer who aided the development of the atomic bomb.
- Ernst Scherff: German businessman who founded the electrical components company Siemens.
- Willem Scherff: Dutch-born German sculptor.
- Aurelia Scherff: German opera and concert singer.
- Gerhard Scherff: German biochemist and professor.
- Stanislaus Scherff: German microbiologist who made significant contributions to biochemistry.
- Herman Scherff: German optical engineer who worked in the field of stereomicroscopy.
- Andreas Scherff: German violinist who wrote numerous influential textbooks on music theory.
- Bernd Scherff: German cyclist and mountain biker.
- Max Scherff: German doctor and professor of medical psychology.
- Anne-Marie Scherff: French-born sculptor.
- Günther Scherff: German physicist who developed the use of sonar for detecting submarines.
- Stephen Scherff: German-born American astronomer and astrophysicist.
- Luisa Scherff: Mexican singer-songwriter.