Surname Shofe - Meaning and Origin

Shofe: What does the surname Shofe mean?

The last name Shofe is derived from the Hebrew word Shophar, which translates to a trumpet blast used historically by Jewish Priests in temples to signal the beginning and end of days and special occasions. Historically, Shofe was an epithet used as a title of nobility among ancient Jewish families, generally reserved for those of the High Priestly lineage. Today, Shofe continues to be a popular Hebrew-origin surname, found among many Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews around the world.

The etymology of the last name Shofe is derived from the Hebrew word “Shophar”, meaning “trumpet” or “ram’s horn”, and it is thought to have derived from the Hebrew root word “Sofer” which translates to “scribe” or “scribe of the Torah”. This prominent role within the Jewish community was held by the ancient Levites. In modern times, the word has become strongly associated with those of noble priestly lineage.

Typically, those that share the last name of Shofe can trace their lineage back to an influential Jewish family and a distinguished ancestor. Prior to the Jewish migrations of the 15th and 16th centuries, those of the Shofe family were associated with local aristocrats as well as prominent Rabbis in medieval Europe.

In contemporary Judaism, the name Shofe has been embraced and esteemed by scholars, rabbis, and modern-day activists. The surname continues to be a proud sign of Jewish heritage and aristocratic origin. Those of the Shofe family can be recognized by a formidable legacy, deep faith, and a sincere reverence of their ancestry.

Shofe: Where does the name Shofe come from?

The last name Shofe is predominantly found in Israel, making it a common surname amongst the Jewish population in the country. It is derived from the Hebrew word "Shiffon," which refers to a mane, specifically the long hair that is described in the Bible as being worn by Samuel the prophet.

Most families who carry the Shofe surname today can trace their ancestry to the small towns surrounding Tel Aviv, such as Lod, Ramle, and Petah Tikva. While the origin of the name is unknown, it has been suggested that the surname first appeared among the Sephardic Jewish settlers of the Levant region in the 19th century.

It is also possible that the name was adopted by people who had a trade in which they crafted shawls and other fabrics of exceptional quality, for which "shiffon" was a common type of material.

In any case, the last name Shofe is historically linked to the Jewish community in Israel, where today it remains quite common.

Variations of the surname Shofe

The surname Shofe is of Jewish origin and is most likely a variation of the Ashkenazi name Shuft. Due to the pronunciation and similarities in writing the surname may also be written as Shoff, Shufte, Shufteh or Shufet.

In the Yiddish language, Shofe is an occupational name meaning 'circuit-rider.' A circuit-rider was an itinerant preacher or rabbi whose job was to travel from synagogue to synagogue.

In Lithuania, an even more common spelling of the surname is Šoftas. The name is also often transliterated in various other European languages, such as German (Schofitz), Hungarian (Shofitz), and Polish (Szoficz).

In Russia, the spelling is Shofe. The name is also spelled differently in countries like Romania and Moldova, where it is often written as Șoifă or Soifă. In some parts of the former Soviet Union, such as Ukraine and Belarus, the spelling can be found as Sovet.

There are numerous other variations in spelling, depending on the language and dialect it is written in. Some common forms include Shofar, Schofe, Soffer, Soffer, Choffe and Šofar.

Famous people with the name Shofe

• Arie Shofe: American film producer and director
• Shintaro Shofe: Japanese film director
• Aaron Shofe: English-born film composer
• Mariana Schofe: Peruvian film journalist and television producer
• Luke Shofe: British songwriter, singer, and producer
• Tim Shofe: Canadian actor and comedian
• Jane Schofe: American fashion designer
• Avi Shofe: Israeli music video director
• Juan Shofe: Mexican screenwriter and director
• Eliana Schofe: Brazilian animator and visual effects artist

Other surnames

ShoffShofich