Surname Staff - Meaning and Origin
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Staff: What does the surname Staff mean?
The last name Staff is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English word 'stæf', which means stick, rod, or pole. It was originally given as an occupational surname to someone who worked with a staff, such as a herdsman who used a staff to manage his animals. The term 'staff' was also used to denote a measure of land, typically about five to seven yards, and so it could also refer to a person who lived on or owned such a portion of land. Over time, as surnames became hereditary, people carried their ancestors' names as their own, leading to the widespread use of Staff as a last name. Like many surnames, geographical dispersal and different regional languages may have led to variations in its spelling and pronunciation. Despite these changes, the essence of the surname Staff remains rooted in its occupational origins.
Order DNA origin analysisStaff: Where does the name Staff come from?
The last name Staff is most commonly found in English-speaking states, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom. In the United States, Staff can be found in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina. In the United Kingdom, Staff can be found in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire.
The last name Staff is not overly common. According to the US Census, there were less than 300 people with this last name across the United States as of the last count in 2010. In the United Kingdom, the ancestry index suggests there are just over 2000 people with the last name Staff, making it the 2183rd most common last name in the UK as of 2017.
The origin of the name Staff is largely unknown. It appears to have appeared as a last name around the late 14th century. Some believe the name is derived from Old English, where ‘staff’ is a serious of hardwood or iron pole used as a weapon or staff. Others believe the name connects to a man who worked as a member of staff for a nobility, such as a lower ranking officer in the king’s court or a keeper of some kind of estate or property.
The last name Staff remains a less common surname today. Its occurrence in most countries is limited and is likely to stay that way for many years to come.
Variations of the surname Staff
The surname Staff can have several different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Common variations in spelling of the surname Staff include Staf, Staaf, Stafe, Staffe, Stafy, and Stafey. Variations in spelling can often occur due to different languages and dialects. For example, German versions of the Staff surname may have the spelling variations of Stauf, Stauff, Stauffer, and Stauffen.
The Staff surname can also have a few different surnames that have a similar origin. One of the most common variations is Staffe, which is an English and Dutch variant of the surname. Other variations of the surname Staff include Stafey, Stafie, Stafo, and Staofi. The Scottish version of the surname is usually spelled Staph, while the Irish version is often spelled Stap.
The Misto-Slavic versions of the name include the surnames Stafeevic, Stafeevich, Stafeevich, Stafeevitch, and Stafeević. In Norway, the Staff surname is usually written as Staffæter or Stafstøyl. The Welsh version of Staff is Stafs or Staves, while in France the spelling is usually Stavez.
In addition, there are several other surnames that have a similar origin to Staff. These include Staffer, Staffur, Stather, and Stothard.
Overall, there are quite a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Staff. Variations in spelling of the surname can occur from different languages, cultures, and even different eras. Knowing the origin and meaning of the surname can help determine the various possible variants and spellings.
Famous people with the name Staff
- John Staff, British Professor of Optoelectronics
- Walther Staff, German Physicist and Nobel Prize Winner
- Jessica Staff, American Actress and Singersongwriter
- Christina Staff, American Talk Show Host
- Katherine Staff, British Political Commentator
- Ivana Staff, Australian Author
- Steve Staff, American Businessman and Entrepreneur
- Maurice Staff, British Astronomer
- Michael Staff, Canadian DJ and Television Host
- King Staff, American Professional Wrestler