Surname Unkefer - Meaning and Origin
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Unkefer: What does the surname Unkefer mean?
The last name Unkefer is a German surname that originated from a location. The name itself derived from the Old German term “unck” for “corner” or “angle” and “fer” which means “dweller”, making Unkefer a locational surname derived from a place along a corner or angle. This is a fairly common name among speakers of German, and though its exact origin is unknown, a few possible sources have been suggested.
One hypothesis is that Unkefer has its origin in East Prussia, now part of Russia, Poland and Lithuania. This is supported by the fact that the surname has been sometimes written as “Unkfuer” which is a more common spelling of the name in that region. Another possible origin of the name is in eastern Germany, between the rivers Elbe and Saale, known as Thuringia.
In the United States, the Unkefer surname can be traced to Pennsylvania in the mid 1700s, where many German immigrants settled following the War of the Austrian Succession. Today, Unkefer is an uncommon surname across the country, with a few hundred people sharing the name.
The Unkefer surname is an interesting example of how the story of a family's roots can be traced back to a specific location and a shared name. It also serves to remind us of the many generations of immigrants who left their homelands to come to a new world and create new history for their descendants.
Order DNA origin analysisUnkefer: Where does the name Unkefer come from?
The surname Unkefer is of German origin and is usually found in Germany and other German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland. It is also found in other countries with significant German populations, such as the United States.
In the US, Unkefer is especially common in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan. Within each of these states, Unkefer is most likely to be found in those counties with large populations of German immigrants.
The Unkefer surname is derived from the German names Unkefehr and Ankefehr, both of which can refer to a wrought-iron worker. As a result, early German settlers with the surname Unkefer may have been tradesmen that specialized in working with iron.
The Unkefer name is also found in the United Kingdom, where most Unkefers who live there hail from Germany. Unkefers can also be found in countries such as Canada,Australia, and New Zealand, although in smaller numbers than in Germany or the United States.
Variations of the surname Unkefer
The surname Unkefer is originates from a Germanic personal name, and is derived from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “Uncus” or “unsightly”, and the word “fæder” meaning “father”. This makes it one of the oldest surnames in Europe, with records showing people with the surname as far back as the 13th century.
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Unkefer include Unkfer, Unkoffer, Unckfer, Unkoffer, Unkoofer, Unckoffer, Uncfer, Uneferer, Unfeerer, Unfreer, Unkeferer, Unkafarer, Unkeffer, Unkifer, Unoffr, and Unrefear.
Most of these variants can be traced back to the same source, although some variations could also be a result of mistakes in spelling due to illiteracy or dialects. For instance, the German word for father is “Vater”, so Unkoofer could be an attempt to spell Unkefer in a German dialect. Likewise, Uneferer could be an attempt to spell Unkefer with a cultural twist.
The most commonly used variant today is Unkfer, with Unkefer coming in second. This could be due to the fact that Unkfer is generally easier to spell and remember than Unkefer.
Though the surname is found widely in the United States and Britain, it is especially popular in the Netherlands, Germany, and Scandinavia.
In conclusion, the surname Unkefer is a very old surname, and has a variety of different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. While Unkfer may be the most common variant in modern use, it is likely that variations of this name can be found across different countries and cultures.
Famous people with the name Unkefer
- David Unkefer: Former Major League Baseball Player
- David Unkefer Jr.: Former President of TNT Productions
- Doris Unkefer: Retired Communications and Public Relations Professional
- Jeff Unkefer: Golf Professional and Instructor
- Joe Unkefer: Musician and Composer
- Joel Unkefer: Former Teacher and Middle School Football Coach
- John Unkefer: Entrepreneur and Radio Broadcaster
- Jonathan Unkefer: Charity Advocate
- Justine Unkefer: Arts Administrator and Choreographer
- Justin Unkefer: Medical Technologist
- Ryan Unkefer: Actor and Director
- Scott Unkefer: Noted philanthropist and real estate investor
- Shane Unkefer: Professional Car Racer
- Shawn Unkefer: Video Game Designer
- Sue Unkefer: Former Primary Care Physician
- Tony Unkefer: Former NFL Player
- Vince Unkefer: Award-winning Composer and Arranger
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Comments or additions to the name "Unkefer"
15.02.2024
Haley Ann Unkefer daughter of Donald & Christine Unkefer of Louisville Ohio is a Optometrist from Ohio State University