Surname Viefhaus - Meaning and Origin
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Viefhaus: What does the surname Viefhaus mean?
The last name Viefhaus is a German occupational surname, derived from the Middle High German word "vivehüs". This word has two possible meanings: it could mean “attendant” or “forester". It is possible that the surname Viefhaus emerged from the occupation of its original bearer either as an attendant to an important individual or as a forester for a royal court or a noble landowner.
It is possible that the name could also be derived from the Old High German word “vîbacer”, meaning “hunter”, and would similarly suggest a person of an outdoorsman or hunting profession. Another possible origin could be the Old High German word “viwêlere”, meaning one who lived in a small town or village, indicating that its original bearer may have come from such an area.
Today, this surname is common in regions of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The name is also present in other countries throughout Europe, including the Netherlands, where spelling variations may have arisen due to language barriers. Spelling variations of Viefhaus include Viefhause, Viefhausen, Viefhauser, Viefhausner, Vievhaus, Vievhauser and Vieffhous.
Order DNA origin analysisViefhaus: Where does the name Viefhaus come from?
The last name Viefhaus is of German origin and is primarily found in southwestern Germany. The Birkenfeld region and the Rhineland-Palatinate are regions of the country where the surname is most commonly found today.
The last name Viefhaus is a topographic name, which is a type of surname that was originally given to someone who lived on or near a geographical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. In this case, the “Viefhaus” part of the surname likely comes from the words “vieh” meaning “animals” and “haus” meaning “house.” Therefore, it is likely that the ancestors of those who carry the Viefhaus name were most likely once traders of livestock or farmers who herded animals around the area.
The Viefhaus name is also a habitational surname, which means that it is derived from the name of a place. In this case, it is believed that the name may also originate from several villages located in Germany with similar-sounding names, such as Veefhusen and Viefhausen.
The Viefhaus name is most common in Germany today, with approximately 1,270 people in Germany bearing the name. There are also a few people carrying the surname living in other parts of Europe and in the United States. However, the majority of the population of those with the Viefhaus name are found in Germany.
Variations of the surname Viefhaus
Viefhaus is a German surname which has many variants and spellings that all share the same origin. Variant spellings of Viefhaus include Weehaus, Viefhous, Viefhause, Veehaus, Veefhaus and Veefhouse.
Surnames with similar meanings or origins to Viefhaus include Vief, Veef, Vif, Veif, Veiff, Veith and Vieth. These surnames all stem from the German word ‘vief’ which means brave or bold. Variants of ‘vief’ such as ‘Viefe’, ‘Viefh’ and ‘Viefhausen’ were commonly adopted as surnames in Germany.
Viefhaus is also found as a toponymic surname, which relates to someone from a place or location. Variations of ‘Viefhaus’ as a toponymic name may include Viefhausen, Viefhaus, Viefhause, Veehausen, Veehaus, Veefhausen and Veefhaus.
The Viefhaus surname can also be found in other Western European countries such as Denmark, where it is found as Weifhausen, and Sweden, where it is found as Veehus.
In the United States and the United Kingdom, many immigrants from Germany have kept the original spelling of their surnames. As such, the surname Viefhaus can also be found in these countries, as well as many other spellings of the same name.
Famous people with the name Viefhaus
- Beate Viefhaus: She is a German director and screenwriter who wrote and directed the 2014 documentary film, “Sonderling.”
- Johannes Viefhaus: He is an important figure in the German jazz scene, an exceptionally versatile musician and an internationally acclaimed sound engineer.
- Peter Viefhaus: He is a former competitive swimmer from West Germany who represented his native country in the 1976 and 1976 Summer Olympics.
- Alexander Viefhaus: He was a German-born American politician and diplomat who served as the first US Ambassador to Jordan from 1865-1870.
- Don Viefhaus: He is an American actor and screenwriter best known for his comic roles in films such as National Lampoon’s Animal House and Warning Sign.
- June Viefhaus: She was an American actress in television and film, best known for her roles in Doogie Howser, M.D., Murder, She Wrote, and The Roseanne Show.
- Joseph Viefhaus: He is a German politician and member of the Free Democratic Party, having served as a representative for the state of Hesse since 2014.
- Elizabeth Viefhaus: She is an American journalist and writer who is affiliated with The Washington Post and other major publications.
- Henrik Viefhaus: He is a German painter known for his large-scale landscapes and dramatic historical scenes.
- Markus Viefhaus: He is a German craftsman and sculptor who has won a number of awards for his intricate wood carvings and metalworking.
- Wilfred Viefhaus: He was a German jurist and politician who served in the German Parliament from 1929-1932.
- Karl-Otto Viefhaus: He is a former German football player who most recently served as manager for several clubs in the German Bundesliga.