Surname Zaphier - Meaning and Origin

Zaphier: What does the surname Zaphier mean?

The last name Zaphier is of German origin. It is derived from the German phrase "Zapfier," meaning "tapster" or "barrel maker." The name is likely to have been adopted by someone in the brewing trade or a barrel maker. It may also have originated as a nickname for someone who was known to tap or make barrels.

In German, the letter "z" is pronounced the same as the letter "ts", so Zaphier would have been pronounced “tsaf-ee-er”. The first recorded reference of the name Zaphier dates back to 14th century Bavaria when one Robertus Zapfarii recorded his name in Germany.

Today, the name Zaphier is associated with industriousness and resourcefulness, often being found related to professions which require attention to detail, such as scientists, engineers, and surveyors. In more recent times, the name Zaphier is also associated with inventors and entrepreneurs, as those holding the name possess a natural problem-solving capacity.

Zaphier originates from a long line of entrepreneurs, believers of progress, and resourceful wanderers that had the courage and determination to bring their dreams to life.

Zaphier: Where does the name Zaphier come from?

The last name Zaphier is most commonly seen today in the United States, Canada, Israel, and South Africa. It has its roots in ancient Yiddish and is derived from the Hebrew word Zephir, meaning “beauty and glory.”

It first appeared in records in the US in the early 1800s with records indicating immigrants bearing the name settling in New York and Maryland at the time. Since then, immigrants from various countries in Europe bearing the name migrated to the US and Canada until the mid-1900s.

Currently, Zaphiers reside in all states throughout the US and in all Canadian provinces. In the US, it is most common in the states of California, New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. In Canada, it is most common in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.

Additionally, the name has gained more prominence in the past couple of decades in Israel, particularly in the cities of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ashdod, and Ashkelon.

South Africa is also a home for many Zaphiers, with records indicating families with similar spelling variations, such as Zafier, Zafir, and Zefier, have resided in the country since the early 1800s.

Overall, the last name Zaphier is still quite common today despite its ancient origins, with families bearing the name living in different parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Zaphier

The surname Zaphier has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Common variations found in records include Zafar, Safir, and Safar.

A more modern version of the same name is Zafer. This version can be found in Turkish records, as well as in many other parts of the world. The German spelling of this surname is “Zafferer” and the Italian version is “Zaffero”.

In Arabic, the spelling of this surname is “Zafir” and in Yiddish it is “Tzofar”. In North America, many families of this name changed their surname to “Tzaphar” in an effort to assimilate better.

In Spanish, the surname is commonly spelled “Safir” and the Czech version is “Žafiř”. This last variant is often found in Czech records.

The genetic family of the Zaphier surname has a number of other surnames associated with it. These include Zephir, Zhefer, Zefer, Zefar, Xaphir, Xavier, and Zaffar.

The various spellings of this surname all come from the same origin, which is believed to be ancient Hebrew. This could mean that the surname is related to the Old Testament figure of Zephir.

In conclusion, the surname Zaphier has a number of variations, spellings, and related surnames. These can be found in various languages and countries from around the world. Therefore, it is important for genealogists to be aware of all the possibilities when researching a family history.

Famous people with the name Zaphier

• Marvin Zaphier — An American professional poker player who has won multiple World Series of Poker bracelets.
• Sam Zaphier — A Lakota stay-at-home dad, actor, and musician who is an ambassador for the American Indian College Fund and a mentor for Native American youth.
• Adam Zaphier — An award-winning filmmaker and educator who has been featured in various documentaries and films.
• Dallas Zaphier — An Indigenous rights activist and human rights lawyer who is a partner at the law firm of Audrey Bojorquez & Associates in Phoenix, Arizona.
• Ashlyn Zaphier — An Indigenous music artist based in Alberta, Canada, who creates songs ranging from acoustic folk-pop to progressive rock.
• Seth Zaphier — An Attorney and Manager at Health Net Federal Services, LLC, Seth is a tireless advocate for the mental health and well-being of veterans.
• Travon Zaphier — A former professional football player in the American Football League who went on to practice law and be a renowned tribal leader.
• Adriel Zaphier — A lawyer and artist from the Tsimshian Nation in Canada who is the Co-Chair of the National Indigenous Financial Institutions Network.
• Quincy Zaphier — A former professional ice hockey player who played for the Calgary Flames in the National Hockey League.
• Kerrick Zaphier — A U.S. Navy veteran and tribal leader from Standing Rock Sioux Tribe who is committed to affordable housing efforts in the Lakota nation.

Other surnames

Zaphir