Surname Scharffe - Meaning and Origin
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Scharffe: What does the surname Scharffe mean?
The last name Scharffe (or Schärffe) is generally believed to have originated amongst the German people of the medieval period. The name means “sharp” or “keen” in Old German, and is likely to have indicated a person who was a sharp or keen thinker.
The name is thought to have been first used in the Rhineland region of Germany around the year 1200, and was later spread further east by German settlers in the early modern period. The modern German language still uses the word “scharf” or “scharfe” to describe something that is sharp or keen in the figurative sense.
The name has become common in many other countries due to later German migration. Cases of the name Scharffe have been found in North America, particularly the former United States of America, since the 19th century. These immigrants tended to adopt the anglicised version of the name, commonly using the spelling “Sharff”.
Today, the name Scharffe is believed to be quite rare. Most people with the name can trace their origins back to Germany, though in some cases, such as North America, this may have become more diluted due to other subsequent migrants using the same name.
Order DNA origin analysisScharffe: Where does the name Scharffe come from?
The last name Scharffe is most prevalent in Germany today, but it can still be found in other parts of the world. It is a German surname, and those with the surname are believed to come from the Lower Saxony region of Germany, though the name goes back further than that.
In Germany, the Scharffes are most densely located in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria, followed by Baden-Württemberg and Lower Saxony. There are also small populations living scattered through other states of the country.
Worldwide, those with the last name Scharffe are especially found in countries like America, Australia, and Canada that have a close historical connection to Germany and its culture. The name is likely to be found in former German colonies, as well as in countries with large German-speaking populations.
In America, those with the last name Scharffe can be found in many different states, including California, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Many of these will likely trace their origins back to Germany, but some could also be descendants of German immigrants from other countries.
In Australia, the Scharffe family is mainly concentrated in the states of Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. The name is especially common in metropolitan areas like Sydney and Melbourne.
Finally, in Canada, those with the last name Scharffe are mainly concentrated in the province of Ontario, with a smaller presence in Alberta and British Columbia. It is likely that most of these will trace their roots back to German ancestry.
Overall, the surname Scharffe is most commonly found today in Germany, before spreading across the world.
Variations of the surname Scharffe
Scharffe is an uncommon surname in the English-speaking world and can be found in various contexts. Variants of the name include Scharff, Sharff, Scharffe, Sharf, Scharf, and Scharfen. It is possible that these allude to sharp (Scharf in German) meaning keen or astute.
In Germany and parts of Europe, Scharffe is a fairly common name. It can also be found among Jewish populations, particularly in the countries of Lithuania, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, and Hungary. In Germany, the spelling of the surname Scharf is also popular. In the United States, Scharff and Sharff are the most common spellings.
The Scharffe surname is derived from the Old Germanic word scharf, or sharp, referring to someone who was sharp-witted or astute. This is further reinforced by the German words schar/scharf, which mean sharp, pointed, or sharp-edged. As a result, the surname may have been initially used to distinguish notable people within a community.
In addition, Scharffe is sometimes used as an Americanized variant of the surname Shor/Shorer. The Shor/Shorer surname is derived from the Old Germanic elements schor, meaning rough, or schorren, meaning stony ground.
In conclusion, Scharffe is a surname with multiple spellings, variants, and origins. It may come from sharp, Shor/Shorer, or other Germanic root words. It is a fairly common surname in Germany and is found among Jewish populations in Central and Eastern Europe.
Famous people with the name Scharffe
- Maik Schärfe: Maik Schärfe is a German cyclist, specialising in mountain bike events. He has competed in the Olympic Games and won several world championship medals.
- Dirk Scharffe: Dirk Scharffe is a Dutch footballer who currently plays for Dutch Eredivisie club FC Twente. He has also played for several other Dutch clubs, and has represented the Netherlands in the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship.
- Kurt Scharffe: Kurt Scharffe is a German executive and businessman. He is the former CEO of Adidas Group, and has also held executive positions at Philips and Daimler Benz.
- Jan Scharffe: Jan Scharffe is a German actor and film director. He has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including the acclaimed action-comedy “Luther”.
- Sigrid Scharffe: Sigrid Scharffe is a German artist, best known for her multimedia paintings. She has exhibited her work in galleries throughout Europe and has also lectured at the University of Konstanz, Germany.
- Bernhard Scharffe: Bernhard Scharffe is a Swiss politician. He was the former president of the Swiss National Council and has served as a cabinet minister and ambassador.
- Dr. Werner Scharffe: Dr. Werner Scharffe is a German endocrinologist and researcher. He has written extensively on endocrine disorders, including diabetes and thyroid disease.
- Herwig Scharffe: Herwig Scharffe is a German soccer coach and former professional footballer. He is the current head coach of the VfL Hochneukirch football club, and has held coaching positions at many clubs across Germany.