Surname Scherffius - Meaning and Origin

Scherffius: What does the surname Scherffius mean?

The last name Scherffius is of German origin and thus derived from the Old German name "Scherfa". It is a variant of the more common Sauerwein, which is derived from the Germanic elements "saure" meaning "sour" and "wein" meaning "wine". Thus, the name Scherffius can be translated as "sour wine".

The name can also indicate that the original bearer of the name was the owner of a vineyard or winery. The germanic "scerf" or "skerf" which was a sign of allegiance or loyalty, could also be the basis for the surname.

The name is still present in Germany and is also found in parts of modern day Poland, Slovakia, and Czech Republic. The earliest record of the name can be traced to a Johannes Sherfius in Thuringia, Germany, in 1670.

In North America, the earliest recorded instance of the name is in Ontario, Canada, with Wilhelm Scherffius who immigrated in 1833. In the United States, the name was brought by German immigrants in the 19th century. Today, the name is found mostly in Canada and Nebraska.

Today, the name remains a rare yet meaningful surname. It is a reminder of the bearer's German ancestry and culture and serves as a reminder of their ancestral roots.

Scherffius: Where does the name Scherffius come from?

The surname Scherffius is common in many countries today. It has a long history dating back to medieval Germany, where it was a well-respected and common name. Today, it is most commonly found in the United States, especially in the Midwestern states, although it is scattered throughout the country. It is known to be a popular German name in the US.

It has also been identified as a British name, with records of its existence in England since the 13th Century. Today, it is usually spelled 'Scherfius', concentrating its presence in the West Midlands area.

Other countries where it is found in numbers include New Zealand, Australia, Germany, and various parts of Europe, including the Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, and Norway.

Scherffius is known to be a common surname in the migrant population of many countries, having been brought to countries like Canada, the US, and New Zealand by the German, British, and Dutch settlers who migrated there centuries ago.

It is likely that this name is widely dispersed today due to centuries of migration and family history, and from its place of origin in Central Europe, it has spread to every corner of the world.

Variations of the surname Scherffius

Variations of Scherffius include Scherfius, Scherff, Scherf, von Scherff, and Scherffo. All of these surnames are German in origin, with “Scherff” being the oldest form, and eventually morphing into the more modern spelling, “Scherffius”. It is believed that the surname has its roots in “scherf”, the Middle Low German word for “sword”, based on the fact that many of the earliest individuals with the name were blacksmiths.

The von Scherff variant is most commonly found in areas around Hannover, Germany, and was likely adopted by families who either held an important status in their home community or had attained nobility due to their wealth. Those with the surname Scherff have often been found near northeastern Germany, particularly in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, while those with the name Scherf typically originated from the southern areas of Germany.

Outside of Germany, the name Scherffius is still found in various parts of Europe, including the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and the Czech Republic. It took on a slightly modified spelling while in these regions, often changing to “Scherf” or “vander Scherff”. Additionally, the surname can also be found in North and South America, usually as a result of German immigrants who left their homeland.

Famous people with the name Scherffius

• Willi Scherffius: German actor.
• Martin Scherffius: German physician and chemist from the 18th century; author of works on the topics of chemistry, pharmacy and natural science.
• Georg Friedrich Scherffius: German astronomer from the 18th century; observed and catalogued over 300 double stars, wrote and published "Starology", considered the first astrological work of significant size since antiquity.
• Andreas Scherffius: German baroque painter from the 17th century; noted for works such as the landscape paintings of the Upper Palatinate.
• Dietrich Sturmfeder Scherffius: German botanist in the 16th and early 17th centuries; made important contributions to botanical taxonomy, composed over 20 works on different plant species.
• August Scherffius: German mathematician in the early 19th century; known for developing the “Scherffius Vector Calculus”.
• Johann Christoph Scherffius: German theologian in the 18th century; wrote works covering topics such as the Omega Point theory and transcendental theosophy.
• Jacob Wilhelm Scherffius: German novelist in the 19th century; best known for his book “Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae”.
• Johann Friedrich Scherffius: German organist, composer and theorist from the 19th century; wrote several works on the usage of organ and musical theory.
• Wilhelm Friedrich Scherffius: German military leader in the 17th century; commanded an infantry regiment in the Prussian-Swedish War of 1700.

Other surnames

ScherffScherffenberg