Surname Staaf - Meaning and Origin
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Staaf: What does the surname Staaf mean?
The last name Staaf is of Dutch origin and is a surname derived from the Middle Dutch word "staef", which means staff or rod. Historically, this surname was used to describe someone who used a staff as a walking stick, or as an instrument of support or authority. It may also refer to someone who was employed in a position where a staff or rod was used such as a bailiff or military officer.
In the Middle Ages, the Staaf name was common among the population of the Low Countries, predominantly in what is now the Netherlands and Belgium. The name has spread elsewhere over the centuries, such as to Germany and Scandinavia, and in more recent times to the United States and Canada.
The spelling of the Staaf surname can vary: it may be Staf, Staaf or Staaf, among others. As a patronymic name, it is derived from a personal name; the suffix affixed to a father’s name, and so the spelling and the number of variations of this surname exemplify the tradition of using surname variants in order to distinguish between branches of a family.
The last name Staaf still exists in many parts of the world today, indicating it has managed to survive the test of time. In the twenty-first century, Staaf is still used to this day to refer to people of Dutch ancestry who originate from the Low Countries, specifically Belgium and the Netherlands.
Order DNA origin analysisStaaf: Where does the name Staaf come from?
The last name Staaf is most commonly found in the Netherlands. A 2018 census reported that there were 5,735 people in this country with the surname Staaf. However, this surname is far from limited to the Netherlands, with the majority of Staafs living in Europe. Several Scandinavian and other northern countries have residents with the name Staaf including Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Belgium. The surname has also spread to other countries such as the United States, India, and Australia. The largest group of Staafs outside the Netherlands is in the United States, with a reported 948 individuals bearing the Staaf name, followed by Australia with 707 individuals.
Analysis of available records suggests that the name Staaf is derived from "staf," referring to a long pole or staff carried by monks and other clergy members. This resemblance is also reflected in the coat of arms of some Staaf family members, which often includes a staff or pole.
As a surname, Staaf appears to have originated in northern Europe and likely derived from the Dutch, Scandinavian, or German language. Initially, the name likely referred to individuals acting as royal messengers or standard-bearers to European nobility. In many northern countries, families with the name Staaf can trace their history back to the fifteenth century, with records dating back as far as 1415.
Variations of the surname Staaf
The surnames Staaf, Staf, Staaffe, Staffe, Stoff, and Staff are all variants of the same surname. It is of Dutch, German, and Scandinavian origin. In Dutch, the name is derived from the Dutch word “staaf,” meaning “rod” or “beam.” It likely began as an occupational name for someone who manufactured or worked with metal rods or wooden beams. In the Netherlands, the Staf family is the oldest recorded instance of this surname.
In German, the surname is derived from the Old High German word “staf,” meaning “staff” or “strip.” This likely began as a topographical surname for someone who lived near a strip of land. In German, the earliest record of this surname is Staffe in the 13th century.
The Scandinavian spelling is “Stoff” which is derived from the Old Norse term “Stefna,” meaning “curb.”
In English, the surname Staaf is usually spelled “Staff.” This spelling likely began as a patronymic surname, referring to the son of someone named “Stafe.”
So, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Staaf are: Staaf, Staf, Staaffe, Staffe, Stoff, and Staff.
Famous people with the name Staaf
- Anders Staaf: Swedish former professional football player.
- Charlotte Staaf: Swedish professional javelin thrower.
- Einar Staaf: Swedish author, journalist, and politician.
- Gösta Staaf: Swedish professional boxer.
- Henrik Staaf: Swedish professional ice hockey player.
- Martin Staaf: Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender.
- Mikael Staaf: Swedish professional skier and sport competitor.
- Erik Staaf: Swedish professional beach volleyball player.
- Petter Staaf: Swedish professional golfer.
- Robert Staaf: Swedish author and technical writer.