Surname Greiffer - Meaning and Origin
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Greiffer: What does the surname Greiffer mean?
The last name Greiffer is of German origin and is thought to have originated in the area of Bavaria. It is thought to have originated from the Middle High German word "griffer" which means "claw" or "claw-like". This likely refers to physical characteristics such as gripping hands which could indicate a heritage in manual labor.
The surname could also have been derived from occupational names such as a tailor or craftsman. It is also possible the name was derived from someone who scavenged for usable items, such as metal or wood, which would fit with the claw-like origin.
The last name Greiffer is not common though it is dispersed throughout Germany. It is primarily found in Bavarian regions such as Franken, Kreis Neuberg, and Bayern and can also be found in other European countries like Austria, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia.
When the surname is found in the United States, it is often with an Americanized spelling such as Griefer, Greifer, or Greifers. People with this surname can have variations of its spelling which affects the pronunciation, although all forms of the name share the same roots and meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisGreiffer: Where does the name Greiffer come from?
The last name Greiffer is most commonly found in countries in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. In the United States, Greiffer is an uncommon but growing surname, with the largest numbers of people with the surname living in California, Texas, and New York.
As of 2020, the surname Greiffer was recorded as the 2,412th most common surname in the United States, held by just over 1,000 people. Considering the population of the United States is over 300 million, it is quite rare.
In the United Kingdom, the last name Greiffer is even rarer. The surname Greiffer was the 14,139th most common surname in the England and Wales in 2016, held by fewer than 100 people.
In other parts of the world, the Greiffer surname is also scarce and largely limited to Central and Eastern Europe. For example, in the Netherlands, Greiffer was the 4,967th most common name, held by only 36 people in 2020.
Overall, the surname Greiffer is relatively uncommon, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom. However, it is gradually increasing in both countries, indicating a growing presence of people with the surname in these two nations.
Variations of the surname Greiffer
The surname Greiffer is of German origin, belonging to the region of Saxony. This surname has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, including Griefer, Greifer, Graeffer, Graever, Graeff, Graefe, Greife, Grefe, Greifer, Graef and Graefe.
The Greiffer surname is derived from the very old German word "gref" or "graef" meaning "count", as it is believed that the first members of the family were Counts in the Kingdom of Saxony. This family of Counts was later divided into several lines, some of which adopted the name Greiffer.
In addition, the Greiffer surname is also said to be related to the Old High German term "grifîn", meaning "crier" or "style", as bearers of the surname could have worked in court as public speakers or announcers, or in the army as a herald or bugler.
The spelling of the Greiffer surname was greatly altered over time, as the German language was largely illiterate until the 18th century. During this time, the name became Greifer, Graefe, Grefe, Graeffer, Gra ever, Graeff, Graef and Greif. Over time, the Greiffer surname spread to other parts of Europe, including England and Ireland, where it was adopted by people of German ancestry.
Today, the Greiffer surname is still quite common in Germany, as well as other countries across Europe. There are many famous figures who are bearers of the Greiffer surname, such as the German poet Klaus Greiffer and the English composer George Greiffer.
Famous people with the name Greiffer
- Peter Greiffer: German actor, voice actor, and author.
- Robert Greiffer: Central European economist and former President of the German Council of Economic Experts.
- Fabian Greiffer: German actor and singer.
- Eva Greiffer: German stage and television actress.
- Fritz Greiffer: Austrian painter and artist.
- Anna Greiffer: Swiss feature film and documentary director.
- Monika Greiffer: German actress.
- Teresa Greiffer-Storch: Austrian art historian and museum director.
- Wilhelm Greiffer: German lawyer and former legal advisor to the German government.
- Simone Greiffer: German-Italian journalist and author.