Surname Lufer - Meaning and Origin
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Lufer: What does the surname Lufer mean?
The last name Lufer is an occupational surname of German origin and is derived from the Old High German word luft, meaning “space”, “air” or “opening”. This indicates that the original bearer of the name was a profession such as a windowmaker, roofer, chimney sweep, or a maker of textiles such as linen, sailcloth, or sails. The name was likely adopted as a surname by someone in this profession or their descendants.
In some cases, the surname may also suggest Jewish heritage due to the Yiddish form of the word, luft, meaning "luck". This may indicate that the bearer was a Jewish refugee at one time, or that the Jewish form of the name was simply adopted as a surname.
The descendants of the original bearers of the surname can be found throughout Europe, although there are some concentrated settlements in Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. The name is also quite popular in the United States, primarily in Pennsylvania, where many of the border lands were former German provinces.
Today, the surname Lufer is still primarily used as an occupational surname, used as a sign of pride in the families' original profession. Many people who still bear the name still have a connection to the trades associated with the name, while others may not have any idea of the origin of their family name.
Order DNA origin analysisLufer: Where does the name Lufer come from?
Lufer is likely of German ancestry, meaning its distribution today is mainly around areas of German heritage and from former German settlements. Currently, most people by this name are found in Germany and Austria. It is more difficult to determine its presence in other European countries due to the lack of research.
In the United States, the last name Lufer is most commonly found in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Montana. This geographic presence is likely related to the large population of German and German-Americans residing in the upper Midwest. These states also have some of the densest concentrations of German ancestry in the country.
In South America, the surname Lufer is thought to have migrated to Brazil at the turn of the 19th century, mainly to the regions of Minas Gerais and São Paulo. The surname is also commonly found in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Mexico, and Chile.
Overall, Lufer is a fairly common surname that is mainly located in Germany, Austria, the United States, and some areas of South America.
Variations of the surname Lufer
The surname Lufer can trace its origins back to many different spelling variations, including Lefer, Löfer and Löffler. Other spellings of the surname include Lofer, Loffler, Luffler and Lufler. Variations of the surname Lufer can also include Lepper, Lapper, Lewer, Laefer, Lamberer, Loefller, and Lehfler.
The surname Lufer is derived from the German words meaning "to run". It is believed to have originally been a nickname for a swift runner or a hunter. The earliest recorded mention of the name Lufer dates back to the 13th century, when a Loffler was mentioned in Germany in the year 1255.
The surname Lufer is also found in Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden. It is believed that the surname Lufer first arose in the area that is now part of the Czech Republic. The name Lufer is also found in the US, with some of the early settlers were given the name by a ship captain or immigration officer. The number of Lufer families in the US grew quickly after the 1830s, with many of them originating from the German settlement of Pennsylvania.
The modern-day variants of the surname Lufer are often found in different spellings that reflect its origin in different countries. In Germany and Austria, variants of the surname Lufer include Lehner and Loehrer, while in Switzerland the spelling Lehrer is found. In Denmark, the surname can be found as Lykfer, and in Sweden as Lyfvier.
Today, the surname Lufer remains quite common in many countries around the world and can be found in many different spelling variations.
Famous people with the name Lufer
- Michael Lufer: Michael Lufer is an American film editor who has worked on films such as Varsity Blues (1999), The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), The Avengers (2012), and Black Panther (2018).
- Tracey Luu: Tracey Luu is a Vietnamese-American actress, director, and producer. She is best known for her lead role in the movie In the House of Yes (1997) and her recurring role in Lifetime’s UnREAL (2015).
- Ludmila Luferova: Russian figure skater Ludmila Luferova is a two-time World champion (1984 and 1986). She has won a silver medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics and three European Championships medals.
- Mileva Lufer: Serbian artist Mileva Lufer is best known for her abstract paintings and her engaging public art projects. Her artwork has been featured in solo and group exhibitions around the world.
- Andy Lufer: Andy Lufer is an American professional wrestler who is known for his appearances in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South, and Combat Zone Wrestling.
- Jelena Lefer: Jelena Lefer is a Serbian model and actress who is best known for her leading role in the 2004 drama film Skyhook.
- William Lufsky: William Lufsky is a German ice hockey goaltender and current member of the Augsburger Panther. He is a two-time Deutsche Eishockey Liga Champion.
- Yanina Lufer: former figure skater Yanina Lufer is from Kazakhstan. She won the bronze medal at the World Figure Skating Championships and placed 4th at the 1994 Winter Olympics.