Surname Neffe - Meaning and Origin
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Neffe: What does the surname Neffe mean?
The last name Neffe is of German origin. It is an occupational surname, derived from the German word “Nef” meaning “neatness” or “order.” The ancestor of this surname likely held a job or profession related to tidiness or order, such as a groom, a cleaner, or a steward.
The earliest recorded use of the name Neffe dates back to the 14th century, when it was used as a middle name in Germany. It was not until the 19th century that it began to be used as a surname. The earliest known mention of the surname is in the city of Essen in 1836.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the name spread throughout Germany and other German-speaking areas, such as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Austria. Today, the name is found all over the world, but it is most common in Germany, where it is the 214th most popular surname.
The Neffe surname is still associated with neatness and order today, but its modern meaning is not limited to just that. It can also represent loyalty, dependability, and cleanliness. These are all values that can be used to describe families who carry the last name Neffe today.
Order DNA origin analysisNeffe: Where does the name Neffe come from?
The last name Neffe is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a relatively rare name, and it appears to have originated in the area of Bavaria. The name is typically thought to have descended from the Middle High German word "nef," meaning "treasure," and it is believed to have been used as a nickname for a wealthy individual. According to surname databases, the first record of Neffe can be traced back to 1410, when a Jakob Neffe appeared in a city report of Augsburg.
It is unclear if the name has any connections to other countries, but it does not seem to have spread beyond the German borders like many German surnames of the same era. However, there are approximately 1,000 Neffe's living in Germany today, many of whom are descendants of the same family. Most Neffe's are found in the southern region of Germany around Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, with smaller percentages scattered throughout the rest of the country.
Outside of Germany, the surname Neffe is less common, but still relatively widespread. People with this surname can be found in countries such as France, Austria, Denmark, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. However, most Neffe's of foreign countries could be the result of German emigrants or descendants of the same family who spread to other parts of Europe and the world.
Variations of the surname Neffe
The surname Neffe is of German origin and is an occupational name derived from the Latin term "nepos", meaning nephew, referring to descendants of a brother or sister. It is believed to have derived from the original spelling of “Nef,” meaning “one’s grandchild.”
The variants, spellings, and surnames with similar origins to Neffe are:
Nef, Naff, Naffa, Naffe, Naef, Naefel, Naefelin, Naefenbrugg, Naeferess, Nagge, Naiff, Naiffen, Naeff, Naeffan, Naeffli, Naff, Naffa, Naffes, Naffin, Naffzinger, Nafz, Nafzger, Näf, Nafe, Nafen, Naff, Nefde, Nefele, Nefelin, Nefenbrugg, Neff, Neffe, Neffen, Neffes, Neffi, Neffin, Neffinger, Neffizen, Nefft, Neft, Nemphe, Nep, Nép, Nève, Neve, Neveff, Nevel, Nevely, Nevelyn.
In addition to these variants of the surname Neffe, individuals with this surname are also found in other German-speaking nations, such as in Austria and Switzerland. In Austria, variations of Neffe may be Naeff, Näve, Neuf, Neufer or Neufert. In Switzerland, the surname may have sprung from the German word “neffen,” which means "nephews." In Switzerland, some of the surnames associated with Neffe are Naffe, Neif, Neife, Neffen, Neffenwimberg, Neffenwinterberg or Neffli.
The Neffe surname is found in many countries around the world today including the United States, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Italy, Australia, and Canada.
Famous people with the name Neffe
- Keke Palmer: Actress, singer, and talk show host
- Lance Corporal Jarrell C. Neffe: Medal of Honor recipient
- Morganne Neffe: Professional dancer and choreographer
- Rollo Neffe: Notable educational psychologist
- Tammy Neffe: TV host and beauty expert
- Valeriya Neffe: Award winning Russian poet
- Porsche Abraham-Neffe: Plus-sized fashion designer
- Imke Neffe: German Paralympic Fencer
- Jennifer Neffe: Contemporary German artist
- Satine Leitch Neffe: American educator and author