Surname Pfeifer - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling the Intriguing Journey of the Pfeifer Lineage: Insights from an iGENEA DNA Test

After undergoing an iGENEA DNA test, I discovered startling information about my genealogical lineage linked to the surname Pfeifer. The test unraveled a rich and remarkable heritage that radiates from Central Europe, unveiling a journey across landscapes and through millennia.

K. Pfeifer

Pfeifer: What does the surname Pfeifer mean?

The last name Pfeifer comes from a Germanic origin as a nickname and can mean several things such as "one who plays the pipe," "one who likes to entertain," or even a reference to the Germans who filled bagpipes with feathers as they played. It is believed to have derived from the ancient German word, Pfeiffer, which is composed of the two words pfeifen, meaning to play a pipe, and fer, meaning someone who carries something.

The spelling of the name has changed, particularly in 12th century Germany, as it was spelled with a "ph" instead of an "f." People bearing this name can also be traced back to Austria and Germany. Those with the name have been found to have been a part of the Austrian nobility, and in the 1700s, the Pfeifer family had a Baronial Order, or Roedel Order, which was a major order of the Austrian empire and was also one of the most distinguished awards given out.

Today, people bearing the surname Pfeifer can be found all over the world, with the surname itself enjoying relative popularity in countries like the United States. Whether they descend from a German family, or whether their ancestors moved from Germany hundreds of years ago, those bearing the Pfeifer surname can truly appreciate the significance and importance of its history and of its roots.

Pfeifer: Where does the name Pfeifer come from?

The surname Pfeifer is mainly found today in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Poland. It is estimated that around 38,000 people in Germany and over 10,000 people in Austria bear this surname.

The surname has been recorded in German-speaking countries since the 12th century and is derived from the Middle High German word "pveffer" meaning "speechifier". It is also found in various forms as a surname for families in the United States of America, such as Pfeiffer, Pfeifer, Pfeifferling and Pfeiffle.

The two most common areas of origin for those bearing the surname Pfeifer today are Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg in Germany. Pfeifer can also be found in Austria and Hungary, as well as a number of other countries worldwide, such as Switzerland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.

In America, the surname Pfeifer is most commonly found among those of German descent. Americans bearing the name Pfeifer or its variants are primarily situated in the mid-western US states of Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as along the east coast from New Jersey to Florida.

Overall, the Pfeifer surname is most commonly found in German-speaking nations, although its variants can be found in other parts of the world as well.

Variations of the surname Pfeifer

The surname Pfeifer is derived from the German word Pfifer, which is a variant of the word Pfaff, meaning “priest”. This surname has numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

Pfeifer (also Pfifer) are the most common spellings of the name. Other variations include Peifer, Pfeiffer (or Pfiffer and Pfieffer), Feifer, Pfeffer, Pfauff, Pfauf, Pfaff, Pfah, Pfefpfaff, and Pffaff.

Other variants of the name such as Fifer, Feyer, Feifers, Feifert, Pfifferle, Freifers, Pfefferle, Pfeiffel, Pfeifel, Pfefler, Pfiffel, Fiefer, Pfeifflen, Bleifer, and Pfiefer also exist. In addition, some of the rare spelling variations include Pifully, Pfurrer, Pveler, and Pfyffer.

Surnames of the same origin as Pfifer include Fiebel, Fuhrer, Pfander, Pfahl, Fiessler, Pfarger, Pfeilschifter, Pfister, Phaff, Failing, Pfeiler, Fafinger, Pfingst, and Pfandler.

Overall, the surnames Pfeifer and its many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin offer insight into the family’s rich history. These surnames can be traced back to German and Austrian ancestors and are associated with the priesthood.

Famous people with the name Pfeifer

• Raquel Pfeifer: Brazilian actress and model
• Meryl Pfeiffer: American actress and singer
• Don Pfeifer: American painter and sculptor
• Marcos Pfeifer: Brazilian musician
• Sheryl Pfeiffer: American author and magazine editor
• Rachel Pfeiffer: American classical violinist
• Jens Pfeifer: German-Austrian physician, professor and researcher
• W. Cleon Pfeifer: American Christian minister
• Anne Pfeifer: German actress
• Herman Pfeifer: German actor
• John Pfeifer: American mathematician
• Amanda Pfeifer: Canadian biathlete
• Nils Pfeifer: German artist
• Uwe Pfeifer: German footballer
• Michael Pfeifer: German hurdler
• Jim Pfeifer: American former Major League Baseball player
• Mara Pfeifer: Brazilian hurdler
• Scott Pfeifer: American former Major League Baseball player
• Barbara Pfeifer: Austrian journalist and politician
• Maximilian Pfeifer: German actor

Other surnames

PfeifenschneiderPfeifersPfeifferPfeifferer