Surname Scheefe - Meaning and Origin
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Scheefe: What does the surname Scheefe mean?
The last name Scheefe is of German origin and is believed to be derived from the German word Schiefe which means 'crooked' or 'oblique'. This surname originated as an occupational name for a person who was employed in a trade, such as a builder who specialized in constructing structures with a particular type of curved arch or vault, or a craftsman who specialized in making decorative items that had a curved shape.
Over time, the surname Scheefe was adopted by family members who were not directly involved in such trades, but whose ancestors had a reputation for being able to build or make such items. As such, the name became a hereditary surname.
Today, the surname can be found all over the world, but is most commonly seen in English-speaking countries with significant German populations such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
In general, people who bear the last name Scheefe today tend to be very proud of their unique heritage and may express their appreciation through the continued use of traditional German customs and celebrations.
Order DNA origin analysisScheefe: Where does the name Scheefe come from?
The last name Scheefe is primarily found in Germany and northern European countries. It is also found in the United States, particularly in areas with immigrants from Germany and northern Europe.
In Germany, the name is most popular in the states of Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt, while in the Netherlands, it is most popular in the provinces of Utrecht and Noord-Holland. It is also found in Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, and Austria.
In the United States, the name is found mainly in Amish and Mennonite communities, as well as German-American immigrants. It can be found throughout the midwest, in states such as Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Ohio, and also in states with larger concentrations of German heritage, such as Texas and Wisconsin.
The last name Scheefe is likely derived from the German word schief, meaning "slanted" or "lopsided". It is a common occupational surname, referring to craftsmen in the timber industry who joined the ends of planks in an angular pattern. This name is also found throughout Germanic languages, particularly in Dutch, which is a Dutch variant of the name Schiefe.
Variations of the surname Scheefe
The surname Scheefe is derived from the medieval German word ‘schefe’, which translates to ‘guardian’ or ‘guard’. This surname can be written and spelled in a few different ways, and there are also some surnames of similar origin. The most common varieties of the surname Scheefe include Schiefe, Schiefer, Scheef, Schiefen, Scheffer, Schiefl, Schefler, Schaefer, Schaffner, Schafner and Schaff.
The surname Scheefe can also be found with the variant spelling ‘Scheeff’, which was more common in Holland. Other variant spellings of the surname Scheefe include Sheeff, Shief, Shiefer, Sheaffer, Schaffer, Shifler, Shibler and Shiffler.
The surname Schiefen is derived from a place name in Germany and it is also a variant spelling of the surname Scheefe. The surnames Schaffer and Schaefer are also related to Scheefe and they mean ‘shepherd’ in Old German and Middle High German, respectively.
The surname Shiffler is derived from the Middle High German ‘sciflari’ which translates to ‘cleaver’ or ‘cutter’. This surname is specific to the region of Alsace and has become common in places such as France and Germany.
The surname Shibler is derived from the Middle High German ‘sibelin’ or ‘siblin’ and it is a variation of the name Schiefer. The meaning of this surname is ‘cutting agent’.
Finally, the surname Schefler is derived from Middle High German ‘scheflar’ and it is a variation of the name Schiefer, which means ‘guard’ in Old High German.
Overall, the surname Scheefe is derived from a Middle High German word, which translates to ‘guardian’ or ‘guard’. There are several spelling variations, as well as surnames of similar origin, including the variants Schiefen, Schaffer, Schaefer, Shiffler, Shibler and Schefler.
Famous people with the name Scheefe
- Ronny Scheefe: an American film, television, and theater actor.
- Dustin Scheefe: an American country and folk singer-songwriter.
- Jutta Scheefe: a German Paralympic gold medal wheelchair track athlete.
- Henning Scheefe: a Swiss architect and urban planner.
- Richard Scheefe: an American poet whose works are typically of a lyrical and romantic nature.
- Erik Scheefe: a Danish American painter and educator.
- Thomas Scheefe: a Swiss actor, known for the movies “A Coffee in Berlin” and “Farewell Comrades!”.
- Rainer Scheefe: a German-born artist, often referred to as “the pioneer of digital painting”.
- Jana Scheefe: a professional German ice skater who competes in both the singles and pairs disciplines.
- Hans-Günther Scheefe: an East German handball player who won a gold medal in the 1988 Summer Olympics.