Surname Streifinger - Meaning and Origin
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Streifinger: What does the surname Streifinger mean?
The last name Streifinger is of Germanic origin. It is a compound surname composed of two elements: the first part ‘str-’ comes from the Middle High German streifen meaning ‘to wander, to roam’. The second part ‘-inger’ is derived from the Middle High German inge or enge meaning ‘narrow’.
Therefore, ‘Streifinger’ is roughly translated to mean ‘to wander in narrow places’. The surname may have been adopted by a nomadic family who lived in a region characterized by crevices, precipices, and tight enclosures in the landscape. Alternatively, the name may refer to someone who travelled often in narrow places such as via trails through forests.
The name may have also evolved from an occupational surname referring to a profession related to narrow places. Perhaps the parents or ancestors of those who bear the surname Streifinger were master craftsmen, hunters, falconers, or merchants who traversed and worked in areas difficult to navigate.
The surname Streifinger is associated with many individuals across centuries and countries. Even today, variants such as Streiffinger or Streffinger are found in families in Germany as well as those who have migrated across the globe.
Recently, it has been established that the name Streifinger is likely to have first appeared in the 15th century.
Order DNA origin analysisStreifinger: Where does the name Streifinger come from?
The last name Streifinger is most commonly found in the United States, as well as parts of Europe, particularly Croatia, Slovenia, and Austria. In the United States, Streifinger is among the top 1000 most common last names, with individuals found in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and New York.
Streifinger is derived from a German word meaning "striped finger," which is thought to be a reference to a particular pattern of stripes in a man's hair. Alternatively, the name could also be derived from the German word "streifener," which refers to a striped ribbon.
The earliest known use of the name Streifinger dates back to 1620 in the region of Farrach, Austria. It is believed that the Streifingers originally from Austria moved to Croatia and Slovenia in search of better economic opportunities. Then, in the 19th century, Austrian-born Streifingers immigrated to the United States and other parts of Europe, including Germany, England, and Ireland.
Today, many of those with the last name Streifinger can be found living in the United States, Europe, and other countries around the world. With the growth of the internet and global migration, it is likely that the Streifinger name will continue to be seen in many parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Streifinger
The Streifinger surname has many variants and spellings, as well as other surnames that are derived from the same source. Some of these variants include Streifling, Streyfing, Streefing, Striefling, Striffling, Streuflin, and Strieking. These surnames all have Germanic, Central European, and/or Bavarian origins, although it is unknown which language or dialect is the original source.
The derivations from the original Streifinger include Streyfling, Straifinger, Streifenberger, Streifonsky, Streifon, Streifingerhof, Streiflingstetten, Streifling, Streiflinghaus, Streiflingen, Streyflinger, and Streyfingen. These all have similar etymologies, based off the original Streifinger, and often indicate residence in a particular village or region, or even a particular estate or house.
Other variants of the Streifinger surname include Streiffinger, Streffinger, Streufinger, and Steuffinger. All of these surnames are derived from the same Germanic source, and all have a similar meaning or origin. The meaning is typically “stiff finger”, indicating a hand with rigid fingers, or being skilled in a certain type of craftsmanship. Other spellings related to the
Streifinger surname include Strefinger, Streippinger, Strebing, Stratfeng, Stratfing, Strathfenger, Strathenfenger, Stratenfenger, and Strattenfenger.
Overall, the Streifinger surname has numerous variations, spellings, and derivations. Regardless of the exact variant, all spellings come from a historically Germanic source, and they all typically have the same, or similar, meanings.
Famous people with the name Streifinger
- Heinrich Streifinger (1820-1883): famous painter, art collector, and an important influence on Viennese art.
- clarinetist Peter Streifinger (1731-1794): first clarinet teacher at the Imperial Court in Vienna and leader of the court orchestra.
- Philipp Streifinger (1743-1812): Austrian composer, organist, and music publisher.
- Austrian conductor Franz Gruber-Streifinger (1912-1989): composer of operettas and waltzes, as well as a conductor at the Vienna State Opera.
- radiologist Gregor Streifinger (1882-1962): invented the first X-Ray machine in Vienna.
- Nobel Prize in Chemistry winner Anton Streifinger (1867-1953): famously known for his groundbreaking work on radioactivity in the early 20th century.
- Austrian painter Eduard Streifinger (1886-1942): painter of landscapes, cityscapes, and portraits.
- Professor Franz Streifinger (1840-1917): co-founder of the Austrian Psychological Society, a highly esteemed professor of psychology.
- architect and urban planner Karl Streifinger (1848-1912): renowned architect and urban planner famous for his work on public parks.
- sculptor Jakob Streifinger (1869-1934): his work, including the sculptur The Mountain Mama, can be found throughout Austria and other parts of Europe.