Surname Dörffel - Meaning and Origin

Dörffel: What does the surname Dörffel mean?

The last name Dörffel is of Germany and Dutch origin and is an occupational surname. The name refers to a person who acted as a dorr (door) warden or guard. It is believed that the surname developed from the Middle High German ”darf” which means “ward” or “guard”.

The surname Dörffel has been found in records dating back to the 16th century, when it was particularly common in the northern German region of Lower Saxony. It has also been recorded in other parts of the country, including the states of Wurttemberg, Brandenburg, and Prussia.

The spelling of the name Dörffel can vary depending on the region where it is found. It has also been recorded as Dorffel, Dörfel, Dorfel, and Dörsel.

The modern heirs of the Dörffel name can be found throughout the world, with concentrations in the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands. Today, the surname is a reminder of the rich history of the German and Dutch people and their contributions to the world.

Dörffel: Where does the name Dörffel come from?

The last name Dörffel is mainly found in Germany today. It is a German last name that is most frequently found in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Saxony. Furthermore, the name is associated with German during the Middle Ages when it was found mainly in the Silesian region. It may have first appeared there in the 13th century.

The name Dörffel has many different spellings, including Doerffel, Dorffel, Dörfel, and Dörfler. These spelling variations likely arose from the literate and nonliterate populations of the region during this early period. The name is thought to have stemmed from “dorf” which means “village” or “small settlement,” suggesting the ancestral family may have lived and farmed in a small agricultural settlement.

The density of the last name is highest in Northeastern Germany and the North Hessian region today. The abundance of the name in this region is likely due to the area’s historical significance and continued presence of the name over time. Despite the regionalized nature of the name, members of the Dörffel family can be found throughout Germany, as well as in places such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, due to the emigration of individuals with the name in search of opportunities.

Variations of the surname Dörffel

The surname Dörffel (pronounced "Durr-fel") is a regional variation of the German name Dorfel, with its origins in Germany. The surname can be spelled with an umlaut, with "Dörfel", as well as with the diacritical mark "Döürfel". Other variants of the same name include Dörrfel, Derfel / Derffel, Dorffel / Dorfel, Dorfel / Dorfalk and Dörfel / Dörfalk.

The various spellings may also be regional. For example, the "Dörrfel" spelling can be found in the states of Bavaria and Berlin, while the "Derfel" spelling is more common in the state of Schleswig-Holstein. "Döürfel" is more popular in the Rhineland region, while "Dorffel" and "Dorfel" are more common in the states of Saxony, Thuringia, and some parts of Lower Saxony.

The surname may also be attached to other surnames, making related surnames like Dörfflinger, Dörflinger, Dürflinger, Dörfeler, Dörffeler, Dörfelberger, Dörffelberger, Dörfelsanger, and Dörffelsanger.

Other derivative surnames, such as Dörffmann, Dörrfmann, and Döürfman, may have originated from a nickname based on the original designation. It is also possible that the surname was adopted as a nickname or a patronymic (son of Dorfel) from members of the Dorfel family.

The surname can also be found in other countries in Europe, with spelling variations such as Dörfeler (Germany), L'Dorfels (France), Dreffel / Dreffels (Belgium), Dorfill (Spain) and Dorftel (Austria).

In conclusion, it can be said that the surname Dörffel has many variants, spellings, and derivative surnames across Europe. Although the spelling and origin may vary from region to region, it can be assumed that the surname has a common origin and is derived from the German name Dorfel.

Famous people with the name Dörffel

• Alexander Dörffel: a German actor, director and producer who has starred in many film and television works.
• Jan Dörffel: a German actor, known for his work in television shows ‘Alarm for Cobra 11’ and ‘Traumreise der Liebe’.
• Bernd Dörffel: an award-winning German musician, jazz vocalist and composer.
• Peter Dörffel: a German author and art historian who wrote several books about German pre-modern art.
• Chris Dörffel: a German architect and designer who has created many urban landscapes and buildings.
• Reinhard Dörffel: a German Paralympic athlete who has won gold medals in discus, javelin and shot put.
• Julia Dörffel: a German actress who has starred in films such as ‘Radikale Nähe’ and ‘Mein Weg’.
• Robert Dörffel: a former German footballer, playing mainly as a defender for various clubs in the Bundesliga.
• Cordula Dörffel: a German figure skater, competing in both singles and pairs.
• Sebastian Dörffel: a German physicist and astronomer, specialising in particle and nuclear physics.

Other surnames

DorfferDörffer