Surname Pfeifers - Meaning and Origin
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Pfeifers: What does the surname Pfeifers mean?
The last name Pfeifers is a German/Swiss name of German and Swiss-German origin. The name is derived from the Middle High German word 'Pfife', meaning 'whistle' or 'pipe'. Historically, the name was used to refer to someone who played the pipe or whistle, usually within a band or as part of a musical ensemble. It could also refer to a maker of such instruments.
Through the centuries, this name has become one of the most common surnames in Germany and Switzerland, with many variations. Spelling variants of Pfeifers include Feifers, Pfeifer, Feifer, Pfeiffer, and Feiffer.
The Pfeifers family is believed to have first settled in the area of southwestern Germany and Switzerland, known as Alsace. It is thought that the family branched out to other parts of Germany or migrated to other places further afield, including to America, over time.
In modern times, the surname is associated with a number of notable people, such as American actor and film producer John Pfeiffer, American singer-songwriter Mark Pfeiffer, as well as German/Swiss physicist Jacob Pfeiffer.
No matter where its members are found around the world, the name Pfeifers is associated with being musical, creative, and innovative.
Order DNA origin analysisPfeifers: Where does the name Pfeifers come from?
The last name Pfeifers is most commonly seen in Germany, The Netherlands, and Austria. In Germany, the name is especially concentrated in the regions of North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and Hesse. It is estimated that about 32,000 people in Germany have the last name Pfeifers.
In The Netherlands, the name Pfeifers is primarily concentrated in the province of North Brabant, with a smaller presence in the provinces of Gelderland and Limburg. It is estimated that approximately 10,000 people in The Netherlands have the name.
The last name has a smaller presence in Austria. It is thought to mainly be concentrated in the regions of Upper Austria, Styria, or Tyrol. It is estimated that around 1,500 people in Austria have the last name Pfeifers.
The surname Pfeifers also has an international presence. In the United States, it is estimated at around 2,500 people, primarily located in Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. There are also likely smaller concentrations of people with the last name Pfeifers in Canada, Australia, South Africa, and other countries, though exact numbers are not known.
Variations of the surname Pfeifers
The surname Pfeifers is a Germanic name derived from the element ‘Pfeiffer’ which etymologically means ‘whistler’ or ‘pipe-player’.
Variants of the surname Pfeifers include Pfeiffer, Pipere, Pfeifer, Pfeiffers, Pfeiferle, Pfeifferle, Fefer, Feifers, Feiffer, Feiffers, Feyfer, Feyfers, Feifferle, Fayfer, Feeffer, and Feeffers.
Spelling variants of surname Pfeifers include Pfife, Pfief, Pfeift, Pfeiftle, Pfeiftere, Pfiester, Pfyffer, Pfefere, and Pfiefer among others.
Surnames derived from Pfeifers include Peiffer, Pfeiff, Pfiffer, Peffer, Poper, Pfefferkorn, Pfaff, and Pfeiffenberger.
The multitude of variations of spellings and surnames derived from Pfeifers indicate that the name was a widely used surname with multiple spellings. In German-speaking regions, the surname is still in use today, albeit with fewer variations.
Famous people with the name Pfeifers
- Storm Pfeifer: Australian professional soccer player
- Lukas Pfeifer: German soccer player
- Christine Pfeifer: American high jumper
- Scott Pfeifer: American retired Major League Baseball pitcher
- Erich Pfeifer: German Olympic basketball player
- Elisabeth Pfeifer: Austrian folk singer
- Erwin Pfeifer: Austrian journalist and author
- John Pfeifer: American writer, director, producer, and actor
- Mark Pfeifer: German basketball player
- Liz Pfeifer: American Paralympic downhill skier