Surname Scharfstein - Meaning and Origin
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Scharfstein: What does the surname Scharfstein mean?
The last name Scharfstein is of German origin and has several possible meanings. One possibility is that it originated as a version of the German word ‘scharf’ meaning ‘sharp’, a reference to the strength of someone's mind. In this context, Scharfstein could mean ‘sharp stone’ and refer to a person who is both intellectual and strong-willed.
Alternatively, the name could come from a type of rock called ‘scharfstein’, which literally translates to ‘sharp stone’. This rock contained a variety of quartz and soda feldspar, and was used in the past to make tools and weapons. A name derived from this rock might refer to someone with a strong and durable character.
The word ‘stein’ at the end of Scharfstein could also be a reference to a family crest. In German heraldry, two crossed stones (‘steine’) is a common symbol which stood for strength and courage. A family with the last name Scharfstein could have an ancestor with a strong personality, or they could have chosen this crest to symbolize their family’s values.
Overall, the last name Scharfstein has several potential origins. It could refer to someone with a sharp intellect, to a type of strong rock, or to a heraldic symbol representing strength and courage.
Order DNA origin analysisScharfstein: Where does the name Scharfstein come from?
The last name Scharfstein is most commonly found in Europe, particularly in the countries of Hungary, Germany, Israel, and Austria. It can also be found in certain parts of the United States like New York, Florida, and California. According to WorldNames PublicProfiler, the surname is most common in Simancas, Spain. It is also frequently found in cities of Russia and Ukraine.
In Israel, the surname is quite popular in areas such as Jerusalem, Beersheba, and Kfar Yehoshua. In Germany, it is common in cities located in the states of Berlin, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Bavaria. In Austria, Scharfstein is found mainly in Burgenland and Styria provinces.
In the US, the surname is most common in the state of Florida, particularly in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. It can also be found in multiple major cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, and Chicago.
Scharfstein is a German last name, derived from two words; scharfe, meaning sharp and stein, meaning stone. It is thought to be a derivation of a nickname for a sharp-minded person, or a person with a sharp tongue. Alternatively, it could have referred to a person who worked with stones or who made sharp tools.
Variations of the surname Scharfstein
The surname Scharfstein is a German name derived from the word “scharf,” meaning sharp, and “stein,” meaning stone. As such, it is often seen in variant spellings including “Scharfstain,” “Sharpstein,” “Scharpstein” and “Scharfaust.”
Additional Germanic variants of the name Scharfstein include “Scharfersztein,” “Scharfersztaiin” and “Schiersztain.” However, its most widely used European variant spelling is “Scharfstain.”
It is also common to find surnames derived from the original Scharfstein name, such as “Scheuerstein,” meaning “clean stone,” or “Schnellerstein,” meaning “fast stone.”
Other variant spellings of the surname Scharfstein can be found around the world, particularly among Jewish communities. Common spellings include “Sharfstain,” “Sharfstein,” “Sherfstein” and “Sherfstain.” It is also quite common for the variants of Scharfstein to be rendered as first names, such as “Sherf,” “Sharf,” “Scharf,” “Scharfa” and “Sharfie.”
The Scharfstein surname has also been Anglicized into various other spellings, such as “Chartrain,” “Chartstein,” “Sharpsteen,” “Sharpstine” and “Sharpteen.” There is also a Portuguese variant known as “Chorffstein.”
Since the surname Scharfstein is rather uncommon, we can surmise that any occurrences of its variants or other surnames of similar origin likely originate from the same source.
Famous people with the name Scharfstein
- Michael Scharfstein: American visual effects supervisor.
- Robert Scharfstein: American race car driver
- Norman Scharfstein: American cardiologist
- Joseph Scharfstein: Argentine fencer
- Eugene Scharfstein: Russian-American banker
- Felix Scharfstein: Canadian composer and clarinetist
- Manfred Scharfstein: German sculptor
- Sara G. Scharfstein: American pediatrician
- Elsie Scharfstein: American philanthropist and social worker
- Erwin Scharfstein: Romanian musicologist
- William Scharfstein: American lawyer and judge
- Judith Scharfstein: American rabbi, author and professor
- J.B. Scharfstein: American Orthodontist
- Julian Scharfstein: Canadian politician and lawyer
- Howard Scharfstein: American immunologist
- Lilly Scharfstein: German-American librarian
- Paul Scharfstein: Russian Jewish double bass player
- Nathan Scharfstein: American chemist
- Michael Scharfstein: American photojournalist
- Yehudi Scharfstein: Israeli Rabbi, Torah educator and author