Surname Schauff - Meaning and Origin
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Schauff: What does the surname Schauff mean?
The last name Schauff is of German origin, and it is considered to be a locational surname, which refers to a person from a specific geographical location. The root of the name is the German word 'schauff', which means 'hut' or 'hut-like dwelling'. The name indicates that the original bearer of the name was a person who lived in a regional area surrounded by huts.
In some instances, the name can also be of Swiss origin, and can be derived from the Middle High German word 'schoufe', which has the same meaning as 'schauff'. This is likely due to the influence of German settlements in Switzerland during the Middle Ages. It is also possible that the name could have Israeli origins, derived from the German phrase 'schuf ha-aretz', which translates literally to 'created the land'.
The surname Schauff can be found most commonly in areas throughout Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the United States. It is also found in some other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is a relatively uncommon last name, but it has been in use for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisSchauff: Where does the name Schauff come from?
The last name Schauff is most commonly found today in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also relatively common in the Netherlands, France, and Hungary.
The origins of the Schauff surname are in Germany and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is believed to have been derived from a nickname for someone who lived at a corner or junction (schaufel meaning "corner" or "junction") of two roads. Over the centuries, the name has been spelt in various ways, from Schauffel to Schauch to Schauff.
In Germany, the Schauff name is most numerous in the eastern states of Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt, as well as in the northern states of Lower Saxony and Bremen. In Austria, it is heavily concentrated in the states of Besitzer and Suttgart, while in Switzerland it is most commonly found in the canton of Thurgau.
The surname is relatively uncommon in the United States, where most people with the name likely immigrated in the 19th and 20th centuries. Some early immigrants to the country, such as Henry Schauff who arrived in Philadelphia in 1738, trace their origins to Germany. Today, the majority of those with the surname likely live in the Upper Midwest and some parts of the Northeast.
Overall, the last name Schauff is relatively uncommon today, but it has a strong presence in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. For those with the surname, researching their family history in these countries may offer valuable insights into the origin of their name.
Variations of the surname Schauff
The surname Schauff has a variety of spellings and variants. These include Schauffe, Schaueff, Schoff, Schouf, Shauffe, Shoff, Shoffe and Szauf.
The surname originated from the German word "schaufen" which was used to describe a person who collected eggs and transported them in their lap to the market. Those who earned their livelihood by transporting eggs were known as ‘Schauffen’, and the name quickly spread and became a distinct surname.
Variants of the surname include Schauffe, which is derived from the Old German words "schuoen" or "schopf" meaning "a shallow bowl" or "cupped hand". Another variant of the surname, Shoffe, is derived from the Middle High German word "schoffe", which means "shield". The variant Szauf comes from the Hungarian spelling of Schauff.
Examples of surnames that have evolved from the original Schauff include Schofield, Shufflebotham and Chappell.
The Schauff surname can be found in many countries, with records in Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Finland and Hungary. It is also found in other countries including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and Norway. There is also a record of the surname in Palestine.
Also, the surname Schauff is associated with several prominent families and persons, such as Thomas Schauff of Stralsund, Germany, who was a painter and sculptor in the mid-nineteenth century; and Henry August Schauff, an American-born shoemaker who settled in New York in 1865.
Famous people with the name Schauff
- Alfred Schauff: Former Director of Operations for Mercedes AMG, and member of the supervisory board of AMG and Mercedes.
- John Schauff: Music Composer and Arranger who has written music for several films and television shows.
- Adolph Schauff Jr.: Aviator and innovator who is known for inventing the "Schauff Glider" in the early 1900s.
- Hermann Schauff: 19th century politician who was a member of the Bavarian parliament.
- W. Bruce Schauff: Former president of the National Association of Homemakers and former deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Helmut Schauff: German actor who has appeared in a number of television shows in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Reinhard Schauff: German actor best known for his role of "Helmut" in the television show "Der Rivale".
- Ruth Schauff: Award-winning actress who has performed in several films, theatre productions and television shows.
- Dr. Gustav Schauff: 19th century physician who was the first to provide medical relief in the city of Freiburg, Germany during the Black Death plague.
- Arthur Schauff: Military General who served in the Second World War and was the recipient of a number of awards and medals for his service.