Surname Scheffelin - Meaning and Origin

Scheffelin: What does the surname Scheffelin mean?

The surname Scheffelin is of Germanic origin. The name is derived from the Middle High German ‘Scheffel’ which translates to ‘shepherd’ or ‘shepherd's staff’. The name was originally given as a professional name to someone who was a shepherd or a herdsman. It was also occasionally used as a nickname for someone with a shepherd-like manner or character. During European emigration in the 18th and 19th centuries, the name Scheffelin spread across many countries, including the United States and France.

In the United States, the name is mainly found in the Midwest and the East Coast, especially in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ohio. The name has also spread to the United Kingdom, where it is the 39,212th most frequently used surname. In its original form, the name has various spellings including Schaefflein and Schiefelin.

The Scheffelins were a well-to-do respected family of merchants, living in in Upper Bavaria, Germany as early as the 15th century. In the 18th century, the family grew in influence in the Homburgyscke line. Many of the members of the family were appointed to various offices at court. The last remaining members of the family in Germany intermarried with other notable families and eventually died out, leaving behind a legacy of influential and prominent Dynasties they helped to create.

Today, the name Scheffelin is a reminder of a proud, respected and influential family, with a legacy that has spanned centuries.

Scheffelin: Where does the name Scheffelin come from?

The last name Scheffelin is most commonly found in Germany, where it is a variation of the German word for "shepherd." However, it is found throughout Europe, and in some other countries, including the United States, Canada, Belgium, France, and Netherlands. In the U.S., Scheffelin is found most frequently in the Midwest, particularly in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and is also present in areas of the South, particularly Louisiana.

In Germany, the origin of the name is traced back to the Middle Ages, when it was commonly used to indicate an occupation as a shepherd. It is believed to have been derived from a nickname for a shepherd, likely tied to the phrase "Schäfers Freude," which translates to "sheepherd’s joy" in German.

Apart from its German origin, Scheffelin is also a French Huguenot surname, which originated with those who fled France to escape religious persecution during the 17th and 18th centuries. Over time, the spelling of the name has varied, with Schefflin, Scheffelin, and Schaefelin all common variations.

The last name Scheffelin is fairly uncommon today, but its legacy remains within many European and global countries. In the United States, descendants of the original German name bearers are spread out throughout several different regions, such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, Louisiana, and others. In addition, many variants of the name have cropped up in other countries, as a result of the diaspora of the Huguenot people during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Variations of the surname Scheffelin

The Scheffelin surname is believed to be of Germanic origin and derived from "Sceffel," a nickname for an industrious person. There are various variants of the Scheffelin surname that can be found in multiple European countries, including 'Schaeffelen' and 'Schaffelen' in the Netherlands, 'Sheffield' in England, 'Schaffling' in Germany, 'Sceuffel' in Luxembourg, and 'Astoffin' in France.

In some locations, spelling can greatly impact the pronunciation and meaning of a name, so many Scheffelins have adopted alternate spellings. In Germany, variants such as 'Schaefelin' and 'Schaefeling' have become popular. In France, 'Scheffeler' is a common spelling of the name.

Nicknames are often used as a way to differentiate between different generations of Scheffelins and can serve to preserve family heritage when combined with more standardised versions of the name. For example, 'Scheff' or 'Schaff' are used in parts of Germany, 'Sheff' in England, and 'Schef' in other countries. In some cases, such as Sheffel in Canada, the naming conventions of that country have resulted in the surname being completely transformed into something completely different.

The Scheffelin surname has a number of distinct crossovers in other names including Scheffler, Schaeffer, and Schafer. All of these names are of Germanic origins, although some may have been altered over the centuries due to immigration and linguistic developments.

Overall, there is a great amount of diversity in the ways the Scheffelin surname is spelt and pronounced, and many families have adopted different interpretations of the surname to suit their own cultural backgrounds.

Famous people with the name Scheffelin

• Edward T. Scheffelin: American entrepreneur, the founder of E. T. Scheffelin & Company, a purveyor of finest quality alcoholic beverages.
• Harry Scheffelin: American actor, mostly known for playing supporting roles in films and television such as The Waterfront, Stalag 17, Johnny Got His Gun, and Perry Mason.
• Jakob Scheffelin: German theologian and reformer, best known for his work towards establishing the Reformation in the Grand Duchy of Baden.
• Hugo Scheffelin: German architect and paintmaker who designed the University of Göttingen's House of Science Building.
• Johannes Scheffelin: German philosopher and polymath, best known for his works in the field of aesthetics, philosophy of language, and moral philosophy.
• Joachim Scheffelin: German theologian and philosopher, best known for his critical works on Aristotelianism and Scholasticism.
• Joseph Scheffelin: Swiss-American naturalist and entomologist, credited with creating the first insect preservation museum at the University of Basel.
• Ludwig Scheffelin: German chemist, credited with the discovery of arsenic oxide through the analysis of arsenic impregnated wood.
• Robert Scheffelin: French obstetrician, noted for pioneering various improvements in obstetrics and gynecology such as the Scheffelin Procedure for diagnosing uterine prolapse.
• Wilhelm Scheffelin: German-American surgeon and pathologist, credited with developing the concept of a ‘fever of unknown origin’ and identifying the link between typhoid fever and infections caused by Salmonella bacteria.

Other surnames

ScheffelerScheffer