Surname Schoaf - Meaning and Origin
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Schoaf: What does the surname Schoaf mean?
The last name Schoaf is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "schob" which means something cut, like a piece of wood. This suggests that the original bearer of the name was likely a carpenter or woodworker.
The name Schoaf is found in the Rhineland, specifically in the areas of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate. The earliest known bearer of this name was Heinrich Schoaff who lived in Rhineland-Palatinate in 1575.
The name is also found in the United States, specifically in Pennsylvania and Virginia, in counties such as Berks, Lancaster, Chester, Philadelphia and Fairfax. It is probable that the Schoaf family immigrated to the United States from German in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Today, the name Schoaf is not particularly common, but those who bear the name are proud of their heritage and have a strong sense of identity. Those with this surname are likely to be hardworking, independent people who value the importance of family and tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisSchoaf: Where does the name Schoaf come from?
The last name Schoaf is fairly uncommon in North America. In fact, the name is not recorded in the United States at all according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
However, the Schoaf surname can be found in several countries around the globe. For example, in Germany the name appears in areas such as Bavaria, Saarland, Thuringia, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. In the United Kingdom, Schoaf also has a presence, primarily in England with a few other occurrences in Scotland and Wales, according to Scotland's People.
Currently, there are a few European countries where the Schoaf surname appears to be the most concentrated, including Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg. In Austria, the majority of Schoaf families are located in the eastern parts of the country, particularly in the provinces of Burgenland, Carinthia and Styria. In Switzerland, records show that the Schoaf family originated in the canton of Valais, which is located in the southwestern part of the country.
Additionally, there are a few countries in South America where Schoafs can be found. Records indicate that many individuals with the Schoaf surname are located in Brazil, Venezuela and Peru.
Overall, even though the last name Schoaf is not common in North America, it appears to be relatively widespread around the world.
Variations of the surname Schoaf
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Schoaf are Schauf, Schaaf, Schaff, Schaffe, Schoof, Schaffel, Schofield, Schoeffel, Schoffell, Schoffer, Schoffield, Schoof, Schouffele, Schowalter, Schoafrother, and Schuaf.
Schoaf is a German surname, derived from a Middle High German word for ‘sheaf’ or ‘bundle’. The variants of Schoaf were more commonly found on documents from the Middle Ages, but the name itself continues to be recorded in records up to the present day.
Schoaf is found in both Germany and the United States, particularly Pennsylvania and Ohio. Variations of and spellings of this surname can be found across Europe, with different spellings occurring in various languages and dialects.
In German, Schoaf is most often spelled Schauf. Other German variants include Schaffe and Schaaf. Schoof, Schaffel, and Schofield are versions of the surname found in the Netherlands. Schoeffel, Schoffell, Schoffer, Schoffield, Schouffele, Schowalter, Schoafrother, and Schuaf are seldom-used variants.
Both Schoaf and its variants have spread across the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries. Identifying variants of Schoaf can be helpful in tracing one's ancestral roots, as the variations can indicate a regional or ethnic origin. Researching different collection types - including vital records, census records, military records, and immigration records - can reveal much-needed information about a family's ancestry, including when and where a specific version of the Schoaf surname originated.
Famous people with the name Schoaf
- Will Schoaf: A reality TV star that competed on the long-running reality show Survivor
- Jeremy Schoaf: Former NFL Player who played in the 1950s for the Baltimore Colts
- Katie Schoaf: A professional dancer that was a performer for the National Football League's Baltimore Ravens
- Jeff Schoaf: An award-winning rock and roll singer/songwriter
- Frank Schoaf: A successful Hollywood producer and director
- Doreen Schoaf: A Grammy-nominated violinist
- Matthew Schoaf: An international classical pianist
- Kevin Schoaf: An NFL quarterback for the Detroit Lions
- Joanna Schoaf: A former professional tennis player
- Nicholas Schoaf: A rising star soccer player currently playing for the German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund