Surname Schriefers - Meaning and Origin

Schriefers: What does the surname Schriefers mean?

Schriefers is an occupational surname derived from the German word 'Schreiber.' It was used as a title for a person appointed by a court or nobleman to write or transcribe documents such as accounts, letters and legal contracts.

The Schriefers name is most common throughout Germany, primarily originating from the Lower Rhine and Westphalia regions. However, the surname Schriefers can be found in many other countries due to the emigration of German people in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Schriefers is the plural form of Schreiber, and in Germanic language the suffix "-er" is appended to denote a trade or craft. Therefore, Schriefers literally translates as “someone who writes”.

In the 15th century Schreiber, and by extension the Schriefers name, was used to describe a wide variety of occupations, including official court records clerks, secretaries, bookkeepers, authors or even librarians. Similarly, individuals appointed as personal attendants of noblemen were also commonly referred to as Schriefers.

Today, variations of the Schriefers name can be found throughout the world, with people proudly bearing the surname carrying on the tradition of those who once held the noble profession of record-keeping and writing.

Schriefers: Where does the name Schriefers come from?

The last name Schriefers is a fairly common surname in present day. It is particularly prevalent in certain areas of Germany, as well as parts of the Netherlands, Northern Belgium, and Denmark.

The origin of the last name is rooted in Northern Germany, where it was adopted by the Schriefers family in the early 1300s as a sign of nobility. It was a popular name among both the farmers and the squire class. During the late 1700s, Germany saw a mass immigration of Schriefers to the United States, Brazil, and Canada. It is in these countries where the surname can now be found.

In the US, the name is spread across various states, such as Florida, Pennsylvania, and California. This is due to the Schriefers family that left Germany in the late 1700s, looking for a better life in the New World. The name is also found in England, Canada, and Australia, with the highest concentrations in the US.

The name Schriefers almost always refers to someone related to the same family line. Being of the same family line, Schriefers tend to have similar interests, values, and beliefs. It is a loyalty that has been passed down and is rooted in the Schriefers family.

Variations of the surname Schriefers

The surname Schriefers is a German occupational name originally used to describe someone who held a post as a tax collector or a treasurer. It derives from the Middle Low German word ‘Schrieffer’ which means ‘scribe’ and is composed of two elements, ‘schier’ which means ‘to write’ and ‘offer’ which means ‘keeper’. Variations of the surname Schriefers include Schriefer, Schreifer, Schreiber, Schreiver, Schriver and Schrievers. Within German-speaking countries, the name is also spelled as Schriefer and Schrefer; in France, Schweiffer, and in the Netherlands, Schrevers. Other spellings of Schriefers include Schriefers, Schroefers, Schroepfer, Schroeffer, and Schroiffers.

Surnames of similar origin include Schreyer, Wilcox, Wilcoxen, and Wilkerson, which all were used to describe people who held a job as an official writer or accountant. Some Swedish synonyms for Schriefers are Skrifter, Skriftare and Skriftman. Additionally, some common Dutch surnames of the same origin are Schrijver, Schroever, and Schroyer.

The variants of the surname Schriefers with their related spellings can be found in Germany, the Netherlands, France, England, Ireland, Poland, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Austria, the United States, Canada, and other countries.

Famous people with the name Schriefers

• Andreas Schriefers: German former professional footballer
• Chris Schriefers: South African former professional cricket player
• Frank Schriefers: German documentary filmmaker
• Jan Schriefers: Dutch actor
• Marga Schriefers: Dutch actress
• Rob Schriefers: Dutch business executive
• Stefan Schriefers: German composer
• Tobias Schriefers: German professional athlete and bodybuilder
• Winfried Schriefers: German former professional soccer player

Other surnames

Schriefer