Surname Leferenz - Meaning and Origin
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Leferenz: What does the surname Leferenz mean?
The surname Leferenz is of German origin and its meaning is somewhat uncertain. It is most likely derived from the German word 'Leveranz' meaning 'arrival' or 'deliverer'. It is also possible that the name is derived from a personal name, and there are several variations, including Leferinzin, Lefferenz, Lefeuren and Lefertin. The name is most commonly found in northern Germany and the Netherlands.
In medieval Germany, the words 'lever' and 'ferren' both meant 'carry', which could indicate that the Leferenz surname was borne by someone who delivered goods, likely a trader. The prefix 'Le' is thought to indicate a certain level of aristocracy, indicating that the person may have been high-born or of noble origins.
The name may also be derived from an old German or Gothic word 'laibi-ferrens' which translates to 'person who gives away house property'. This could point to an ancestor who practiced generosity.
The name Leferenz is now found across the world, with the largest populations being in the United States and Germany. Evidence of the surname can be found in records from as early as the 12th century, and it's likely that its bearer was either a trader or a person of noble status.
Order DNA origin analysisLeferenz: Where does the name Leferenz come from?
The last name Leferenz is most commonly found throughout various parts of Europe, mainly concentrated in Germany, Austria and other parts of Central Europe.
In Germany, a study of the last name Leferenz revealed that it is most common in the northern half of the country, particularly around the region of Bavaria. However, it can also be found in certain parts of Saxony and in Berlin, where it appears to have been present since at least the 19th century.
In Austria, the surname Leferenz is also relatively common in the country’s western and central regions, especially in Lower and Upper Austria, where the highest concentration of the name is found. It has also been noted as present in the states of Styria, Salzburg and Tyrol as well.
Not surprisingly, variations of this last name have been discovered outside of these two German-speaking countries. Records show that the surname Leferenz can also be found in other countries of Central and Eastern Europe, such as Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
It is worth noting that this name is also found in other areas of Central and Eastern Europe, though it is not as common as it is in Germany and Austria. Records indicate that people with this last name have been known to have resided in various parts of the former Soviet Union, including Russia, Ukraine and other countries of the former Soviet block.
The last name Leferenz can also be found in North and South America, more specifically in the United States, Canada and parts of Central and South America. This is likely related to the wave of Germanic and Central European migration which occurred during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Variations of the surname Leferenz
The surname Leferenz originates from the German language, where 'Leferenz' is derived from 'Lefere' meaning 'charity'. In Germany, this surname has many variants including Lefere, Lefferenz, Leferenz, Leferenzeker, Lieferenz, Leeferenz, and Leffering. In other European countries the surname may be found spelled differently. In France, you may find the surname spelled Leferens, Lefrans, or Lefrançais. In the Netherlands, you may find the surname spelled Leefering or Liefering. In Poland, you may find the surname spelled Lewerenz. In England, you may find the surname spelled Leferentz or Lefrance. In the United States, this surname is often Americanized and typically spelled Lefever or Lefever.
Variants of Leferenz have also been formed into patronymic surnames. In Germany, patronymic surnames typically were formed by adding "-s" or "-sen" to the end of the surname. Thus, patronymic surnames such as Leferenzs, Leferenzen, Leforens, or Leferens may be derived from the surname Leferenz. Outside of Germany, the same process may be seen in other countries, such as France (Leferençais, Le Français), the Netherlands (Leeferingen, Lieferingen), and the United States (Lefever, Lefever).
The spelling of this German surname has changed over time, as has its origin. This is common for most surnames, as spellings tend to shift with time due to pronunciation and language changes. Thus, the origins and spellings of Leferenz could vary greatly from family to family.
Famous people with the name Leferenz
- Herta Leferenz: University professor, philosopher and researcher of Social Business.
- Jeff Leferenz: Professional American football player for the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Vitali Leferenz: Professional ice hockey player signed with HC Sochi in the KHL.
- Miriam-Teresa Leferenz: Film producer known for the documentaries Exceptional Humans and Dear Water.
- Ulrike Leferenz: Writer and actress who starred in the American/Canadian action series Street Fury.
- Johann Heinrich Leferenz: Eighteenth-century German priest and poet.
- Carl Leferenz: Award-winning concert bassoonist and composer, also known for his collaborations with the German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of Saarbrücken.
- Erich Leferenz: Linguist and Professor Emeritus of German Literature at the University of Vienna.
- Max Leferenz: Watercolour painter also known for his contribution to the group of fellow painters of the Berlin Secession.
- Horst Leferenz: Award-winning cinematographer most well known for his films in Germany, including Momentary Lapses of Reason, Necrophobia and Asleep in the Forest.