Surname Pfaffel - Meaning and Origin
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Pfaffel: What does the surname Pfaffel mean?
The last name Pfaffel is of German origin and dates back to the late Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the Middle High German expression “pfaffelcheit”, meaning either “of the clergy” or “belonging to the clergy”. The surname is also thought to be connected to the Old High German expression “pfaffele” which means “of a priest”.
Pfaffel is also a surname found among the Amish, who are believed to originate from Europe and to have taken on the surname from somewhere during their migration. It is thought to be derived from the Dutch expression “paffelen”, a verb meaning to make a fuss or to act like a fussbudget.
The meaning of the name Pfaffel is associated with both the clergy and being a fussbudget, making it an interesting and unique last name for anyone to carry. Interestingly enough, Pfaffel is a relatively uncommon surname, making it a great one to possess if one is looking to stand out.
Throughout centuries and in different cultures, the surname Pfaffel has been connected to the clergies and fussbudgeting behaviour. Whether for its uniqueness or its associations, the name Pfaffel is sure to make an impression.
Order DNA origin analysisPfaffel: Where does the name Pfaffel come from?
The last name Pfaffel is believed to be of German origin and is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, although there are small pockets of the surname in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other parts of Europe. In Germany, the surname is most commonly found in the Bavarian region and surrounding states, particularly in the city of Munich and areas along the Rhine. The Pfaffel surname is also found in the United States, particularly in the northeastern part of the country. Various states in the eastern part of the United States — including Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Jersey — have significant numbers of people bearing the surname.
In the United States, the Pfaffel surname is most associated with Pennsylvania, where the largest number of individuals with the surname can be found. In Pennsylvania, the surname is particularly common among the Pennsylvania Dutch.
Elsewhere, the name is found in smaller numbers, but still concentrated in certain countries or regions, such as in the United Kingdom, which has the second-largest number of individuals with the Pfaffel surnames living there.
In terms of worldwide distribution of the Pfaffel surname, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland remain the top countries where the name is most common, while the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia also show significant numbers of individuals with the surname Pfaffel.
Variations of the surname Pfaffel
The surname Pfaffel is a German and Jewish surname originating from the Middle High German word “pfaffel”, meaning a lady’s skirt or a veil. It is most commonly spelled as Pfaffel, however there are various alternative spellings and variants of the name, including Pfeffel, Pfaffelhofer, Pfaufel, Pfäffle, Pfeffle and Pfauf.
Pfaffel is a relatively uncommon name in many parts of the world, however it is particularly widespread in Germany and Austria, with a large number of bearers of the name living in both countries. Other countries where the surname is relatively well-represented include South Africa, Canada and the United States.
The surname is also seen in a few other forms. In the United States, the Pffaff or Pffeffel variant of the name is sometimes used and in some cases the ‘Pf’ prefix has been dropped. In South Africa, an Afrikaans spelling saw the name become pfaffel (without the ‘P’), while in Canada the Pfäffle spelling is sometimes used.
Depending on the language in which it is written and pronounced, the surname can also take on different surnames. In German, it is sometimes written as Pfeffelmann or Pfeffelmann. In Jewish, it can be written as פפל, פפלמן orפפלהופר. In Spanish, it is sometimes referred to as Pfeffelmayer, while in Italian it is sometimes seen as Pfeffelle.
Famous people with the name Pfaffel
- Kurt Pfaffel: Austrian politician known for being a Member of Parliament and honorary member of the Vienna Bar Association.
- Carol Pfaffel: Austrian businesswoman and entrepreneur.
- Paul Pfaffel: former CEO of Lufthansa Germany and member of the executive board of Deutsche Telekom AG.
- Gregor Pfaffel: German professional football player.
- Soffie Pfaffel: German actress, singer, and social media personality.
- Dagmar Pfaffel: German journalist and author.
- Franz Pfaffel: former Austrian ambassador to the United States.
- Ingo Pfaffel: German pilot and one of the founders of the German airline, Juergen Tell Air.
- Anna Pfaffel: Austrian doctor and researcher specializing in parasitology.
- Jonathan Pfaffel: Australian zoologist and conservationist.