The surname Eifer is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "eifern," which means to strive or be eager. This name was given as a nickname to someone who was energetic, ambitious, or zealous. Over time, it became a hereditary surname.
In some cases, it may also have origins in the Old High German word "eifar," meaning oak tree, indicating a place name origin for the surname. The specific region of Germany where the family originated is not known as surnames did not become widespread in Germany until the late Middle Ages and many records were lost during wars and various migrations throughout history.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Eifer
The meaning and origin of the last name Eifer
The surname Eifer is of German origin, derived from the Old High German "Evehard" or "Eberhard," which means "wild boar-hardy." Over time, this name underwent various phonetic and orthographic transformations, resulting in several spellings such as Eiffer, Eifert, and Eifer. It is a relatively rare surname in comparison to other German names but has been found predominantly among the German population. The distribution of the name today reflects historical migration patterns, with significant concentrations in Germany, the United States, and other countries with a strong German-speaking presence.
Geographical distribution of the last name Eifer
The last name Eifer is primarily found in German-speaking regions, with a significant concentration in Germany and Switzerland. It is also prevalent in neighboring countries such as Austria, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg due to historical migration patterns. In the United States, the surname Eifer has German origins and can be found predominantly among immigrants and their descendants, particularly in regions with high German-American populations like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. Smaller numbers of individuals with the surname Eifier can also be found in other parts of the world where Germans have immigrated, such as South America and Canada. The distribution reflects both historical migration patterns and continued settlement by descendants of German immigrants.
Variants and spellings of the last name Eifer
The surname Eifer can be found with various spelling variations due to differences in transcription and transliteration over time. Some common variants include Aeiffer, Ayffer, Eifert, Eiffer, and Yiffer. These variations may arise from regional dialects, historical recording methods, or individual preferences in the spelling of names. The name is likely of German origin, with "Eif" being a common element in numerous German surnames, meaning "eagle" or "falcon". Variations such as Aeiffer and Yiffer may have arisen from attempts to phonetically represent the original pronunciation in written form.
Famous people with the last name Eifer
Notable individuals with the surname Eifer include:
1. Jared Eifer - An American businessman and entrepreneur who co-founded and serves as CEO of Squarespace, a website building platform. He is also a founder of the marketing firm B-Reel.
2. Markus Eifer - A German physicist known for his work on quantum optics and photonics, particularly in the field of nonlinear optics. He has published numerous scientific articles and has been a professor at various universities.
3. Sam Eifier - An American musician and composer who is best known as the guitarist for the metal band As I Lay Dying. He has also released music under the moniker Confession.
4. Shira Eifer - An American actress who has appeared in television shows such as "Gilmore Girls," "Bones," and "Supernatural." She is also a co-founder of the LA-based theatre company, The Blank Theatre Company.
Genealogical research on the last name Eifer
The surname Eifer originates from Germany and is believed to have several possible origins. One theory suggests it derives from the Middle High German word "eifen," meaning "jealous" or "zealous." Another theory connects the name to the Old High German word "iouf," which means "yew tree." The name Eifer may also be a variant of the surname Iffer, which is associated with various locations in Germany, such as Iffezheim and Iflingen. Notable individuals bearing the last name Eifer include Friedrich Eifer, a German architect who designed several buildings in Frankfurt am Main in the 19th century, and Otto Eifer, a German politician who served as the Mayor of Hagen from 1925 to 1933. The distribution of the surname is predominantly found in Germany, with smaller populations in other parts of Europe and North America due to migration.
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The surname Eiferman is of German origin. It derives from a variation of the given name "Eberhard," which means "strong as an wild boar." In this case, the suffix "-man" was added ...
The surname Eifert is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "eife," meaning "olive," and the suffix "-ert" which indicates a person who comes from a plac...
