Surname Shifflet - Meaning and Origin
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Shifflet: What does the surname Shifflet mean?
Shifflet is a surname of unknown origin and meaning. It appears to be relatively rare and found in places like the United States, United Kingdom, and France. Some believe it may have been an occupational surname or a geographical surname from a place in England, as several last names in this region end with “-let”. It may derive from the word "sheaf", indicating the family's possible origin as farm workers or boulangers. However, without concrete genealogical evidence, this is all speculative. As a result, the exact definition and origin of the last name Shifflet remain uncertain.
Order DNA origin analysisShifflet: Where does the name Shifflet come from?
The last name Shifflet is commonly found in the United States today, many of whom are descended from German immigrants who arrived in the country in the 17th and 18th centuries. The name first appeared in Virginia in the 1700s, though it has since spread to other states including Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, and North Carolina.
In the United States, Shifflet is the 6,418th most common surname. The estimated population of Shifflet’s in the United States is around 10,000 people. Most modern-day Shifflets are concentrated in Pennsylvania, although they can also be found in smaller numbers in New York, Maryland, and Ohio.
The exact origin of the Shifflet name is unknown, but evidence suggests it is of Germanic origin. It is likely derived from the German word “schiften,” which means “to divide” or “to slice into pieces.” This could be a reference to a particular occupation in Medieval Germany—one that involved the slicing of meat or cheese. It could also refer to an agricultural practice, such as splitting a field into sections or harvesting grain.
The Shifflet family line is also steeped in American history, with several prominent civil servants, entertainers, writers, athletes, and other American figures born into the family. This suggests the importance of the Shifflet name to the American story—a name that has been around for centuries and that is still seen in towns and cities throughout the United States.
Variations of the surname Shifflet
The surname Shifflet has various spellings and variants of the same origin. These variations may be used either as a patronymic or as a surname in various countries, cultures, and languages. Spelling variations of the surname Shifflet may include: Shifflett, Shifflet, Shiflett, Schifflet, Schifflett, Shouflett, Shoufflet, Shoufflett, Shuflet, Shufflett, Shefflet, and Shefflett.
In some parts of the world, the surname Shifflet could also be found with a for emphasis, such as Schifflette, Schiflette, Shefflette, Shufflette. It is also sometimes spelled with "y" or "ey" at the end, such as Schifley, Shiffley, Sheffley, Shouffley, or Shuffley.
In Germany, the name Shifflet can be spelled Ziffle or Zifflett, while it is known in Scotland as Cheffles, Chiffles, Shiffalis, Shiffalies, and Shifflis. In Wales, the name is often seen spelled as Sheffles or Shiffus. In Israel, the name is seen spelled as Schiffeles or Shiffeles.
In the United States, the surname Shifflet is most common in the South and Virginia, as well as Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It is also seen in Iowa, California, New Jersey, and New Mexico.
In its various spellings, the surname Shifflet has historically been associated with Germans, Scots, Welsh, and Dutch, among other European nationalities.
Famous people with the name Shifflet
- Sarah Shifflet, a multi-talented writer, visual artist, and educator.
- Kevin Shifflet, professional tennis player who achieved a top ranking in doubles in 2004.
- Saul Shifflet, a United States Marine Corps veteran and bronze medalist for heroism during a patrol in Afghanistan.
- Dennis Shifflet, a world-class communicating educator who has published several books on public speaking.
- Scott Shifflet, a former professional golfer who played in the PGA Tour and other tournaments.
- Frank Shifflet, a prominent Florida physician who was the president of the Florida Medical Association.
- Toni Shifflet, a self-taught artist and sculptor who works in bronzes and mosaics.
- Rob Shifflet, a Grammy-nominated producer and engineer who is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.
- Ashley Shifflet, a social media influencer and lifestyle blogger who specializes in home design and fitness.
- Jordan Shifflet, a successful entrepreneur and business strategist who has been featured in Forbes and other publications.