Surname Sieve - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Sieve: What does the surname Sieve mean?
The last name Sieve is of German origin and is derived from the occupational surname for a sifter or a maker of sieves. Historically, the sieve was used as a kitchen utensil to separate larger pieces of food from the rest, such as separating wheat from chaff. As a last name, Sieve likely indicated a maker of these sieves, signifying a craft that was related to the agriculture and food storage industry.
Today, the surname Sieve is still common in Germany, the United States, and other areas, such as England and Scotland. In the US, the surname is most commonly found in the Midwest and Pennsylvania, where many German immigrants settled in the 19th century.
In modern times, the name Sieve often appears as a first name, most likely associated with the German origin of the surname. Examples of people with the given name Sieve include Sieve Knudsen, a Danish historian, and Sieve Mankita, a professor at Berlin’s Simon Kuznets University.
For those of German descent, the surname Sieve is an interesting reminder of the role sifters and sieve makers once had within the agricultural community. The name also serves as a reminder of the large waves of German immigrants who brought their own culture and traditions to new parts of the world during times of difficult economic and social transitions.
Order DNA origin analysisSieve: Where does the name Sieve come from?
The surname Sieve is most commonly associated with German and Dutch regions, although its exact origin is unknown. It is also found in other parts of Europe and the United States.
In Germany, the Sieve surname is often found in the area of Lower Saxony in the western part of the country. It can also be found throughout the German-speaking areas of Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Similarly, its presence is concentrated around the Netherlands, particularly in the provinces of North Brabant and Gelderland.
In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in the Midwest, especially in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Missouri. This is likely due to the influx of German and Dutch settlers in the 19th century. Additionally, the surname can be found in the Southern states of Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
Sieve is not usually found outside these areas, but it has spread around the world over the centuries. People with this surname have emigrated to other countries, establishing new branches of the family in the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and other locations.
Variations of the surname Sieve
The surname Sieve can trace its roots back to a variety of European countries including France, Germany, England, and Sweden, as well as other nations. It is a toponymic name derived from the Germanic word ‘sifan’ which means ‘sieve’.
Variations of the surname include: Siv, Siev, Sif, Sieve, Sieff, Sieber, Sieb, Siebe, Siebel, Seve, Sevee, Sibb, Siber, Sibbers, Sieberling, Siebert, Sifert, Siferth, Sievert, Siebau, and Seibert.
In France, the surname is spelled Siv or Sive. In Germany and other German-speaking nations, it is known as Sieb, Siebe, Sieben, Siebert, Sievert, and Siebel. In England, it is most commonly spelled Siev or Sieve. In Sweden, it is known as Sieff, Sibbee, Sibbers, Siebeling, and Sieberling.
No matter how it is spelled, the surname Sieve is of Germanic origin, and is derived from the word ‘sifan’ meaning ‘sieve’. It is commonly associated with sieve makers, denoting someone who worked with the tool.
Famous people with the name Sieve
- Graeme Sieve: New Zealand former international football player.
- Ray Sieve: American painter and sculptor.
- Paul Sieve: Belgian immunologist and geneticist.
- Ryan Sieve: Retired American ice hockey player.
- Leonard Sieve: American professor of biology and biochemistry.
- David Sieve: American architect and professor.
- Peter Sieve: German politician.
- Patrick Sieve: American radio programmer, producer, and DJ.
- Laura Ingalls Wilder: Famous American author best known for her novel Little House on the Prairie.
- F.C. Sieveking: British jurist and politician.