Surname Sievers - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling The Rich Tapestry of My Sievers Lineage: A DNA Analysis Experience with iGENEA
Embarking on a journey with iGENEA, I discovered the rich history of my surname, Sievers. Tracing back to medieval Germany, exploring my Y-DNA haplogroup's Celtic ties and my maternal links to early Western Eurasian populations, the DNA analysis opened a gateway to my ancestors, enhancing my understanding and pride in my name.
O. Sievers
read moreSievers: What does the surname Sievers mean?
The surname Sievers is of German origin and is derived from the Middle Low German word "siver," meaning "silversmith." As such, it is considered an occupational surname given originally to individuals who worked as silversmiths. Occupations were commonly used as identifiers during the period when surnames came into use in Germany. Different spellings of the surname can include Siever, Sieverding, Sievert, or Sieverdes. Like many other surnames of German origin, geographical distribution and usage of the name Sievers has spread beyond Germany due to historical emigration, especially to other areas of Europe, North America, and South America.
Order DNA origin analysisSievers: Where does the name Sievers come from?
The surname Sievers is most common in Germany. According to the Foreign Office of Germany, there are around 9,336 people who bear the last name. The name is also present in other parts of continental Europe, most notably the Netherlands, where around 1,231 people have it.
In other parts of the world, including the United States and England, the surname is far less common. Records from the United States Census Bureau in 2020 showed that 4,231 people had the surname, mostly concentrated in the states of Michigan and Minnesota. In England, the surname is much rarer with around 292 people having it, according to the British Census.
The name is also found in South American countries such as Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, where a small number of individuals have it. In fact, one of the most famous bearers of the surname from South America is Argentine footballer Rubén Sievers, who plays for Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro and the Argentine national team.
Overall, the surname Sievers is most common in Germany. It is also found in other parts of Europe, the United States, England, and South American countries to lesser extent.
Variations of the surname Sievers
The surname Sievers is a German occupational surname which can be spelt in a variety of ways, including Sievers, Seifers, Seiffers, Siifers, Sefer and Severs. The most common variant of the surname is Sievers, and it appears most often in the German state of Lower Saxony. In the Netherlands, the spelling Severs is more popular, while in the United States, the spelling Seifers is the most common.
The surname Sievers was derived from the medieval German name Sifver, which was literally an occupational name for a metal worker, or a maker of sieves. The name comes from the Middle Low German word siffer or sifer, which literally means “sieve.”
The current spelling variations of the surname Sievers are the result of the cultural and linguistic changes in German over the centuries. In the Middle Ages, spoken German was primarily composed of a mixture of German dialects. Over time, many of these dialects developed into a codified form of German, a process known as Standard German. This led to a more uniform spelling of German words, including the surname Sievers.
Despite variations in spelling, all forms of the surname Sievers can be traced back to a common origin. Many different spellings of the surname Sievers can be found all over Europe and the United States, even if the original spelling of the name has changed over time.
Famous people with the name Sievers
- Franz-Josef Sievers, German rower who won gold in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
- Bill Sievers, American actor and comedian who rose to fame for his appearances on the children's variety show The Little Rascals.
- Robert Sievers, Swiss- American artist best known for his San Francisco series modernist landscape prints.
- Ruth Sievers, German ballet dancer who became renowned for her performance as Swanildain Coppélia.
- Sir John Sievers, English businessman and aristocrat who was appointed Order of the British Empire.
- Harry Sievers, American racecar driver who participated in the Indianapolis 500 from 1914 to 1920.
- Gisela Sievers, Dutch children’s book author and illustrator who won numerous awards for her work.
- Gustav Sievers, German philosopher and physicist who challenged traditional views of philosophy and developed an early form of pragmatism.
- Buckley Sievers, American Broadway star who was a part of both the O'Flynn Company and the closing cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific.
- Alexei Sievers, Russian soccer player who is best known for his time with the Zenit Saint Petersburg and FC Amkar Perm.