Surname Cifer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Cifer: What does the surname Cifer mean?
The surname Cifer does not have a specific meaning traceable to a particular language or culture. It appears to be quite rare and may represent a variation or mutation of another surname – a common occurrence in the history of surnames, which can change due to factors like migration, translation, or literacy levels. Similar-sounding surnames that might be sources for Cifer include the English "Cipher", which means a secret or disguised way of writing, or the Hebrew name "Ziffer", which means number. It may also be a variation of the name "Sipher", probably an Americanized spelling of German Seifer or cypher which has the same meaning as in English; a puzzle, something difficult to understand or solve, or a zero. Please note that the exact origins and meaning of rare surnames can be challenging to determine definitively without more contextual information. The meaning can also differ based on geographic or ethnic origins.
Order DNA origin analysisCifer: Where does the name Cifer come from?
The last name Cifer is not particularly common in any particular region or ethnicity. It is not found in the US Census, for instance. It is most likely a derivation of either the German or Jewish name "Sifre."
The German Cifer surname is derived from the Middle High German word "sifre," which means "sword." It often referred to a skilled swordsman, noting his ability to use a blade. This is often associated with the Czech surname "Sifter" or "Svoboda," which means "freedom."
The Jewish Cifer name is derived from the Hebrew word "sippure," meaning "record" or "story." This could refer to someone who kept written records, or someone who is good with words. It is also possible that this name arises from another Jewish name, such as that derived from "soffer," which means "scribe."
No matter the origin of the Cifer name, it is likely not common today, as the surname is not found on the US Census. Its sporadic presence throughout different countries and cultures implies that this name is of relatively recent origin.
Variations of the surname Cifer
The surname Cifer has different spellings depending on the language or dialect used. In Latin, the surname is properly spelled as Cifer, in Old English it could be Cafur or Cefir, in French it is Ciffer, in German and Dutch it is Ziffer or Zieffer, and in Spanish it is Zifra.
Variants of this surname include Cifelli, an Italian version; Ciffelli, also Italian; and Cefali, an Americanized way of spelling the name Cifer.
There are also a few surnames that have a similar origin but are spelled differently. Some of these include Coffer, Zoffer, Koffler, Cuffler, Koefler, and Kiefer.
These are all surnames that may have stemmed from the same original source, Cifer. All of the different spellings, surnames, and variations of this surname may have been adapted from one another over the years, or they could have just taken on different forms as each culture evolved independently.
It is impossible to tell which spelling truly originated the surname, but it is definitely a unique and interesting history that has spanned centuries and many cultures.
Famous people with the name Cifer
- Elisabeth Cifer: She is a American actress well known for her roles in various award-winning films, such as Heathers, Fish in the Bathtub, Jumping Jack Flash, and Book of Love.
- David Cifer: He is a actor and filmmaker from the UK. He starred in the blockbuster movie Avengers: Age of Ultron and also had roles in popular TV series like EastEnders and The Inbetweeners.
- Justin Cifer: He is a American musician from the band Cifer. He has been active in the music industry since the late 1990s and released his own solo album, Life in Crazy Times, in 2013.
- Denise Cifer: She is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. She has released several solo albums and has collaborated with artists such as John Legend and Rihanna.
- Tom Cifer: Tom is a American voice actor best known for voicing characters in Disney movies and video games. He has provided voices for characters in films such as Pocahontas, Hercules, and The Lion King, as well as in games like World of Warcraft and The Sims.
- Abraham Cifer: He was a German-born composer and music teacher who migrated to the United States in 1837. He wrote a number of symphonies, operas, and piano pieces and taught music at the University of Cincinnati.
- Stephen Cifer: Stephen is a cinematographer and director. He has worked on a number of television shows, including Star Trek Voyager, 24, and Beverly Hills 90210. He also directed the 2009 feature film Natural Born Killers.