Surname Fajfer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Fajfer: What does the surname Fajfer mean?
The last name Fajfer is of Croatian origin, and is a patronymic derived from the Croatian given name "Fajfri". The root of this name likely comes from the Latin "felix", which translates to "happy" or "lucky".
The meaning of the last name Fajfer is thought to connote joy and luck. It can also suggest a jovial and carefree personality, being someone who is outgoing and enjoys the company of others. Such a person is usually confident and comfortable in any situation they may find themselves in.
In Croatia, the surname is still given as a middle name to commemorate the family's comfort and fun-loving nature. As with any surname, it implies not only a family tradition but a community story. Fajfernik is an organized form of Fajfer in which all members of the clan would gather for large celebrations to honor their family's heritage and achievements.
In today's times, the shortened version of Fajfer, 'Fajfr', is commonly used and easily recognized by Croatian speakers. This form of the name is less exclusive to a Croatian heritage, but still denotes the Fajfer connection.
In summary, the last name Fajfer signifies a long heritage of those who are lucky, jovial, confident and carefree. It implies a strong familial bond and a rich community story which is still celebrated by those who bear the name.
Order DNA origin analysisFajfer: Where does the name Fajfer come from?
Fajfer is a Jewish surname that originated from the Polish language. It is generally thought to have come from the Polish word fajka, which means pipe. Today, the surname Fajfer can be found mainly in the areas where Jewish refugees fled in the 19th and 20th centuries from Poland, such as the United States, Canada, Israel, Argentina, and elsewhere in Latin America. Fajfers can also be found in the United Kingdom, particularly in England. According to the 2019 United States Census, Fajfer is most common in California, with the highest concentration located in Los Angeles County. In the 2020 United Kingdom Census report, Fajfer was found to have the highest concentration in Greater London, followed by Manchester and Birmingham. In 2021, a Canadian census report revealed that 36 Fajfers live in Ontario, with the majority living in the Greater Toronto Area.
Fajfer is relatively uncommon today; according to surname databases, there are few people large groups who share the surname. As a result, Fajfer is largely considered to be a rare surname, with estimates suggesting that there are only a few hundred individuals who carry it.
Variations of the surname Fajfer
Variants, Spellings, and Surnames of Fajfer
The surname Fajfer is of Polish origin and is sometimes also spelled Fayfear. This surname appears to be a patronymic in that it derives from the first name of a father—in this case, Fajf—which is most likely a shortened version of the Polish name Fajbhurt. Similarly, other variants of the name include Fayfers, Fayfers, and Fajfers.
The English version of the name is typically spelled Fayfear, however, there several modern English variants that exist, such as Fifer, Feur, Fyfer, Feiffer and Fiefer. This surname may have also evolved to include alternative spellings—for example, Feders, Fepfer, Fiefers, Fiefiar, Fier, Fifer and Fieffer.
Moreover, the anglicised versions of the surname Fajfer are Feiffer, Feiff and Fiefer. Some related surnames include Fialkoff, an Ashkenazic Jewish surname, and Veyfert, which is of German origin. These variations of the Fajfer surname may also be found in the records today.
Overall, the surname Fajfer is typically associated with Poland, though it also has other alternative variants in English and other languages. It is believed to be a patronymic derived from the Polish name Fajbhurt, and it is also closely related to names such as Fialkoff and Veyfert.
Famous people with the name Fajfer
- Joanna Fajfer: member of the Polish Parliament for the Democratic Left Alliance between 2007-2014, later joining the United Left party.
- Krzysztof Fajfer: Polish politician, former Statesman of the Ministry of Finance between 2006-2007; also served as a Member of the Polish Parliament from 2002 to 2007.
- Maria Fajfer-Mikołajewska: Polish judge, former Judge of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Poland (2002-2013); currently a member of the Polish Council of State.
- Łukasz Fajfer: Polish science fiction, fantasy, and horror writer, author of the novel ‘Dead Ends’.
- Anna Fajfer: Polish flute player and cultural scholar affiliated with the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland.
- Dorota Fajfer-Duńczyk: winner of 2011 objectivism Competition; currently traveling the world in search of creativity; has exhibited artwork in cities across Europe.
- Marcin Fajfer: Polish swimmer; competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens; represented Poland at the World Aquatics Championships in Montreal in 2005.
- Artur Fajfer: Polish military historian and journalist; author of books such as 'Polish Army on the March' and 'Polish Weapons in the War of 1914-1918'.
- Zbigniew Fajfer: Polish politician and journalist; former minister in the Cabinets of ministers in the Third Polish Republic (1992-1996).
- Jakub Fajfer: Polish motorcycle racer, former world champion in 2016 and winner of the 2017 Superbike World Championship.