Show ContentsShiffman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Medieval Austria is the ancient homeland of the Shiffman family. Austria, which was originally home to a Celtic people, was conquered by the Roman Empire in about 15 BC. Following the fall of Rome, Austria was repeatedly invaded by barbarian tribes, such as the Vandals, Visigoths, and Huns, who swept in from the east. During the 5th and 6th centuries, the Alemanni, Avars and Slavs settled Austria. The Avars were defeated in 785 by the Frankish emperor Charlemagne, who set up the East Mark, which later became known as the Österreich. Austria was ruled by the Babenburger dynasty until 1278, when they were succeeded by the Hapsburg dynasty, which ruled Austria until the 20th century.

Early Origins of the Shiffman family

The surname Shiffman was first found in Austria, where the name could be considered to make a great early contribution to the feudal society which became the backbone of early development of Europe. The name became prominent in Austrian affairs and branched into many houses which played important roles in the savage tribal and national conflicts, each group seeking power and status in an ever changing territorial profile.

Early History of the Shiffman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shiffman research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1708, 1847 and 1920 are included under the topic Early Shiffman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shiffman Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Shiffman include Schiff, Schiffner, Schifer, Schiffs, Schiffe and many more.

Early Notables of the Shiffman family

Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Shiffman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Shiffman family

After the First World War, Austria became a republic. The Treaty of Versailles broke up the empire in 1919 and many of the Sudeten Germans were incorporated into the new nation of Czechoslovakia. In the 20th century, many Austrians migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Shiffman were Philip Schiffer, who arrived in New York in 1709-10; Bernard Schiffer came to Philadelphia in 1738; as well as Paul Schiffer in the same year; Hans Schiff came to Philadelphia in 1751.


Contemporary Notables of the name Shiffman (post 1700) +

  • Louis A. Shiffman, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New Jersey, 1956 1

USS Arizona
  • Mr. Harold Ely Shiffman, American Radioman Third Class from Michigan, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 2


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 22) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  2. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


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