The prestigious surname Dreifus is a symbol of an ancient Jewish heritage. Before the late Middle Ages, people were known only by a single name. However, as the population increased and travelers set out on their journeys, it became necessary for people to adopt a second name to identify themselves. Jewish hereditary surnames were adopted from a variety of different sources.
The surname Dreifus is a Western Ashkenazic habitational surname, from the town of Trier on the Moselle. A modern interpretation of the derivation of this surname associates it with the German word "dreifuss," which means "tripod." The derivation as a habitational surname, however, is more probable.
Dreifus Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Drefus, Dreyfus, Trefus, Treves, Trevis, Trives, Trivis, Trivus, Trivas, Tribus, Trèves, Trève, Trivier, Trivash, Dreifus, Dreifuss and many more.
