English surname SCARFE
Looks like scarf, of course. Maker of scarves? Somebody who wore fancy scarves? Any ideas?
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Sounds feasible, but no; it's from the Old Norse skarfr, meaning "cormorant". I assume it's a nickname. Paul Reaney "The Origin of English Surnames" writes, "The cormorant has not given us a surname but its Norse equivalent skarfr survives as Scarfe, 'ravenous'." So a nickname for someone who is always hungry?
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Thanx a lot! Andy ;—)The Lady whose surname this is was very happy to learn about its origin. She can't wait to tell her children.Thank you!Andy ;—)
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