Surname Schaffer - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling Ancestry Through iGENEA: The Emotional Journey of a Schaffer Descendant
Taking the DNA test through iGENEA resulted in a thrilling journey of self-discovery, linking me to past generations that shaped who I am today. Revealing my genetic connection to the Schaffer surname marked a significant and emotionally charged milestone in understanding my ancestry.
M. Schaffer
read moreSchaffer: What does the surname Schaffer mean?
The last name Schaffer is of German origin and it translates to "shepherd" in English. This surname likely originated as an occupational name for someone who tended sheep. Occupational surnames were quite common in Europe during the Middle Ages, as people began to have specialized jobs. So a person with the last name of Schaffer may have had ancestors who were shepherds. This is a common surname in Germany and in countries with significant German-speaking populations. The name may also be spelled "Schafer" or "Schäfer", depending on regional variations in language and spelling. The use of umlauts (such as ä) is common in German, but is often dropped in English-speaking countries. So, someone bearing this surname today might not necessarily have any link to the shepherd occupation, but their ancestors probably did.
Order DNA origin analysisSchaffer: Where does the name Schaffer come from?
The surname Schaffer is most commonly found in Germany and Switzerland, followed by the United States, Canada, Austria, and France. In Germany, Schaffer is the 179th most common surname and is especially widespread in the southern states. In Switzerland, it is the 74th most popular surname and is found in the French-speaking region.
In the United States, Schaffer is the 2,393rd most common surname according to the US Census Bureau with an estimated population of over 110,000. There are concentrations in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. In Canada, Schaffer is the 4,955th most popular surname and is most common in Quebec province.
In France, Schaffer is the 755th most common surname and is primarily found in the Alsace region, which lies between France and Germany. In Austria, Schaffer is the 286th most common surname and is mostly found in the Burgenland province.
Overall, Schaffer is an uncommon German-origin surname that is slowly spreading around the world as descendants of German-speaking migrants establish families in other countries.
Variations of the surname Schaffer
Schaffer is a German and Jewish surname that is derived from the Middle High German word “schaf”, meaning “sheep”. It is an occupational surname for someone who raised sheep.
The Schaffer surname has numerous variants and spellings, including Shaffer, Schaefer, Schaeffer, Schafer, Shafer, Shaffar, Chafers, Chaffer, Chaffers, and Choffers. The spelling of the surname also varies greatly across cultures and languages. Other countries use the spelling Scheffer (Dutch), Schaeffer/Schäffer (German), Šajfert (Slovenian), Schafers (ABLE/Lemon Westphalian), Shaffers (English), and Schaepfer (French).
The Jewish spelling of Schaffer is often spelled Shaffer and is more common in Yiddish, while the German spelling is more common in Germanic countries. The surname is also found frequently among the early German immigrants to America who anglicized it to Shaffer.
The spelling of Schaffer is slightly different depending on where the family is from. In Europe, the spelling of Schaffer is often changed depending on the language of the country and the native dialect of the family. For example, in Eastern Europe the spelling is typically Schaffers, while in Western Europe the spelling is often Schaefer.
Despite its many variations, the Schaffer surname remains recognizable in most parts of the world due to its recognizable origin from the Middle High German word “schaf”. Today, the most common variants of the surname are Shaffer and Schaefer, but variants and spellings can differ greatly based on location and history.
Famous people with the name Schaffer
- Paul Schaffer: American musician and television personality
- Amit Schaffer: Set Decorator for movies including Avengers, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Catch Me If You Can
- Ruth Schaffer: Founded the forefront Troop Provider organization, Girls Scouts of the USA
- Erich Schaffer: American actor best known for supporting roles in the television series Sex and the City and Law & Order: Criminal Intent
- Werner Schaffer: Scientist and Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Munich
- Peter Schaffer: Playwright best known for works such as Amadeus and Equus
- Stephen Schaffer: Olympic shooter who won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Games
- Rachel Schaffer: Principal Dancer at the American Ballet Theatre
- Sarah Schaffer: Singer and musical theatre actress
- Kirby Schaffer: Notable MOTOCROSS rider and former NASCAR driver