Surname Schafferer - Meaning and Origin
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Schafferer: What does the surname Schafferer mean?
The last name Schafferer is of German origin and is derived from a medieval term that refers to someone who works as a government official, organizer or presiding officer. The literal translation is “one who dispenses justice,” but the surname can also refer to a noble position, suggesting that the owner of the name is of high social standing.
The German spelling of the name is “schaffer” which translates to “one who dispenses,” suggesting that the person is an individual who is responsible for carrying out orders or decisions made by others. This could be a police officer, military officer, or government official, among other roles.
Throughout the centuries, Schafferer has become an occupational surname for people from all professions. It can also be seen in other parts of the world, such as in Switzerland, where the spelling is Shaffer, and in France, where it is Schiffer.
Today, Schafferer is still a relatively common German surname, and some people’s roots are rooted in this ancient term. Although the literal translation has shifted, the surname still carries with it the same sense of leadership and justice, indicating someone who is responsible and respected in their community.
Order DNA origin analysisSchafferer: Where does the name Schafferer come from?
The last name Schafferer is most common in the German-speaking countries, particularly Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. These areas had a large influx of German immigration over the centuries and many of these immigrants adopted the German naming convention of adding the last name Schafferer.
In Germany, the most common region to find the name Schafferer today is Bavaria in the south-east of the country. It is also common in the states bordering Bavaria, including Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saxony-Anhalt. In addition, Schafferer is prominent in the economically prosperous region around Munich, where many immigrants with German roots settled in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Austria is another major source the Schafferer name. It is especially common in the eastern Austrian states of Styria, Carinthia, and Tyrol. In Switzerland, the Schafferer name is found mainly in the German-speaking cantons of Bern, Fribourg, and Zurich.
More broadly, the Schafferer name can also be found elsewhere in Europe, particularly France, Poland, and Spain. It is also present in some other parts of the world with a German diaspora. These places include the US, Canada, South Africa, and Brazil.
Variations of the surname Schafferer
The surname Schafferer is an occupational surname of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word 'schaffere' meaning 'cooper, maker of barrels'. Variants of this surname include Schaffer, Schafar, Schaefer, Schaffar, Schaeffer, Schaffer, Shaffer, Shafer, Shaffar, Sheafer, and Shafar.
Due to centuries of various dialects across Germany, and the passage of time, the original spelling of the surname Schafferer has evolved into several different spellings. In some cases, spelling variations were largely attributable to the regional locations in which the name originates, as well as the variants of the language spoken in those specific regions.
Additionally, individuals from non-English-speaking countries may have changed their names when immigrating to the United States, or other English-speaking countries, as surnames were often simplified to reflect the ease of pronunciation and spelling within the English language.
Furthermore, it is not unusual that one individual may be found with several spelling variations of their surname, as records were often incomplete or inaccurate during the time period in which they were documenting.
In closing, no two people from the same family are likely to have the exact same spelling version of the surname Schafferer, as spelling variations have been adopted over the years.
Famous people with the name Schafferer
- Kay Schafferer: is a German writer, folk singer, and collector of oral traditions from the Upper Swabian region in southern Germany.
- Bernd Schafferer: is a German poet who has published several collections of poetry.
- Philipp Schafferer: is a German music producer and composer who has won multiple awards for his works.
- Jeff Schaffner: is a Japanese-American film director, editor, and producer.
- Markus Schafferer: is a Swiss former football player and coach.
- Franz Schafferer: is an Austrian Olympic bobsleigh competitor, as well as a police detective and entrepreneur.
- Rudi Schafferer: is an Austrian cross-country skier, ski marathon, and Biathlon competitor.
- Martin Schafferer: is an Austrian Olympic sailor, who competed at two Summer Olympics.
- Betty Schafferer: is an American actress who has appeared in films, television, commercials and print work.
- Brian Schaffner: is an American political scientist known for his research on voting behavior and campaigns.