SCHAEFER
Schaefer
Origin and Meaning
Schaefer is a variant spelling of the German surname "Schäfer", meaning "shepherd" in German. The name likely originated as an occupational surname for someone who worked as a shepherd, or it could have been a topographic name for someone who lived near a shepherds' dwelling.
Distribution and History
While Schaefer is of German origin, it has also been adopted as a surname by individuals in English-speaking countries, including the United Kingdom. The surname may have been introduced to the UK through immigration or could have been Anglicised from the original German form.
Famous Individuals
Notable individuals with the surname Schaefer include:
-
John F. Schaefer: A British businessman known for his contributions to the fields of finance and philanthropy.
-
Karen Schaefer: A British artist recognised for her innovative approach to contemporary painting.
-
Thomas Schaefer: A British academic who has made significant contributions to the field of environmental science.
Variants
Variants of the surname Schaefer include "Schäfer", "Shaeffer", and "Schaffer".
There are approximately 295 people named Schaefer in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around five in a million people in Britain are named Schaefer.
Religion of origin: Jewish
Language of origin: Hebrew
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alexander
- Andrew
- Carl
- Christian
- Daniel
- David
- Joerg
- Juergen
- Martin
- Max
- Michael
- Peter
- Thomas
Female
- Angela
- Annette
- Barbara
- Caroline
- Christine
- Jeannette
- Julia
- Karin
- Louise
- Martina
- Petra
- Sabine
- Sarah
- Stefanie
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Chafer
- Chaffer
- Chavers
- Chafee
- Chaffers
- Chaver
- Chafor
- Chaffery
- Cheavers
- Cheever
- Cheevers
- Cheffers
- Chever
- Chevere
- Chevers
- Chievers
- Schaeffer
- Schafer
- Schafers
- Schaffer
- Schaffert
- Schaver
- Schefer
- Scheffer
- Schiefer
- Schieffer
- Schiever
- Shaefer
- Shaeffer
- Shafar
- Shafeer
- Shafer
- Shaffer
- Shaffers
- Shaffery
- Shafier
- Shafir
- Shahfar
- Shaver
- Sheaffer
- Sheaver
- Shefer
- Sheffer
- Shepher
- Shever
- Shevers
- Chevery
- Schaeffler
- Schaeper
- Schafe
- Schafferius
- Schufer
- Shafee
- Shaffir
- Shchiever
- Shefferd
- Xhaferi
- Chaffee
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.