SHAFFER
Shaffer
Origin and Meaning
Shaffer is a surname of English origin, derived from the Old English word "sceofere" or "sceapere", which means a sheep-shearer or a wool-cutter. The name likely originated as an occupational surname for someone who worked in the wool industry.
Distribution and Frequency
The surname Shaffer is not as common in the United Kingdom as it is in other English-speaking countries such as the United States and Canada. It is more frequently found in areas such as Lancashire and Yorkshire, with some concentrations in Scotland and Wales.
Notable Individuals
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Peter Shaffer (1926-2016): A renowned British playwright and screenwriter known for works such as "Equus" and "Amadeus", for which he won multiple Tony and Academy Awards.
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Daryl Shaffer: An English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for various clubs in the 1970s and 1980s.
Coat of Arms
The Shaffer family crest features a shield with symbols representing sheep-shearing or wool-cutting, reflecting the occupational origins of the name.
Genealogy and Family History
The Shaffer surname has been traced back several centuries, with records showing its presence in medieval England. Many individuals bearing the name have contributed to various fields, such as the arts, sports, and business.
Variants and Derivatives
Variants of the surname Shaffer include Shaefer, Schaefer, and Sheaffer, each reflecting different historical spellings and regional pronunciations.
In conclusion, the surname Shaffer holds a rich history linked to the wool industry in England and has produced notable figures in various fields, contributing to the cultural tapestry of the British Isles.
There are approximately 238 people named Shaffer in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around four in a million people in Britain are named Shaffer.
Religion of origin: Jewish
Language of origin: Hebrew
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Anthony
- Caleb
- Daniel
- David
- Hugh
- James
- Marc
- Mark
- Michael
- Richard
- Robert
Female
- Beatrice
- Carly
- Carolyn
- Dahlia
- Doreen
- Emma
- Jeanette
- Jennifer
- Karen
- Lucy
- Pamela
- Pauline
- Rebecca
- Susan
- Yvonne
Similar and related surnames
- Chaffer
- Chafer
- Chavers
- Chaffers
- Chaffery
- Chafor
- Chauffier
- Chaufour
- Chauviere
- Chavare
- Chavarri
- Chavarria
- Chavarro
- Chaver
- Chaverri
- Cheever
- Cheffers
- Chever
- Chevere
- Cheverie
- Chevreau
- Chevuru
- Chiver
- Choffer
- Chuffer
- Safer
- Saffer
- Saffier
- Schaefer
- Schaeffer
- Schafer
- Schafers
- Schaffer
- Schafferius
- Schaffert
- Schaver
- Schiefer
- Schieffer
- Schiever
- Shaefer
- Shaeffer
- Shafar
- Shafee
- Shafeer
- Shafei
- Shafer
- Shaff
- Shafferman
- Shaffers
- Shaffert
- Shaffery
- Shaffle
- Shaffler
- Shaffner
- Shafford
- Shaffrey
- Shafier
- Shafir
- Shaford
- Shahfar
- Shaver
- Shawver
- Shchiever
- Sheaffer
- Sheaver
- Shefer
- Sheffer
- Shefferd
- Shepher
- Shever
- Shevers
- Shiffer
- Shiver
- Shover
- Shuffer
- Swaffer
- Xhaferi
- Xhaferri
- Shaffir
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.