Surname Schaeferlein - Meaning and Origin
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Schaeferlein: What does the surname Schaeferlein mean?
The last name Schaeferlein is of German origin and is derived from the occupational surname Schafer, which, in turn, derives from the Middle High German word “schaf” meaning “sheep”. Therefore, Schaeferlein likely originated as an occupational surname given to individuals who tended to sheep. Alternatively, the name may have been given to individuals who were of a higher class such as a Priest, Royal or Noble.
Schaeferlein is likely a diminutive form of the word Schafer, which means that the last name could have been given to someone of humble or not so important status. For example, it could have been given to a shepherd or meadow keeper living in a small village. The -lein suffix is often associated with the word “little one”, so the name could indicate someone of petite stature.
Schaeferlein is found particularly in Germany, especially in Bavaria, Brandenburg, and Saxony. In the U.S., it is mainly found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, most likely due to German immigrants settling in these states in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The literal meaning of Schaeferlein is “little sheep herder”, although the name could have been adopted to reflect a higher standing in some cases.
Order DNA origin analysisSchaeferlein: Where does the name Schaeferlein come from?
The last name Schaeferlein is most commonly found in Germany today. It is derived from the German word schäfer, meaning “shepherd” or “sheepherder." The name Schaeferlein is also seen as Schaeflein, Schäflein or Schäfferlein, and is present all across the German-speaking world.
In Germany, the name is quite widespread, as evidenced by a 2017 genealogical study of the country's names. It is most heavily concentrated in the states of Bavaria and Saxony, as well as the cities of Berlin and Leipzig. In Bavaria, the surname is also among the Top 20 most common last names in the country.
In the United States, the name is found mainly among those of German-American descent. The states of Pennsylvania and Ohio were identified as having the most Schaeferleins in 2010. The Schaeferlein name is also present in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, all of which have a substantial German presence.
Although the Schaeferlein surname is best known for its German origins, some families have changed their name to mean “shepherd” in other countries and languages. In Italian, it is spelled Schiavone, while in the Spanish-speaking world it is either known as Chavero or Esperone.
Variations of the surname Schaeferlein
The surname Schaeferlein is a German and mid-European surname first found in Austria and Germany, although it is now present across many different countries. The surname has many different variants depending on the region in which it is found, such as Schafer, Schaeffer, Schaffer, Schäfer, Shaffer, Shaeffer, Sheaffer, Scheifer, Scheffer, and Scheper. The spelling is typically determined by the language of the country in which the surname originates, as well as how standard literacy processes were previously developed in the area.
The most common variant of Schaeferlein is Schäfer, from the Middle High German ‘Schafhir’, meaning ‘shepherd’. This is probably how the surname originated, as many of the early Schaeferlein families were shepherds. The variants emanating from Schäfer are most commonly found in countries where the German language is spoken, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
In English-speaking countries, the spelling tends to change more significantly to Shaeffer or Shaffer. Variants of the English spelling include Sheaffer, Sheffer, Shefer, Scheffer, Scheffer, and Scheifer. This is due to local pronunciation and changes related to immigration. As immigration to the USA, UK, and other countries continued, the spelling of the surname began to change to fit with its new linguistic environment.
The last variant of Schaeferlein is Scheper. This variant is most commonly found in the Netherlands, where the Flemish language has no distinct ä or ff sound. As a result, the spelling became blended longer time, and eventually changed to Scheper as a result of the pronounced version of the surname.
Famous people with the name Schaeferlein
- Abigail Schaeferlein: an American film and television actress.
- Daunte Schaeferlein: an American professional ice hockey defenseman.
- Emmanuel Schaeferlein: a German composer and conductor.
- Hans Schaeferlein: a former East German Olympic swimmer.
- Julia Schaeferlein: a German actress.
- Luca Schaeferlein: a German professional soccer player.
- Michael Schaeferlein: a German football manager and former footballer.
- Paul Schaeferlein: a German soldier during World War II.
- Rainer Schaeferlein: a German professional football coach and manager.
- Stephen Schaeferlein: an American musician, songwriter, and producer.