Surname Schaefers - Meaning and Origin
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Schaefers: What does the surname Schaefers mean?
The last name Schaefers is believed to be of German origin and derived from the word Schäfer, which means ‘shepherd.’ According to one theory, Schaefers may have developed as a nickname for a shepherd or occupation-based surname. Other theories suggest that it may have developed from the personal name Schäfer, or a place name derived from the same root.
The first recorded person bearing the Schaefers name is believed to have been Heinrich Schäfer, who immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1762. Since then, the Schaefers surname has spread to many countries around the world.
Today, Schaefers is considered to be one of the most common German surnames. It is a common sight in German-speaking communities and is also widespread in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Overall, the Schaefers surname is associated with a pastoral lifestyle and traditional German culture. It has come to represent humility, diligence, and hard work, qualities that are still held in high esteem in many countries around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisSchaefers: Where does the name Schaefers come from?
The last name Schaefers can be found in many countries around the world, often associated with the German language. In the United States, Schaefers is a common name in a variety of states such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Illinois. According to the United States Census Bureau, the surname is the 524th most common surname in the United States, with an estimated 8,392 families with the name. It is also one of the most common surnames in Canada, with the 2016 Canadian Census reporting 4,628 people with the Schaefers surname.
In Europe, it is a fairly common name, particularly in Germany, where it is ranked the 100th most common surname in the country. Other countries where it can be found include the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg. Additionally, Schaefers is a popular surname in Brazil due to German immigration in the 19th century.
The surname itself is derived from the German words ‘schäfer’ and ‘schäferin’, meaning shepherd. It is believed to have originally been used as an occupational surname to describe shepherds, but over time the name spread and became associated with families who moved around and settled in different countries.
Variations of the surname Schaefers
The surname Schaefers is of German origin and can be spelled in many different ways. One of the most common spellings of the name is Schäfer, although it can also be written as Schaeffer, Schaffer, Shaffer, Schiffer, Shyfer, Schaefer, and Schöffer. It is often found in combination with other names, such as von Schäfer or di Schäfer. These combinations are founded in German language tradition, which classifies a family name as a compound when a family is of noble status.
The surname Schaefers is derived from the German word "schäfer" or "shepherd," and indicates a family history associated with herding sheep. This is not surprising, given that pastoralism was historically a major source of income in German-speaking countries.
Varianting of the name includes Shaeffer, Schaeffer, Shaffer, Sheffer, Schiffer, Shyfer, Schaefer, Schäfer, Shaffer, Shefler, Schaeffer, Scheffer, Sheffner, Schaffer, and many others.
Variants of Schaefers that are unique to specific countries include Schaffer in Austria, Schoefers in The Netherlands, Von Schäfer in Germany, and De Schäfer in France.
The surname is found in various combinations of surnames in different countries, as surnames are often passed down through generations. Examples of the different combinations found outside of Germany are Schaffer in Austria, de Schäfer in France, and Schoefers in The Netherlands.
Finally, the surname is also linked to various nicknames and professional titles, such as Scheffner (tailor), Shaffner (tailor) and Schafmeister (shepherd), which were used to distinguish families with the same name.
Famous people with the name Schaefers
- Jaron Schaefers: an American film and television actor, best known for his roles in movies such as War of the Worlds and All the Boys Love Mandy Lane.
- Taylor Schaefers: an American professional dancer and singer, best known for appearing on the ninth season of the American television series So You Think You Can Dance.
- George Schaefers: an American football player who was active in the 1950s.
- Mikel Schaefers: an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour.
- Derrick Schaefers: an American football player who currently plays for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.
- Thomas Schaefers: a German composer and musician, best known for his film scores for German films.
- Jason Schaefers: an American soccer player who currently plays for Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy.
- Justin Schaefers: an American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
- Joseph Schaefers: an American entrepreneur who serves as the CEO and co-founder of the pet food delivery service Paw Brothers.
- Robert Schaefers: an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Texas Legends of the NBA G League.