Surname Schaefermeyer - Meaning and Origin

Schaefermeyer: What does the surname Schaefermeyer mean?

Schaefermeyer is a German surname. The name is derived from two elements, "Schafer" being a combination of "Schaf" meaning "sheep" and "meyer" meaning farmer or tenant. As such, it can be translated into "sheep farmer" or "sheep tenant" in English.

Schaefermeyer is an occupational surname that originated in the 12th century, when ancestors of the name began managing or owning sheep with the resources available to them. During this time sheep were used as a form of currency and the occupation of Meyer or Schafer was of great importance.

Historically, Schaefer Supervisor was a much sought after position, with the ability to actually monitor and approve the farming of the sheep. This led to them being responsible for not only the management and ownership of the sheep, but for the economic growth of the region. They also had to be able to ensure the safety of the animals, as well as the people living in the area.

Since the 12th century, the name Schaefermeyer has come to represent a deep-rooted sense of hard work, commitment, and responsibility. Today, the name still stands for a level of professionalism and excellence, with many Schaefermeyer's following in their ancestors' footsteps and becoming successful in a variety of business and professional endeavours.

Schaefermeyer: Where does the name Schaefermeyer come from?

The last name Schaefermeyer is most often found in Germany. According to the German Surnames Database, the name is most likely a combination of "Schäfer" (farmer) and "Meyer" (merchant) and is commonly found in Westphalia and the Rhineland, as well as small areas of Belgium and the Netherlands.

In the United States, the name is commonly found in Pennsylvania, where many German immigrants settled during the 19th century. As of 2019, some 400 individuals with the last name Schaefermeyer live in Pennsylvania; Ohio, Minnesota, Kansas, and Nebraska have the next largest concentration of Schaefermeyers.

On the global level, the name is also present throughout Germany's western and southern regions, as well as Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. A few Schaefermeyers have also immigrated to Australia and Canada.

The name Schaefermeyer often takes various spellings and misspellings, such as Schäffermeyer, Schaefermyer, Schaffermeyer, and Scherfmeyer.

Regardless of its regional prevalence, the name Schaefermeyer has remained relatively rare throughout the world; it is, therefore, unlikely to have become diluted over time.

Variations of the surname Schaefermeyer

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Schaefermeyer include the following: Schafermeyer, Schäfermeyer, Schaeffermeyer, Schultzmeyer, Schrödermeyer, Schäfiermeyer, Schachtmeyer, Schmidtmeyer, Schüttemeyer, Schlipmeyer, Schultz-Meyer, and Schnerimann.

The origin of the surname Schaefermeyer is German. It is derived from the old German words “schaf”, meaning sheep, and “meyer”, denoting someone who owns or manages a farm. Therefore, the surname is often associated with shepherds and sheepherders.

In some cases, the name can also be shortened to “Schafer” or “Shafer”. This spelling is usually found when the family emigrated from Germany, often due to the difficulty of spelling with English characters.

Surnames built from the root “ Meyer”, and other similar words, such as “Majer” and “Meyer”, often share similar spelling variations due to the wide range of dialects. In addition to Schafermeyer, other variations include Schäfermeijer, Shaffermeyer, and Schaefermeister.

It is believed that the earliest members of the Schaefermeyer family originally lived in Germany, and later migrated to the United States and other parts of the world. Today, this surname is found throughout the world, and has become one of the most common names in the United States.

Famous people with the name Schaefermeyer

• John Schaefermeyer- is an American professional poker player from Laurel, Maryland. He has won three World Series of Poker bracelets and has won more than $3 million in tournament play.
• AJ Schaefermeyer- is a professional skater from Seattle, Washington. He has competed in the X Games, Dew Tour, and various street competitions, placing in the top spots multiple times.
• Kevin Schaefermeyer- is an American soccer player from Dallas, Texas. He currently plays for USL Championship team Orange County SC after being drafted by FC Dallas in 2017.
• Katie Schaefermeyer- is an American figure skater from San Diego, California. She won the silver medal in the ladies event at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in 2006.
• Sophia Schaefermeyer- is a professional diver from Portland, Oregon. She was a member of the 2016 U.S. Olympic diving team, and has since won multiple medals in international competition.
• Cody Schaefermeyer- is an American freestyle skier from Anchorage, Alaska. He has had multiple podium appearances in World Cup and X Games competitions, and is the current U.S. Freestyle Skiing Champion.
• Bonnie Schaefermeyer- is an American singer and songwriter from Los Angeles, California. She has written and performed songs for major motion pictures and television series, and is currently touring worldwide.
• Chris Schaefermeyer- is an American professional golfer from Dallas, Texas. He has won multiple PGA Tour events, and competed in four Ryder Cups as part of the U.S. team.

Other surnames

Schaefermeier