Surname Schaeffner - Meaning and Origin
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Schaeffner: What does the surname Schaeffner mean?
The last name Schaeffner is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "schaffner," which means "porter" or "conductor." The name is occupational, originally given to someone who worked in such a role, such as a porter who carried goods or a train conductor. The Schaeffner surname can be found in several countries with German-speaking populations, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
In Germany, the name has been prominent in the Rhineland region and the city of Cologne for centuries. Records of the Schaeffner family date as far back as 1395, when one Schaffner von Wallfischbach was mentioned in a document. The family became more prominent in the Middle Ages when influential and wealthy members of the Schaeffner family held various civic roles, including prominent associations with the Church.
The Schaeffner surname is also found in American records, as many members of the family relocated to the US in the nineteenth century. During the Civil War, a Union soldier by the name of William Schaeffner is recorded in the 160th Ohio Infantry Regiment. In the modern day, Schaeffner descendants are found in many countries spread across the world.
Order DNA origin analysisSchaeffner: Where does the name Schaeffner come from?
The last name Schaeffner is most common today in Germany and Austria, with a particularly high concentration in the former East German states. Its occurrence in the United States and the UK is much lower.
The name Schaeffner is believed to have originated as an occupational name for a shopkeeper, one who sold and shopped out goods. It can be traced as far back as the late 18th century, when the Schaeffner family is first referenced in records from East Prussia. During and after World War II, many German families dispersed around the world, including Schaeffner families, which may explain its low concentrations in other countries like the US and UK today.
German records show the name began to really spread around the middle of the 19th century. It is particularly common in Schleswig-Holstein, where it is found with the highest frequency, representing about 1 in every 400 people there today.
So while the name Schaeffner has a history stretching back centuries, it can largely be found concentrated in its place of origin: Germany and Austria.
Variations of the surname Schaeffner
The surname Schaeffner is of German origin and can be represented in a variety of ways. It is generally spelled Schaefner, Schäfner, Schaffenauer, Schaefenauer and Schaefenaur.
Similar to other surnames of German origin, Schaeffner can also vary depending on the region in which it is found. For example, in the state of Baden-Württemberg, the surname may appear as Scheffner, Schoffner, or Schiffner. Likewise, other spelling variants such as Shaeffner or Shaeffer may be found in the state of Schleswig-Holstein.
Variants of the name that cross regional borders are Schaeffner, Schäffner and Schafner, all of which incorporate a double 'f' in place of the umlaut 'ä'. This is a typical example of simplifying spelling for immigrants to the United States and Great Britain, where the umlaut is not found.
Surnames of similar origin to Schaeffner include Schaffer(er), Shaffer(er), Schaffner, Schofner, Schöffner, and Schöpfner. Each one of these names is considered to be of German origin, and many were established as American surnames in the US by the mid-1800s.
Finally, Schaeffner is also used as a nickname for the popular German surname Schaeffer, which originates from the German word for 'shepherd' and can be traced back to the late-medieval period. Schaeffer itself has various spelling variations, including Schaefer, Schäfer, Schäffer, and Schafer.
Famous people with the name Schaeffner
- Karl Eduard Schaeffner (1892–1975): German composer, pianist, organist, and music educator.
- Jan Schaeffner (born 1953): Polish stage actor, film actor, theatre director, and playwright.
- Richard Schaeffner (born 1922): Swiss scientist and soil physicist.
- Gottfried Schaeffner (1903–1965): German physician and philologist.
- Hermann Schaeffner (1885–1961): German film director, screenwriter, and actor.
- Erhard Schaeffner (1880–1948): German architect who created the modernist style known as the "Schaeffner School".
- Michael Schaeffner (born 1969): German journalist, photographer, filmmaker, and author.
- Jann Schaeffner (born 1946): German-American economist and professor at Yale University.
- Friedrich Schaeffner (1827–1902): German industrialist and politician.
- Amandus Schaeffner (1777–1836): Austrian painter.