Surname Schaefle - Meaning and Origin
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Schaefle: What does the surname Schaefle mean?
The last name Schaefle is a German surname of a long-established noble family from what is now Germany. The root of this name is a word for ‘shoemaker’ and the first known spelling of the name, in 1245, was ‘Schäffel’.
The first Schaefle family members likely lived in Bavaria and, as shoemakers, the family was known to be talented artisans. Their trade spread across Europe, leading to the founding of various branches and locations of the family.
There is also a trace to the old German word ‘Gebel’, meaning 'helm'. It is possible that members of the Schaefle family during the Middle Ages may have traded the making of armorial bearings and helms as well as shoes.
Today, it is common to find the last name spelled Schaefle or Schaeffle and it is widely spread across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
While the Schaefle family is a proud one that is silent about its origin and history, it is undeniable that its members have been remarkable contributors to society and have spread their skill and influence wherever they have lived or travelled.
Order DNA origin analysisSchaefle: Where does the name Schaefle come from?
The last name Schaefle is commonly seen throughout Germany today. It's believed to have originated in the northwest part of the country, in an area known as Bavaria or Franconia, and it is still prevalent there. The name is also found in other countries, especially in Europe, Canada, the United States, and Australia.
In Germany, the most common spelling of Schaefle is the original spelling and it is most often found in the Bavarian-Franconian region. This includes the cities of Munich, Nuremberg, Passau, Augsburg, Fürth, and Bamberg. Other spellings of Schaefle, like Schaefler, Schäfler, Schäffler, and Schäflinger are also common in Germany.
In the United States, many people with the last name Schaefle have emigrated from Germany over the years. It is primarily found in the Midwest and along the East Coast, depending on the exact origin of the immigrant’s family. The spelling of the last name may have also changed slightly with migration from Germany to America.
Canada has also seen an influx of immigrants from Germany with the last name Schaefle over the years. The spelling and pronunciation of the name will most likely be similar to the German spelling and pronunciation.
In Australia, the spelling and pronunciation of Schaefle is similar to the German spelling and pronuncation and is most commonly found throughout the eastern coastal regions.
Overall, the last name Schaefle is still quite common in Germany, the United States, Canada, and Australia today.
Variations of the surname Schaefle
Schaefle is a German surname with several variant spellings and variants. The most common spellings are Schaefle, Schaeffle, and Schaeffler. Other variations of the name include Shaeffel, Schaihl, Shaeffler, Schaadle, Schale, Schaley, Schalie, Shalle, Shael, Shaler, Scholl, and Shool. The surname is derived from the Middle High German word for “sheep” or “shepherd”.
The name Schaefle is derived from a Middle High German word for shepherd, and this surname was likely taken by early German settlers to denote their occupation or station in life. Over time, the spelling of the name has changed and adapted, and several of the variations mentioned above are found in different regions.
The variant spellings of the surname Schaefle are often found in the Germanic countries of the United States, Canada, and Germany. In the United States, the variations Shaefle, Shaeffel, Schaeffle, Schaadle, Schale, Schaley, Schalie, Shalle, Shael, Shaler, Scholl, and Shool are all found. In Canada, the surnames Schaeffle, Shale, and Schalie are most common, while in Germany, the surname Schaeffler is the most common.
Surnames of German origin also share a common root including, locations, occupations, and regional characteristics, which vary regionally. For example, the surname Schaefle is associated with sheep herding in some regions, while in other regions, the same surname can be associated with quarrying or stonecutting.
The option to spell the surname differently has been a part of the history of the name, with different spellings being influenced by regional dialect variations, migrations, and the desire to “harden”, “soften”, or otherwise alter a vowel.
In all cases, the variations of the Schaefle surname share a common root and are related in terms of origin.
Famous people with the name Schaefle
- Erik Schaefle: Erik Schaefle is a German professional basketball player who currently plays for the French League team SIG Strasbourg.
- Alison Schaefle: Alison Schaefle is an American figure skater. She is the 2016 US Intermediate Ladies Champion and placed 4th at the 2020 US Junior Ladies Figure Skating Championships.
- David Schaefle: David Schaefle is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is known for his smooth vocals and for blending multiple genres together in his music.
- Markus Schaefle: Markus Schaefle is a German soccer player who plays for FC Augsburg in the German Bundesliga.
- Kevin Schaefle: Kevin Schaefle is an American motocross racer. He is currently competing in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship.
- Hannah Schaefle: Hannah Schaefle is a German cross-country skier. She won the bronze medal at the 2018 World Junior Championships in Poland.
- Wilhelm Schaefle: Wilhelm Schaefle was an Austrian physicist who is probably best known for his research into thermodynamics.
- Andreas Schaefle: Andreas Schaefle is a German Olympic freestyle skier who has competed in multiple disciplines including moguls, aerials and dual moguls.
- Natascha Schaefle: Natascha Schaefle is a German beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Germany in 2014.
- Wilma Schaefle: Wilma Schaefle is an Austrian aerobics athlete who competed in the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney.