Surname Schaeflein - Meaning and Origin

Schaeflein: What does the surname Schaeflein mean?

The last name Schaeflein is a German surname with the meaning of “small shoemaker". The name originates from the Middle High German word "schäffelin" which means shoemaker, derived from the Old High German word “scaflîn". The name is most commonly found in the Germanic region, and historically the name Schaeflein would have described an individual who was most likely a professional craftsman who made and repaired shoes.

In some cases, the surname can be found spelt differently such as Shefley, Schaefly or Schefflin, and can also be linked to the occupation of “tanner”. In old German, “Schaefer” was used to refer to someone who dealt with animal skins by curing or tanning them.

Today, the surname Schaeflein is widely dispersed in every corner of the planet. The name is in fact one of the top most common surnames in countries such as Brazil, Germany, Austria, and South Africa. As generations go by and the world progresses, the name Schaeflein will continue to be passed down and remembered in many families.

Schaeflein: Where does the name Schaeflein come from?

The last name Schaeflein is most common in Germany today. According to Ancestry.com, Schaeflein, sometimes spelled Schäflein or Schäflein, is a German surname derived from an occupational name for a shepherd or sheep owner.

Today, Schaeflein is one of the five most common surnames in Germany, with approximately 12,500 people sharing it. Most of these Schaefleins live in Germany, though there are some in Austria and other parts of the world as well.

A specific concentration of Schaefleins is found in the Bavarian district of Swabia, especially around the city of Nuremberg. Records show that Schaeflein families have lived there since at least the 16th century.

When researching this surname, it’s important to note that some variants of the spelling (like Schäflein and Schäflein) morphed into different surnames altogether, like Schäfer and Schäffer. Thus, even if Schaeflein is not found in a genealogy tree, it doesn’t necessarily mean that person doesn’t have German ancestry.

In addition to Germany, many more Schaeflein families can be found in American cities with large German populations, such as New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In fact, the United States is home to more than 1,000 Schaeflein families, most of whom immigrated to the country prior to the mid-20th century.

Variations of the surname Schaeflein

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Schaeflein are Schäflein, Schaefflein, Schäfflin, Schäffele, Shaeffelin,Shaeflein, Schaefelin, Schaflein, Schafelein, Shäfelin, Shäfflin, and Schaffele.

The surname Schaeflein is thought to be of German origin. It is thought that the name is derived from a nickname or term of endearment. It could be related to the German word schaf, which means ‘sheep’. During the Middle Ages, names were often derived from animals. So, people with this surname may have been associated with sheep in some way, either as shepherds or by being involved in the wool trade.

The spelling of the surname changed over time and according to the country where the family was living. For example, in some areas of Europe the name was spelled Schäflein, whereas in other areas it was spelled Schaeflein. In some cases the spelling changed over several generations as the family moved from one country to another, even between German-speaking countries.

Variation in the spelling of the surname was not limited to the German language. In other languages, such as French, the name could be found spelled as Schaefflein or Shaeffelin. In some areas the spelling became simplified and the name was written as Schaflein or Schafelein. Even in English, the surname could be found spelled as Shäfelin or Shäfflin.

In each language and region, the downward trend in spelling complexity meant that the original form of the surname, Schaeflein, became simplified over time. Today, the surname is still found in a range of spellings and variations, including Schäflein, Schaefflein, Schäfflin, and Schaffele.

Famous people with the name Schaeflein

• Joel Schaeflein: American television producer
• Don Schaeflein: former American middleweight boxer
• Matthias Schaeflein: German actor and theatre director
• Edith Schaeflein: Hungarian stage and film actress
• André Schaeflein: German chess master
• Rolf Schaeflein: German journalist and documentary filmmaker
• Sascha Schaeflein: German handball player
• Stephen Schaeflein: founder of the world renowned Schaeflein Guitar Approach
• Lawrence J. Schaeflein: professional artist, designer, illustrator, and teacher
• Richard Schaeflein: American fighter pilot in World War II
• Erik Schaeflein: American film producer and entertainment executive
• Michael Schaeflein: German retired football player
• Hans Schaeflein: Swiss singer, composer, and choral conductor
• Theodore Schaeflein: American-born French Expressionist painter
• Frederick Schaeflein: United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the Navy Cross
• Andrea Schaeflein: German archivist
• Lothar Schaeflein: German civil engineer and historian
• Heinz Schaeflein: German journalist, writer, poet, and playwright

Other surnames

SchaefleSchaefler