Surname Schaefler - Meaning and Origin
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Schaefler: What does the surname Schaefler mean?
The surname Schaefler is of German origin. It is an occupational surname derived from the German word “Schäfer” which means “shepherd”. It was most likely given to someone who kept and watched flocks of sheep. Schaefler was also a title used in the Middle Ages for someone who was an overseer of lands for a nobleman.
During the late Medieval and Early Modern period, the surname became hereditary, and began to be used to distinguish individuals from one another. It typically was used to distinguish second and third sons of German nobility and became associated with people of high status.
Today, those bearing the Schaefler surname can trace their personal and family history back to the Middle Ages. It is a fairly uncommon name, and can mostly be found in parts of southern Germany. The surname is also sometimes found in countries that were home to immigrants from Germany, such as the United States, Australia, Brazil, and Canada.
Order DNA origin analysisSchaefler: Where does the name Schaefler come from?
The last name Schaefler is a rare and unique surname that has its roots in Germany. It is most commonly found today in parts of central and eastern Europe, though it is also sometimes encountered in English-speaking parts of the world. The name has its earliest known recorded origin in Germany, but it has spread far and wide since then.
In Germany, the name is found predominantly in the regions of Bavaria, Hesse, and Saxony-Anhalt. Outside of Germany, it can be found scattered across Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. There is also a record of the name in South Africa, having been carried there by German immigrants.
In countries like England, the United States, and Canada, the last name appears to have been carried over from German-speaking settlers or persons of German descent. It is particularly common in the US, where it occurs most frequently in Texas, Wisconsin, California, and the Midwest region.
There is no single place where the name is most commonly found today, but with its roots in Germany, it is safe to assume that Europe has been its traditional centre of origin. The name may have branched out from there to all corners of the world, but the fact of the matter is that this unique surname is wonderfully spread across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and a host of other countries.
Variations of the surname Schaefler
The surname Schaefler is an old German occupational surname, deriving from the word "Schäfer," which translates to mean shepherd. It is most commonly recorded in the German states of Bavaria, Hesse, and Rhineland-Palatinate.
Variants of the name Schaefler include Schaefler, Schaeffler, Schäfler, Schaefle, Schäfle, Schaefeli, Schafeli, Schaffeli, Schaeffeli, and Schaffler.
Surnames with the same origin as Schaefler includes Schafer, Schaeffer, Schaffer, Schaffrer, Schauer, Schauerle, Schaul, Schauwacker, Schawacker, Schowacker, Schowakker, Schuchert, Schuckert, and Schult.
The spelling of Schaefler can vary greatly depending on the language. In German, it is spelled "Schäfler" while in Dutch and Afrikaans, it is spelled “Schawler” or “Schalwer”. In other European countries, it is sometimes spelled "Schaffler". The surname is found with and without a double f in some countries, such as Schäfler and Schaffe.
Overall, the surname Schaefler is an old German occupational surname that has been recorded in various languages and countries around the world. Its variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin are evidence of its long-standing legacy.
Famous people with the name Schaefler
- Michael Schaefler: actor and host of German television shows
- Christine Schaefler: Austrian alpine skier
- Diana Schaefler: Romanian journalist and editor-in-chief at The Diplomat-Bucharest
- Gabriel-Mira Schaefler: 19th and 20th century Austrian lawyer and politician
- Walther Schaefler: German modern pentathlete and Olympic participant
- Frank Schaefler: German video game designer
- Johann Schaefler: 16th century Swiss theologian and astrologer
- Alexander Schaefler: 18th century German historian
- Albin Schaefler: 19th century Italian painter
- Ernst Schaefler: Austrian inventor, mechanical engineer, and industrialist