Surname Schafhirt - Meaning and Origin
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Schafhirt: What does the surname Schafhirt mean?
The last name Schafhirt is of German origin and is derived from two words: Schaf (sheep) and Hirte (shepherd). The literal translation of Schafhirt is "shepherd of the sheep".
The name likely originated to designate individuals who worked as shepherds of sheep for a living. In the Middle Ages, shepherds were a respected profession, since sheep were an important food source during that time. Thus, surnames such as Schafhirt were formed to identify those with a particular occupation.
In modern times the name continues to be associated with the occupation of shepherding. It is also sometimes used to represent individuals who are considered compassionate or kind-hearted towards others. The name can be seen as an honorable reminder of a person's ancestors who were responsible for caring for the flock.
Schafhirt is still quite a common name in Germany. As of 2015, it was the 1,835th most commonly used surname in Germany. There is even a registered coat of arms in Germany for the Schafhirt family. This coat of arms is made up of a shield with a black sheep and a shepherd's crook. This design is a symbol that reflects the origin of the name.
Order DNA origin analysisSchafhirt: Where does the name Schafhirt come from?
The last name Schafhirt is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today, which is where it originated from. It is an occupational name referring to a "shepherd". According to genealogical records, the earliest usage of this surname dates back to the early 13th century.
It is generally concentrated in the north-eastern parts of Germany, particularly in the states of Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia. Furthermore, it is found in some Austrian states such as Lower Austria, Burgenland, and Styria.
The name Schafhirt can also be found in other parts of the world today, particularly in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries in Europe. However, these are probably cases of emigrants descended from Schafhirts originally from Germany and Austria.
Due to its long history and multiple locations, it's difficult to pinpoint exactly how many people with the surname Schafhirt exist in the world today. However, records indicate that it is not a rare name.
Variations of the surname Schafhirt
The German surname Schafhirt is also known by the variants Schafheerdt, Schaffherdt, Schafhert, and Schafhort. The surname Schafhirt is derived from the Old High German word 'sheferde' which means 'shepherd'. During the Middle Ages, the name was common amongst shepherds, so the name is an occupational name. It is also common amongst the Mennonites in Pennsylvania, whose forebears immigrated from southwestern Germany in the 18th century.
In addition, the name can also be spelled as Schaafheerd, Schaefherd, Schaefhirt, Schaefhort, Schaefhurd, Schaffherd, Schaffherdt, Schaffhurd, Schafhirt, Schafhord, Schafhordt, Schafhort, Schaafheerdt, Schaafheerd, Schaferer, Schaferheerd, Schafherd, Schafhert, Schaffhert, and Schaaffherd. Furthermore, the variant Schaffer is derived from the same root, but refers to someone who served a 'schafferer', or a caretaker for horses.
Variations of the surname are spread throughout Europe, in countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands but also in the United States and Canada. These were mainly brought by German immigrants to North America who adopted surnames anglicized from the original spelling. Some surnames that have evolved from Schafhirt include Schaeffer, Shaffer, and Shaffer.
Famous people with the name Schafhirt
- Lore Schafhirt: German actor
- Hedy Schafhirt: Israeli dancer
- Brigitte Schafhirt: Austrian broadcaster
- Laura Schafhirt: Brazilian photographer
- Alexandre Schafhirt: Brazilian sculptor
- Josef Schafhirt: Austrian composer
- Sonja Schäfhirt: Swiss journalist
- Otto Schafhirt: German broadcaster
- Gisela Schafhirt: German painter
- Albert Schafhirt: German politician