Surname Schöffler - Meaning and Origin
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Schöffler: What does the surname Schöffler mean?
The German last name Schöffler is derived from the Middle High German word 'schōffel', which was a type of shovel or spade used to dig with. It was likely an occupational name given to someone who was a spade maker or used spades in some way. Over time the spelling of Schöffler has evolved to sound more modern, while still maintaining the original meaning.
The name often appears as Schaeffer in some parts of Germany, and is also found in other countries, such as Austria and Switzerland. It is also derived from the Schoffeler or Schoepflern, which is a type of tiller used to provide depth to shallow lakes for fishing.
The Schöffler surname is likely derived from an occupation or tool that was important in communities. The name suggests that the original bearer of it had a valuable craft or skill that were shared and depended on at a specific time in history.
The Schöffler surname is still around today and is common in many areas. There are a variety of variants including Schöffler, Schöpfler, Schöppler, Schöppner, and Schöpfer. Regardless of the spelling, it likely symbolizes the heritage of generous craftsmen that came before us.
Order DNA origin analysisSchöffler: Where does the name Schöffler come from?
The last name Schöffler is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland today. In Germany, the Schöffler surname is found primarily in Bavaria and Hesse. The Schöffler family is written in the records of the city of Nuremberg since the 16th century, and Schöffler is still fairly common there today. It can also be found in smaller concentrations of family members scattered throughout Germany.
In Austria, the surname Schöffler is primarily found in the Tyrol region of western Austria. This is likely due to the 13th-century Counts of Tyrol, who adopted the Schöffler name as part of their Germanic background. This noble line of Schöfflers had influence in politics and sports.
In Switzerland, the surname Schöffler has spread beyond its original Tyrol home as well as some other areas of Austria and Germany. Families of this name also have a strong presence in some of Switzerland's largest cities, including Zurich and Geneva.
Overall, the Schöffler name is very common today, across all of Germanic speaking Europe. In parts of the world where German language or culture is prevalent, people bearing this last name can be found. This is especially true of countries in Europe that have strong ties to Germanic culture and have adopted the Schöffler surname through migration and marriage.
Variations of the surname Schöffler
The German surname Schöffler (also spelled Schoeffler, Schoeffler, Schöfler, Schoffler, Schoffler, Schoefler, Schoefler, Schoefeler, Schoffeler, Schoffeler, Schoffele, Schoffele, Schoffle, Schoffle, Schöffela, Schöffela, and Schöffele) is derived from the Old High German word 'schōfōlari' meaning 'shepherd.' The first recorded spelled variant of this surname appears in the records of the city of Freiberg, Saxony, in 1393 and over the years, the surname continued to take on various spellings in various parts of Germany.
In the 19th century, some families with this surname took on variants of the name such as Schüffer, Schiefer, Schaffer, Schaeffer, Schaefer, Schäffer, Schaffter, Schafeler, Schafler, Schäffler, Schieffer, and Schieffler. With the emigration of Germans throughout Europe, the variants spread as well and could be found in Hungary, Austria, France, Switzerland, Albania, and the United States.
In the United States, the variants of this surname have been reduced to Schöffler, Schoeffler, Schofler, Schoffler, and Schoefler. These surname variants are found mainly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, and New York.
Overall, the surname Schöffler has a long and rich history, spanning over seven centuries. It has taken many forms and is found among many different countries, from Germany to the United States, and even Albania. The originating German meaning of the name, 'shepherd,' reminds us of the family's roots and dedication to the shepherd's life.
Famous people with the name Schöffler
- Julien Schöffler: French footballer who plays for Ligue 1 club Lille.
- Christian Schöffler: German sculptor known for his work in 19th century Prussia.
- Emanuel Schöffler- French composer born in Munich who collaborated on operas with Georg Benda.
- Carl Schöffler: German painter who specialized in landscape and animal painting in the late 19th and early 20th century.
- Johann Schöffler: Austrian classical composer born in the late 18th century.
- Sebastien Schöffler: French-Moroccan footballer who plays for Al-Raed in the Saudi Professional League.
- Adolf Schöffler: German photographer in the 19th and 20th century best known for his portraits and landscapes.
- Rudolf Schöffler: German architect and civic worker who, through his works, shaped the architecture of Regensburg.
- Karl Schöffler: Manager of the Munich art gallery Neue Pinakothek from 1846 to 1881.
- Ernst Schöffler: Swiss-born American composer and conductor active in the 19th and 20th century.