Surname Shafer - Meaning and Origin

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G. Shafer

Shafer: What does the surname Shafer mean?

The surname Shafer is of German origin, derived from the German word "schäfer" meaning "shepherd." It was most commonly adopted as a surname in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria by individuals or families who were actual shepherds by profession. This occupational surname was used to identify people based on their line of work, much like other last names like Baker, Smith, or Farmer. The spelling variations of the name can include Schaefer, Schefer, Shaefer, and others. Over time, the surname was taken to other parts of the world through emigration, and its holders can now be found across the globe. As with many surnames, particular versions of this surname may also have been influenced by regional dialects and the phonetic spelling of the surname by immigration officials. Despite its various spellings, the primary meaning remains consistent - a person who tends or herds sheep.

Shafer: Where does the name Shafer come from?

The surname Shafer is of German origin. It is derived from the German word "Schaffer", which means shepherd, laborer, or worker. Today, the last name Shafer is common throughout English-speaking countries such as Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. It is also found in pockets of Europe, where it is spelled differently based on local pronunciation (for example, Schaeffer in Germany and Schaffer in France).

In the United States, the surname is particularly popular in Pennsylvania. The most recent US census (in 2010) listed Shafer as the 449th-most-common surname in the country overall, with a prevalence of 0.035% of the population carrying the name.

Shafer can also be found throughout Canada. According to Statistics Canada data gathered from 2006 to 2011, Shafer is the 437th-most-common surname in Canada, with 0.039% of the population carrying the name. It is particularly common in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Quebec.

Overall, it appears the surname Shafer is most common in English-speaking countries such as Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, with pockets of prevalence in parts of Europe.

Variations of the surname Shafer

The surname Shafer is an anglicised form of the German word Schaeffer. The etymology of Schaeffer is thought to come from the German word schaeffen, which means "shepherd". The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Shafer include Schaeffer, Shaeffer, Schaefer, Sheffer, Shaffer, Shafar, Schaaf, Schaaf, and Schaff.

The variations of the surname Shafer occur in many different countries, including the United States, where the spelling is often simplified as Shafer. In the United Kingdom, the spelling Schaeffer is listed as relatively popular. In Germany, the spelling Schaefer is more commonly used. In some parts of eastern Europe, such as Ukraine, the spelling Schafar can be found.

In the United States, Shafer is a relatively common surname, with more than 47,400 members of the U.S. population bearing the name in 2010. The surname Schaefer is also common, with more than 23,000 U.S. citizens holding the name in the same year. The surname Shaeffer is relatively less common in the United States, with less than 500 U.S. citizens bearing the name in 2010.

The surnames Shaffer and Sheffer are also popular in the United States, with more than 14,000 and 6,000 people respectively taking the surnames in the year 2010. The surname Schaff is relatively rare, with less than 100 individuals bearing the name in the U.S. in 2010, while the surnames Schaaf and Schaff are even rarer, with only a few individuals bearing the names in the U.S. in the same year.

Famous people with the name Shafer

• Mika Shafir: Israeli Olympic Judoka
• Dave Shafer: Former Major League Baseball player
• Great Shafer: Retired American pornstar
• Denny Shafer: Television actor
• Tzvi Shafer: American-Israeli Rabbi
• Ted Shafer: American actor
• Paul Shafer: Comedy writer/producer
• Heather Shafer: American film actress
• Sarah Shafer: American operatic soprano
• Shane Shafer: Former American football player
• Jonathan Shafer: Video game designer
• Faith Shafer: British model
• Jeff Shafer: Former Major League Baseball pitcher
• John Shafer: Television and film actor
• Gershon Shafir: Sociologist and political scientist
• Robert Shafer: American operatic baritone
• Mary Lou Shafer: American art historian
• John Shafer: Former American journalist and author
• Semi Shafer: Turkish professional basketball player
• Michael Shafer: American experimental filmmaker

Other surnames

Shafe