Surname Sheaffer - Meaning and Origin
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Sheaffer: What does the surname Sheaffer mean?
The last name Sheaffer is an anglicized version of the German surname Schäffer, which traces its roots back to Middle High German. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "schaffen," which translates to "to protect or shepherd." This type of name is known as an occupational surname; it was used for people who were employed as sheep shepherds.
The earliest known source of the Sheaffer surname is from early records of villages in Germany, with the first known record dating back to 1282 in the town of Thurungen in Central Franconia. The earliest Sheaffer recorded in the New World was Johannes Schäffer, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1733.
Although the Sheaffer surname is German in origin, it is fairly common in the United States with over 2,000 people sharing this name. One of the most notable people with the last name is Dr. David Sheaffer, a physician and award-winning author.
The surname Sheaffer has a deep history in German culture and is a reminder of the contributions and heritage of those who have adopted the name for themselves in the United States. The earliest records of the name in the New World demonstrate that the Sheaffer name has endured for hundreds of years.
Order DNA origin analysisSheaffer: Where does the name Sheaffer come from?
The last name Sheaffer is believed to have German origins, and many people with the surname today can trace their heritage back to the 1600s in Germany. Since then, the surname has spread around the world. In the United States, various branches of the Sheaffer family can be found in all fifty states.
Populations of Sheaffer's are much higher in certain states, with the largest population centers in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. Many are descended from a Mennonite family that settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in the early 1700s, or Jacob Shaefer, who arrived in Baltimore County in 1752.
Outside of the United States, Sheaffers can be found in Canada, the United Kingdom, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, South Africa, and Australia. The highest populations occur in Germany, Austria, and the United Kingdom.
No matter where Sheaffers are found, they are often known for their strong work ethic, tenacity, and commitment to family. All around the world, Sheaffers value family, education, and religious faith and tradition. It is no wonder that in many areas the Sheaffer last name is common and well-known.
Variations of the surname Sheaffer
The surname Sheaffer is an Anglo-Saxon Irish surname that has several possible variants. The most famous variant is "Shaffer." This name is said to mean either "stylish" or "shadow." It can also be found spelled Shafer, Shafer, Schaeffer, Scheffer, or Schefer.
In Scotland, the spelling of Sheaffer is Schaffer. This variant can also be found with the spellings Schaever, Schaefer, and Shaver.
There are also variants of the Sheaffer name found in Germany, such as Schäfer, Schäffer, Schöffer, and Schöffel.
In predominant areas of German-speaking settlers, the Sheaffer surname is more likely to be of German origin, while in the British Isles it is of both German and Irish ancestry.
In the United States, the Sheaffer name appears in the Ellis Island index with the primary spelling Shafer, and other variants include Shela, Shaler, Sheaffer, Scholer, Sheafer, Shearian, Shewmaker, Shewmaker, and Shula.
The Sheaffer surname has various spellings and is increasingly becoming associated with a wide range of surnames, from variations of the spelling to different forms of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Sheaffer
- Jason Sheaffer: Actor, Producer, and Screenwriter
- Bill Sheaffer: Major League Baseball Player
- Laura Sheaffer: Entrepreneur, Blogger, Host and Brand Consultant
- Linda Sheaffer: Writer and Artist
- Craig Sheaffer: Actor
- Delilah Sheaffer: Secondhand Rose Boutique Owner
- Kim Sheaffer: Wellness Professional and Life Coach
- Harry Sheaffer: Musician and Actor
- Caleb Sheaffer: Writer and Producer
- Eli Sheaffer: Writer, Director, and Artist