Schaeffer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Schaeffer

What does the name Schaeffer mean?

The distinguished surname Schaeffer is German in origin. It is derived from the Middle High German term "schaffaere," which referred to a shepherd, one who took care of sheep. 1 Alternatively, the name could have been derived from an German occupational name for someone "who made casks and barrels, a cooper." 2

Early Origins of the Schaeffer family

The surname Schaeffer was first found in Hessen, where the name was closely identified in early medieval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs.

Early History of the Schaeffer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Schaeffer research. Another 135 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1425, 1451, 1503, 1569, 1624, 1653, 1677, 1699, 1756, 1787 and 1813 are included under the topic Early Schaeffer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Schaeffer Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Schaeffers, Schaefer, Scheaffer, Schaefers, Schaffer, Schafer, Shaeffer, Schefer, Shaefer and many more.

Early Notables of the Schaeffer family

Prominent figures of the time who bore the name Schaeffer were

Baron Carl Schaeffer von Bernstein served in the Austrian army as a Lieutenant and then emigrated to America

Schaeffer Ranking

In the United States, the name Schaeffer is the 2,451^st most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 3 However, in France, the name Schaeffer is ranked the 989^th most popular surname with an estimated 5,321 people with that name. 4

Schaeffer migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Schaeffer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Andreas Schaeffer, who emigrated with his family to England or America in 1709
Dorothea Schaeffer, who landed in New York, NY in 1709 5
Georg Schaeffer, who landed in New York, NY in 1709 5
Gerhardt Schaeffer, who arrived in New York in 1709-1710 5
Hans Werner Schaeffer, who landed in New York, NY in 1709 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Schaeffer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Joh Herman Schaeffer, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1804 5
Louis Schaeffer, who arrived in Ohio in 1812 5
Ludwig Schaeffer, who landed in Ohio in 1812 5
Frederick Schaeffer, who landed in Maryland in 1832 5
Peter Schaeffer, who landed in New York in 1833 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Schaeffer migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Schaeffer Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Frederick Schaeffer U.E., (Friederick) who settled in Canada c. 1784 6
Mr. John Schaeffer U.E., (Johannes, Shaefer, Shaffer) who settled in Canada c. 1784 6
Mr. Nicholas Schaeffer U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 6

Schaeffer Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Fred William Schaeffer, who arrived in Canada in 1800

Contemporary Notables of the name Schaeffer (post 1700) +

George Harrison Schaeffer, American football player, coach of football, basketball, and baseball, and college athletics administrator
Frederick Christian Schaeffer (1792-1832), American Lutheran clergyman
Eric D. Schaeffer, American theater director and producer
Francis August Schaeffer (1912-1984), American Evangelical Christian theologian, philosopher, and Presbyterian pastor
David Frederick Schaeffer (1787-1837), American Lutheran clergyman
Chester Schaeffer (1902-1992), American film and television editor
Charles Frederick Schaeffer (1807-1879), American Lutheran clergyman
Brentis Jarryn Schaeffer (b. 1986), American former Arena football Quarterback
Albert "Al" Charles Schaeffer (1907-1957), American mathematician who worked on complex analysis
William G. "Billy" Schaeffer (b. 1951), retired American professional basketball player
... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X