Summary

The surname Schäfer is of German origin and is derived from the occupation of a shepherd. It was commonly used to identify individuals who worked as shepherds or had a connection to the sheep farming industry. The name holds a long history and is still prevalent in modern times.
There are
24543
Schafers in the USA
Schafer is the
1452nd
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Schafer

DonaldSchaefer

Donald Schaefer was an American politician who served as the governor of Maryland from 1987 to 1995. He was known for his progressive policies and efforts to revitalize Baltimore.

ErikaSchaefer

Erika Schaefer is an American actress and model. She has appeared in several films and television shows, including 'Crazy, Stupid, Love' and 'Gossip Girl.'

HansSchaefer

Hans Schaefer was a German football player and manager. He played as a goalkeeper for the West Germany national team and later became a successful coach.

KarlSchaefer

Karl Schaefer is an American television writer and producer. He is best known for his work on the TV series 'Eureka' and 'Z Nation.'

PaulSchaefer

Paul Schaefer was a German television host and musician. He was the host of the popular music show 'Hitparade' in the 1960s and 1970s.

RichardSchaefer

Richard Schaefer is a Swiss-born American entrepreneur and former CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, a boxing promotion company. He has played a major role in the development of the sport of boxing.

RobertSchaefer

Robert Schaefer is an American cinematographer. He has worked on numerous films, including 'The Lovely Bones' and 'Finding Neverland.'

RuthSchafer

Ruth Schafer was a German-born British actress. She appeared in several films and stage productions during the 1940s and 1950s.

WalterSchaefer

Walter Schaefer was an American architect and urban planner. He was known for his work on the design and development of suburban communities.

WilliamSchaefer

William Schaefer was an American lawyer and politician. He served as the attorney general of Maryland and later as the mayor of Baltimore.

Schafer Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Schafer' is of German origin. It is derived from the occupational name 'Schäfer,' which means 'shepherd' in German. The name was originally given to people who worked as shepherds or had associations with sheep farming.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Schafer' is most commonly found in Germany and other German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland. It is also found among German communities in the United States.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Schafer' include 'Schaefer,' 'Schaffer,' 'Schaeffer,' and 'Schaferman.'
Migration and ImmigrationPeople with the surname 'Schafer' have migrated and immigrated to various countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. Many German immigrants adopted anglicized versions of their surnames.