Summary

German surname with origins in the Middle Ages. It is derived from the occupational name for a steward or overseer of a noble household. The name is associated with qualities of leadership, responsibility, and organization. It has a long history and can be found in different areas of Germany and other parts of the world.
There are
20614
Schaffers in the USA
Schaffer is the
1738th
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Schaffer

BrunoSchäfer

Bruno Schäfer was a German politician and member of the Social Democratic Party. He served as Minister of Justice in the German Democratic Republic from 1953 to 1963.

WalterScheffer

Walter Scheffer was a German physicist known for his contributions to the field of nonlinear optics. He is credited with developing the Scheffer-Krause model, which describes the behavior of parametric amplifiers.

DebbieSchäfer

Debbie Schäfer is a South African politician and member of the Democratic Alliance. She has served as the Western Cape Provincial Minister of Education since 2014.

RudiSchäfer

Rudi Schäfer was a German athlete who competed in the discus throw. He won a silver medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany.

GretchenSchäfer

Gretchen Schäfer is an American actress known for her roles in films such as 'Pretty in Pink' and 'The Lost Boys.' She has also appeared in numerous television shows, including 'Law & Order' and 'CSI: Miami.'

MartinSchafer

Martin Schafer is a German diplomat and politician. He has served as the spokesperson for the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2014.

HeinrichSchaefer

Heinrich Schaefer was a German architect known for his work in the Art Nouveau style. He designed several notable buildings in Berlin, including the Adlon Hotel.

FritzSchaefer

Fritz Schaefer is an American theoretical chemist and computational scientist. He is known for his contributions to the field of quantum chemistry and has received numerous awards for his work.

KarenSchafer

Karen Schafer is a Canadian politician and member of the Liberal Party. She has served as a Member of Parliament representing the riding of Leaside—East York since 2019.

StephanSchäfer

Stephan Schäfer is a German footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for FC St. Pauli. He has also represented the German national team at various youth levels.

Schaffer Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Schaffer' is of German origin and is derived from the occupational name for a steward or bailiff. The name is derived from the Middle High German word 'schaffaere,' meaning 'stewardship' or 'office of a steward.'
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Schaffer' is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, reflecting its Germanic origins. However, it can also be found in other countries with significant German immigrant populations, such as the United States and Canada.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Schaffer' include 'Schaefer,' 'Schafer,' 'Schaeffer,' 'Shaffer,' 'Schaeffler,' 'Sheffer,' 'Scheffer,' 'Schaeffert,' 'Schaafsma,' and 'Shaeffer.' These variations may arise from regional dialects or spelling changes over time.
Migration and ImmigrationThe name 'Schaffer' likely spread through migration and immigration, as people with the surname moved to different regions or countries for various reasons. German immigration to the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries likely contributed to the presence of the name 'Schaffer' in North America.