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Schaefer History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Citations

Schaefer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The distinguished surname Schaefer 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 Schaefer family

The surname Schaefer 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 Schaefer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Schaefer 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 Schaefer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Schaefer 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 Schaefer family

Prominent figures of the time who bore the name Schaefer were Peter Schöffer (c.1425-c.1503), an early German printer, and worked as a manuscript copyist in 1451.Angelus Silesius or Johann Angelus Silesius (1624-1677), born Johann Scheffler, was a German Catholic priest and physician. He was known as a mystic and religious poet, born and raised a Lutheran. In 1653, he adopted the name Angelus (Latin for "angel" or "heavenly messenger") and the epithet Silesius ("Silesian") and converted to Catholicism. As a convert and priest, he tried to convince German Protestants...
Another 89 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Schaefer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Schaefer Ranking

In the United States, the name Schaefer is the 1,043^rd most popular surname with an estimated 29,844 people with that name. 3 However, in France, the name Schaefer is ranked the 6,697^th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 4

Schaefer migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Schaefer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Enners Schaefer, who arrived in America in 1709-1711 5
Hs Schaefer, who arrived in America in 1709-1711 5
Hs Georg Schaefer, who landed in America in 1709-1711 5
Joh Henr Schaefer, who arrived in America in 1709-1711 5
Agnes Schaefer, who arrived in America in 1730 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Schaefer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Christine Schaefer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1806 5
Katharine Schaefer, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1806 5
Kath Schaefer, who arrived in North America in 1832-1849 5
Martha El Schaefer, who landed in North America in 1832-1849 5
Joh Jac Schaefer, who landed in North America in 1832-1849 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Schaefer migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Schaefer Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Dorothea Schaefer, aged 65, who arrived in Quebec in 1893
Georg Schaefer, aged 65, who arrived in Quebec in 1893

Schaefer migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Schaefer Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Hein. Schaefer, from Germany who arrived in Galveston, Texas aboard the ship "Ferdinand" in 1844

Contemporary Notables of the name Schaefer (post 1700) +

James George Schaefer (1938-2018), American politician, Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives (2013-2018) and (2011-2013)
Herman A. "Germany" Schaefer (1876-1919), American Major League Baseball second baseman
William Donald Schaefer (1921-2011), American politician, 58th Governor of Maryland (1987 to 1995)
Milner Baily "Benny" Schaefer (1912-1970), American biologist who specialized in the fisheries, eponym of the Schaefer short-term catch equation
Herman H. Schaefer (1919-1980), American professional basketball player and coach
Frederick Schaefer (b. 1842), German revolutionary and Union Army colonel during the American Civil War who co-founded F. & M. Schaefer Brewing Company with his brother Maximilian
Staff Sergeant Joseph E Schaefer (1918-1987), American Army soldier awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1944
Manfred Schaefer (1943-2023), German football defender who represented the Australian national team internationally, participating in the 1974 World Cup in Germany
Nolan Schaefer (b. 1980), Canadian professional NHL ice hockey goaltender
Peter Schaefer (b. 1977), Canadian professional NHL ice hockey player
... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

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)