Scheffer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The distinguished surname Scheffer 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 Scheffer family

The surname Scheffer 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 Scheffer family

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

Scheffer 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 Scheffer family

Prominent figures of the time who bore the name Scheffer 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 Scheffer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Scheffer World Ranking

In the United States, the name Scheffer is the 17,572^nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3 However, in France, the name Scheffer is ranked the 9,360^th most popular surname with an estimated 500 - 1,000 people with that name. 4 And in Netherlands, the name Scheffer is the 400^th popular surname with an estimated 4,073 people with that name. 5

Scheffer migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Scheffer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Andries Scheffer, who arrived in New York in 1709 6
Hans Adam Scheffer, who landed in New York in 1709 6
Hans Peter Scheffer, who arrived in New York in 1709 6
Johan Gorg Scheffer, who arrived in New York in 1709 6
Philip Scheffer, who landed in New York in 1715-1716 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Scheffer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Friederike Scheffer, who landed in North America in 1832-1849 6
Benj Scheffer, aged 23, who landed in Missouri in 1845 6
Jacob Scheffer, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1857 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Scheffer (post 1700) +

Fernando Muhlenberg Scheffer (b. 1998), Brazilian swimmer, he is the bronze medalist of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the gold medalist at the 2019 Pan American Games and the South American record holder in the event. He became world champion and world record holder in 2018 World Swimming Championships
Victor Blanchard Scheffer (1906-2011), American mammologist and author
Will Scheffer, American playwright
David Scheffer, American lawyer and diplomat, former United States Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues
Morris Woodman Scheffer, American politician, Representative from New Jersey 6th District, 1944 7
H. J. Scheffer, American politician, Member of Minnesota State House of Representatives 3rd District, 1859-60 7
David J. Scheffer (b. 1953), American politician, U.S. Ambassador to, 1997-2001 7
Ana Paula Scheffer (1989-2020), Brazilian individual rhythmic gymnast who competed at the 2009 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships
Johan Scheffer (b. 1948), Australian politician, sitting member of the Victorian Legislative Council
Emmanuel Scheffer (b. 1924), retired manager of the Israel national football team
... (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/
"Most Common Last Names in Netherlands." Forebears, https://forebears.io/netherlands/surnames
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)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 23) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html