Shäfer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The distinguished surname Shäfer 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 Shäfer family
The surname Shäfer 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 Shäfer family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shäfer 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 Shäfer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Shäfer 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 Shäfer family
Prominent figures of the time who bore the name Shäfer 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 Shäfer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Shäfer Ranking
In the United States, the name Shäfer is the 1,190th most popular surname with an estimated 24,870 people with that name. 3
Shäfer migration to the United States +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Shäfer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
- Casper Shafer, aged 25, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1738 4
- Fredrek Shafer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1739 4
- Johannes Shafer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1741 4
- Baltzer Shafer, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1762 4
- John Conrad Shafer, who landed in New York in 1784 4
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Shäfer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Simon Shafer, who arrived in Maryland in 1806 4
- Caterina Shafer, aged 6, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1807 4
- Christina Shafer, aged 26, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1807 4
- Antonia Shafer, aged 38, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1807 4
- Johanna Shafer, aged 1, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1807 4
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Contemporary Notables of the name Shäfer (post 1700) +
- Dirk Alan Shafer (1962-2015), American model, actor, screenwriter and director, Playgirl 1992 Man of the Year
- Ronald W. Shafer (b. 1938), American electrical engineer awarded many times for his contributions to digital signal processing
- Roy Shafer (b. 1922), American psychologist and psychoanalyst
- Harold Shafer (1912-2001), American businessman who founded the Gold Seal Company, the original maker of Mr. Bubble bubble bath
- Natalie Shafer (1900-1991), American actress, best known as Mrs Thurston Howell III on CBS's Gilligan's Island (1964-67)
- Dale E. Shafer, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Army Air Forces, during World War II, credited with 8 aerial victories
- Claron L. Shafer, American politician, Dry Candidate for Delegate to Ohio convention to ratify 21st amendment, 1933 5
- Chet Shafer, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for U.S. Representative from Michigan 4th District, 1948 5
- Chester J. Shafer, American politician, Member of New Jersey State House of Assembly from Warren County, 1939-40 5
- Charles A. Shafer, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for New York State Assembly from Erie County 4th District, 1911 5
- ... (Another 29 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Suggested Readings for the name Shäfer +
- Families of Frenches, Williamsons. Shafers. Braswells in America 1710-1972 by Irene French Braswell.
- Our Illustrious Shaffer, Shafer Family By Robert N. Umgerer.
- The First Three Generations of the Frederick Shafer Family in America, 1817-1965 by Thomas J.S. Heim.
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/
- 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, October 21) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html