<P> Schaefer is an alternative spelling and cognate for the German word `` Schäfer '' , meaning shepherd , which itself descends from the Old High German scāphare . Variants `` Shaefer '' , `` Schäfer '' ( a standardized spelling in many German - speaking countries after 1880 ) , the additional alternative spelling `` Schäffer '' , and the anglicised forms `` Schaeffer '' , `` Schaffer '' , `` Shaffer '' , `` Shafer '' , and `` Schafer '' are all common surnames . </P>
<P> Schaefer is an alternative spelling and cognate for the German word `` Schäfer '' , meaning shepherd , which itself descends from the Old High German scāphare . Variants `` Shaefer '' , `` Schäfer '' ( a standardized spelling in many German - speaking countries after 1880 ) , the additional alternative spelling `` Schäffer '' , and the anglicised forms `` Schaeffer '' , `` Schaffer '' , `` Shaffer '' , `` Shafer '' , and `` Schafer '' are all common surnames . </P>
where does the last name schaefer come from
where does the last name schaefer come from
German word `` Schäfer '' , meaning shepherd
German word `` Schäfer '' , meaning shepherd