Schaeffer

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A surname of German origin that may refer to individuals
2. Historically associated with various notable figures in art, literature, and music
3. Commonly used in the context of family lineage or heritage studies

Etymology: The surname comes from the German "Schäfer," meaning "shepherd," an occupational name for someone who tended sheep. The Middle High German form "schæfære" was built from "schāf," "sheep," and an agent suffix, so the name literally means "one who looks after sheep." The "ae" spelling is an older way of writing the German "ä" sound, which is why it survives in many family names. Surnames like this were often fixed in records long before spelling was standardized, so the same family name appeared in many forms. Emigrants carried these spellings to other countries, where they stayed in use. Do not confuse it with "Schöffer," another German surname, which comes from "Schöffe," a lay judge. Peter Schöffer, the printer who worked with Johannes Gutenberg, bore that different name.