Surname Schaf - Meaning and Origin
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Schaf: What does the surname Schaf mean?
The last name Schaf (sometimes spelled Schaef) is a German surname meaning "sheep", derived from the Old High German "scaf". It is an occupational name for a herdsman, specifically someone who looked after sheep. It is likely that this surname was adopted by someone who was in the profession of tending to sheep.
The surname Schaf originated in several regions across Germany. The spelling of this surname can also vary in small ways, such as the spelling used for Schaff or Schaffer. It is likely that the surname first emerged in southern German territories around the Ober-Lahn and Rhine Rivers.
The Schaf surname is considered to be one of the oldest and most distinctive surnames throughout the German region. It has been around for centuries and continues to remain a prominent surname in Germany and other regions. It is also still fairly common in many parts of Europe, such as Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
The Schaf surname is not only common in Germany, but this name can also be found in the United States, Canada, and South America. The Schaf surname is also also known to have spread in to other parts of Europe, such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Scandinavia. In these areas, variations of the spelling such as “Schaffer” are more commonly found.
In conclusion, the Schaf surname is a German name with the meaning of “sheep”. It has been around for centuries and is still relatively widespread across Germany as well as other parts of Europe. Variations of the name have also been found in other parts of the globe such as the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisSchaf: Where does the name Schaf come from?
The last name Schaf is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, it is estimated that there are slightly over 31,000 individuals with the Schaf surname. This name is most popular in the northern parts of the country, particularly in the regions of Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, and Lower Saxony. The highest density of Schafs is in Baden-Württemberg.
In Switzerland, it is thought that nearly 4,000 people bear the Schaf name. Here, it is slightly more widespread, occurring in all regions of the country. Most Schafs in Switzerland live in the cantons of Zurich, Bern, and St. Gallen.
In Austria, an estimated 2,000 people have the Schaf surname. This is mostly concentrated in the eastern parts of the country with the majority living in Styria and Carinthia.
Moving away from Europe, there are also many individuals with the Schaf name in the United States and Canada, as many emigrated from Germany in the 19th and 20th centuries. Here they are most heavily concentrated in the states of Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania. These Schafs can also be found in other countries, including Brazil, Trinidad, and Tobago.
Variations of the surname Schaf
The surname Schaf has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common of these is Schaffer, which originated as a nickname for someone with the same surname. Other variants include Schaefer, Shafer, Shaffer, and Schaffer.
Other forms of the surname include Schaeffer, Schacher, Schaaff, Schaef, Schaepp, Schaff, Schafferhans, and Schaffers. These are all variations on the same name, either directly or through another dialect.
The Schaf surname can also be spelled in other languages, such as Schaab, Shab, Scheube, Shauff, Schaff, Schapf, Schipp, Schiefer, Schieffen, and Scheiber.
In addition, the names Shepherd, Schepens, Schepers, Shepperd, and Shapard are all assumed to possibly be variants or variants of the Schaf surname. It is believed that these names may have originated in the Low Countries.
Finally, the surname can also be found in other languages such as Dutch (Schaap), or German (Schaffel). These names are usually derived from the original German version.
Overall, the Schaf surname has a variety of spellings and variations in both English and other languages, ranging from derivatives of the original German name to nicknames and other languages. All of these variations are related and all imply a similar ancestral origin.
Famous people with the name Schaf
- Will Schafer: American film, TV and advertising producer
- Helen Schafer: American film, stage and television actress
- Matt Schafer: American television journalist
- Marzena Schafer: German former competitive figure skater
- Bernhard Schaf: Austrian composer and conductor
- Erich Schaf: German stage and silent film actor
- Gerhard Schaf: German American brewmaster
- Henry Schaf: American Major League Baseball player
- Peter Schaf: German-born American journalist and historical novelist
- Regina Schafer: German cross-country ski racer and silver medalist at the 1976 Winter Olympics
- Ed Schaf: American World War II veteran
- Ursula Schaf: Austrian artist
- Steven Schaf: American Jazz singer
- Louise Schaf: Canadian photographer
- Arnold Schaf: Austrian relief copper engraver
- Hilton Schaf: German-born South African sculptor
- Luigi Schaf: German Architect from Rome
- Johannes Schaf: German zoologist and professor of natural history
- Gerd Schaf: German Fighter Pilot in World War II