Schafer — Last Name Origin & Meaning

English origin Rank #1,452 in the US 24,543 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#1,452
▼ Down 86 since 2000
People in the US
24,543
8.32 per 100K people
Origin
English
Old English

Origin & Meaning of the Schafer Surname

What does the last name Schafer mean?

The surname Schafer carries the meaning "One who does." It is derived from the Old English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 24,543 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Schafer ranks as the #1,452 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Schafer come from?

The Schafer surname has its roots in English heritage. Names of English origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Schafer name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Schafer trace back to Old English. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

English Old English

Quick Facts

Surname Schafer
Meaning One who does
Origin English
Language Old English
US Rank (2010) #1,452
US Count (2010) 24,543
Per 100K People 8.32
First Letter S

Ethnic Distribution of Schafer

According to the US Census, the Schafer surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 24,543 Americans with the Schafer last name.

White 95.3%
Black 0.32%
Hispanic 2.08%
Asian/PI 0.55%
Native American 0.36%
Two+ Races 1.38%
Ethnic distribution of the Schafer surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White95.3%
Black0.32%
Hispanic2.08%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.55%
Native American0.36%
Two or More Races1.38%

Popularity of Schafer Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Schafer surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#1,366
23,804 people
Down 86
Census 2010
#1,452
24,543 people

The number of Americans with the Schafer surname increased by 739 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Schafer Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Schafer ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Schafer

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Schafer.

Other English Surnames

Explore more surnames with English roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same English origin as Schafer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Schafer

The surname Schafer is of English origin. One who does
The surname Schafer is ranked #1,452 in the United States with approximately 24,543 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
One who does. The name has English roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Schafer surname is distributed as: 95.3% White. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Schafer ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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