NameCensus.

UK surname

Schaefer

An occupational surname referring to a shepherd or sheep herder, derived from the German word "Schäfer."

In the 1881 census there were 37 people recorded with the Schaefer surname, ranking it #28,418 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 202, ranked #19,475, up from #28,418 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cannock Chase, South Lakeland and Tunbridge Wells.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Schaefer is 217 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 445.9%.

1881 census count

37

Ranked #28,418

Modern count

202

2016, ranked #19,475

Peak year

2014

217 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Schaefer had 37 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,418 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 202 in 2016, ranked #19,475.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 85 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Schaefer surname distribution map

The map shows where the Schaefer surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Schaefer surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Schaefer over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 2 #33,133
1861 historical 9 #32,724
1881 historical 37 #28,418
1891 historical 58 #29,439
1901 historical 70 #26,383
1911 historical 85 #24,322
1997 modern 138 #22,227
1998 modern 142 #22,406
1999 modern 155 #21,375
2000 modern 158 #21,055
2001 modern 157 #20,884
2002 modern 164 #20,687
2003 modern 156 #21,115
2004 modern 161 #20,840
2005 modern 154 #21,396
2006 modern 173 #19,995
2007 modern 174 #20,166
2008 modern 183 #19,735
2009 modern 195 #19,329
2010 modern 203 #19,264
2011 modern 205 #18,965
2012 modern 194 #19,606
2013 modern 207 #19,093
2014 modern 217 #18,645
2015 modern 202 #19,433
2016 modern 202 #19,475

Geography

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Where Schaefers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cannock Chase, South Lakeland, Tunbridge Wells and Islington. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cannock Chase 011 Cannock Chase
2 South Lakeland 007 South Lakeland
3 Tunbridge Wells 006 Tunbridge Wells
4 Cannock Chase 009 Cannock Chase
5 Islington 013 Islington

Forenames

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First names often paired with Schaefer

These lists show first names that appear often with the Schaefer surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Schaefer

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Schaefer, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Schaefer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Schaefer household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Schaefer is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Schaefer is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Schaefer falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Schaefer is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Schaefer, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Schaefer

The surname Schaefer originated in Germany, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is an occupational name derived from the German word "Schäfer," which translates to "shepherd" or "sheepherder." This name was given to individuals who worked as shepherds, tending to flocks of sheep, a common occupation in rural areas during that time.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Schaefer can be traced back to the 13th century. One notable example is found in the Württembergisches Urkundenbuch, a collection of historical documents from the region of Württemberg, Germany, which mentions a "Cunradus dictus Schaefer" (Conrad called Schaefer) in 1285.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various records across different regions of Germany, such as the Stadtbücher (city books) of Cologne, where a "Johannes Schaefer" was documented in 1368. The name also appeared in the Bürgeraufnahmen (citizen registrations) of Frankfurt am Main, where a "Heincze Schaefer" was recorded in 1387.

The surname Schaefer has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One prominent figure was Johann Valentin Schaefer (1687-1746), a German painter and engraver known for his landscape paintings and etchings. Another notable Schaefer was Johann Wilhelm Schaefer (1718-1790), a German composer and organist who served as the court organist in Copenhagen.

In the 19th century, Karl Schaefer (1844-1908) was a German architect who designed several notable buildings, including the Reichstag building in Berlin. Another Schaefer of note was Theodor Schaefer (1846-1910), a German explorer and naturalist who conducted expeditions in West Africa and published works on the flora and fauna of the region.

The name Schaefer has also been found in various place names throughout Germany, such as Schaeferhof (shepherd's farm) and Schaeferberg (shepherd's mountain), reflecting the occupational origins of the surname.

While the spelling "Schaefer" is the most common form in German, variations in spelling have existed, including Schäfer, Schefer, and Sheffer, among others. These spelling variations often occurred due to regional dialects and differences in pronunciation and record-keeping practices.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Schaefer families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Schaefer surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 27 Schaefers recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.69x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 27 7.69x
Midlothian 4 8.50x
Fife 1 4.81x
Kent 1 0.83x
Lancashire 1 0.24x
Suffolk 1 2.34x
Surrey 1 0.58x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 10 Schaefers recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.38x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 10 29.38x
Paddington London 5 38.73x
Bethnal Green London 4 26.23x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 4 21.13x
St Pancras London 4 14.15x
Clerkenwell London 2 24.13x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 1 125.00x
Ditton 1 588.24x
Kensington London 1 5.12x
Lambeth 1 3.27x
St Andrews 1 105.26x
St George Hanover 1 21.83x
Woolwich 1 22.57x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Schaefer surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Elizabeth 2
Adele 1
Amelia 1
Bertha 1
Florance 1
Gertrude 1
Josephine 1
Julinna 1
Pauline 1
Philippine 1
Sarah 1
Sophie 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Schaefer surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Charles 3
Albert 2
Francis 2
John 2
William 2
Eugene 1
Henry 1
Hermann 1
Julius 1
Oscar 1
Philip 1
Theodore 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Schaefer households.

FAQ

Schaefer surname: questions and answers

How common was the Schaefer surname in 1881?

In 1881, 37 people were recorded with the Schaefer surname. That placed it at #28,418 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Schaefer surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 202 in 2016. That gives Schaefer a modern rank of #19,475.

What does the Schaefer surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a shepherd or sheep herder, derived from the German word "Schäfer."

What does the Schaefer map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Schaefer bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.