NameCensus.

UK surname

Shaffer

A German occupational surname referring to a steward or manager of sheep or other livestock.

In the 1881 census there were 15 people recorded with the Shaffer surname, ranking it #31,451 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 160, ranked #22,694, up from #31,451 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Brent, Barnet and Bolton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shaffer is 170 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 966.7%.

1881 census count

15

Ranked #31,451

Modern count

160

2016, ranked #22,694

Peak year

2000

170 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Shaffer had 15 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,451 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 160 in 2016, ranked #22,694.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 97 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Shaffer surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shaffer surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Shaffer 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 3 #32,890
1861 historical 7 #33,053
1881 historical 15 #31,451
1891 historical 34 #31,604
1901 historical 45 #29,156
1911 historical 97 #23,076
1997 modern 159 #20,339
1998 modern 169 #20,104
1999 modern 161 #20,868
2000 modern 170 #20,120
2001 modern 164 #20,279
2002 modern 169 #20,307
2003 modern 166 #20,320
2004 modern 155 #21,352
2005 modern 164 #20,552
2006 modern 157 #21,322
2007 modern 148 #22,406
2008 modern 149 #22,530
2009 modern 163 #21,715
2010 modern 167 #21,835
2011 modern 150 #23,309
2012 modern 159 #22,361
2013 modern 154 #23,210
2014 modern 159 #22,930
2015 modern 155 #23,194
2016 modern 160 #22,694

Geography

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Where Shaffers 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 Brent, Barnet, Bolton, Bournemouth and Redbridge. 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 Brent 004 Brent
2 Barnet 025 Barnet
3 Bolton 007 Bolton
4 Bournemouth 024 Bournemouth
5 Redbridge 036 Redbridge

Forenames

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First names often paired with Shaffer

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Shaffer

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Shaffer, 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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Shaffer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Shaffer household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Shaffer is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Shaffer 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

Shaffer falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Shaffer is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Shaffer

The surname Shaffer is of German origin, derived from the word "Schäfer," which means "shepherd" in English. It originated in the 13th century and was initially used as an occupational surname for those who worked as shepherds or tended to flocks of sheep.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Shaffer can be traced back to various regions of Germany, including Bavaria, Hesse, and Saxony. In these areas, the name appeared in various forms, such as Schäfer, Schaefer, and Scheffer, reflecting regional spelling variations.

One of the earliest known references to the name Shaffer can be found in the Bremische Bürgerliste (Bremen Citizens' List) of 1289, which mentions a certain "Henricus Schäfer." This document provides evidence of the name's existence and usage during the medieval period.

As the name spread across Europe, it also found its way into historical records in other countries. For instance, in England, the name appeared as early as the 16th century, with instances such as John Shaffer, who was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1524.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who carried the surname Shaffer. One prominent figure was Jacob Shaffer (1765-1842), a German-born American pastor and missionary who played a significant role in the early Methodist movement in the United States.

Another notable Shaffer was Wilhelm Shaffer (1809-1889), a German-American businessman and politician who served as Mayor of Baltimore, Maryland, from 1867 to 1871. He was instrumental in the development of Baltimore's infrastructure and urban planning during his tenure.

In the realm of literature, Moses Shaffer (1835-1909) was an American writer and journalist who published several works, including "The Memoirs of a Veteran" and "The Siege of Knoxville."

The name Shaffer also gained recognition in the field of science with the contributions of Philip Shaffer (1863-1938), an American chemist and inventor who patented several processes and products, including a method for manufacturing artificial silk.

Lastly, one cannot overlook the legacy of Jack Shaffer (1921-2001), an American professional baseball player who spent more than a decade playing for various Major League Baseball teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Shaffer families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shaffer 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. Lancashire leads with 8 Shaffers recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.62x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 8 4.62x
Middlesex 4 2.74x
Lincolnshire 1 4.28x
Northumberland 1 4.60x
Warwickshire 1 2.71x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cheetham in Lancashire leads with 6 Shaffers recorded in 1881 and an index of 465.12x.

Place Total Index
Cheetham 6 465.12x
St George In East 2 202.02x
West Derby 2 39.45x
Chelsea London 1 22.73x
Edgbaston 1 87.72x
Felton 1 3333.33x
Stamford All Sts 1 769.23x
Westminster St James 1 66.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Alice 2
Rachel 2
Ellen 1
Fanny 1
Gwendolp 1
Maska 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 2
George 1
Henry 1
Isaac 1
Mendel 1
Simon 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 Shaffer households.

FAQ

Shaffer surname: questions and answers

How common was the Shaffer surname in 1881?

In 1881, 15 people were recorded with the Shaffer surname. That placed it at #31,451 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Shaffer surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 160 in 2016. That gives Shaffer a modern rank of #22,694.

What does the Shaffer surname mean?

A German occupational surname referring to a steward or manager of sheep or other livestock.

What does the Shaffer map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Shaffer 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.