Surname Schäufler - Meaning and Origin

Schäufler: What does the surname Schäufler mean?

The last name Schäufler is a German surname derived from the Old High German word “scoufil,” meaning “shoemaker.” This surname was likely originally given to a shoemaker or cobbler, though it has evolved over time to refer to a person in any profession that involves manual labor.

In modern German, Schäufler is widely found as a surname in many regions throughout the country. However, due to its origin as a reference to a trade or profession, it may not be exclusively a German name; versions of it, including "Shoemaker," "Schaefler," and "Shofler," may be found in other German-speaking countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

The Schäufler surname carries with it a sense of both physical labor and industry. In particular, it speaks to the skilled work of a shoemaker, who many view as having an important place in the economy and society of the time. It is also associated with the values of hard work, dedication, and resourcefulness.

Today, many Schäuflers may still be in the trade for which they were named after. But the surname has also come to symbolize a strong work ethic and respect for the importance of manual labor, no matter the profession.

Schäufler: Where does the name Schäufler come from?

The last name Schäufler is most common today in Germany, primarily in the southern part of the country. It is also found in some parts of Austria and Switzerland. The surname Schäufler is quite old and was first documented in the 12th century. The name likely originated from the German term, Schäufl, which means basketmaker, lumberman, or fletcher.

In modern Germany, the last name is distributed mainly around the region of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Saxony. In particularly high concentrations, it is found in the city of Berlin and the surrounding region. According to a recent survey, the name is the 274th most popular surname in Germany and the 112th most common in Bavaria.

Schäufler is not a particularly common name in the rest of the world. There are a few Schäuflers scattered across the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and Argentina, primarily descended from German immigrants that moved to these countries during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Due to its German heritage, the surname Schäufler is closely associated with German-speaking nations and, in particular, the Germanic culture. It is a traditional German name with a long history that is still quite common in some parts of Germany today.

Variations of the surname Schäufler

The Schäufler surname is a German patronymic surname meaning “a maker or bearer of shovels”.

The spelling and variant forms of Schäufler can include Schäuflers, Schäufflers, Schäuffles, Schauflers, Schaufflers, Schauffles, Schaufflest, Schoufler, Schouffler, Schouffles, Schoufflet, Shaefler, Shäfler, Sheafler, Sheflers, Sheufles, Sheufflest.

The surname may also appear as Schaulfer, Schaulfers, Schäuler, Schaulers, Schauss, Schawus, Schauer, Schauers, Schlaufer, Schlaufers, Schluifer, Schluifers, Schoelfer, Schoelkers, Schöfer, Schöfers, Schöflers, Schöfles, Schöffler, Schoeffler, Shoefler, Shofler, Scholfer, and Scholkers.

In addition, the surnames Schäffer and Scheffer are related and may originate from Schäufler.

The Schäuffler family originated in Bavaria with the earliest recorded ancestor being Hans Schäufflers, an immigrating anabaptist who arrived in Pennsylvania in the late 1600s.

Today, there are many people of Schäufler descent living in Germany, United States, France, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. The surname has also spread to other countries through immigration.

Famous people with the name Schäufler

• Johannes Schäufler: Johannes Schäufler is a German sculptor who is known for his public monuments that celebrate German culture and achievement.
• Steffen Schäufler: Steffen Schäufler is a German journalist who is the head of the Der Spiegel magazine’s international desk.
• Klaus-Dieter Schäufler: Klaus-Dieter Schäufler is a German football player who formerly played for FC St. Pauli and is now a scout for Werder Bremen.
• Ingrid Schäufler: Ingrid Schäufler is a German actress who specialized in TV shows. She also acted in several films.
• Roland Schäufler: Roland Schäufler is a German self-made businessman who is the CEO of the German food production company Dr. Oetker.
• Michael Schäufler: Michael Schäufler is a German politician who was a member of the FDP and was later a member of the German Bundestag.
• Klaus Schäufler: Klaus Schäufler is a German sculptor and artist who is known for his neo-expressionist sculptures.
• Werner Schäufler: Werner Schäufler is a German sculptor who specializes in producing stone carvings, sculptures and statues.
• Alfred Schäufler: Alfred Schäufler is a German competitive diver who competed in the Olympics in the late 1940s.
• Barbara Schäufler: Barbara Schäufler is a German illustrator who focuses on producing editorial illustrations for newspapers and magazines.

Other surnames

SchauflSchäufle