Schaffer

Schaffer is a surname of German origin that is widely found in the United States, Canada, Germany, and other countries with German heritage. The spelling has many variants, including Shaffer, Shafer, Schäfer, Schäffer, and Schaefer, reflecting variations in spelling and pronunciation over time and by region. The exact etymology is not certain, but the name generally derives from Germanic roots associated with occupations or descriptors and shows up in many German-speaking and immigrant communities.

In addition to being a surname, Schaffer appears as a toponym and as a component in the names of organizations, firms, and geographic features, often named after individuals bearing the surname.

Notable people: The name is carried by many individuals across a wide range of fields, including politics, science, the arts, and business; readers may encounter biographies of people named Schaffer in reference works.