<P> Schaefer is an alternative spelling and cognate for the German word "Schäfer", meaning shepherd, which itself descends from the Old High German scāphare . Variants "Shaefer", "Schäfer" (a standardized spelling in many German - speaking countries after 1880), the additional alternative spelling "Schäffer", and the anglicised forms "Schaeffer", "Schaffer", "Shaffer", "Shafer", and "Schafer" are all common surnames . </P> <Dl> <Dt> Born in 1800--1899 </Dt> </Dl>

Where does the last name schaefer come from