See also: Schaefer, Schafer, and schäfer

German edit

Etymology edit

From Middle High German schæfære, from late Old High German scāphāre. Equivalent to Schaf (sheep) +‎ -er. Compare Dutch schaper, scheper.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈʃɛːfər/, [ˈʃɛː.fɐ], [ˈʃeː.fɐ]
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -ɛːfɐ

Noun edit

Schäfer m (strong, genitive Schäfers, plural Schäfer, feminine Schäferin)

  1. shepherd
    Synonym: Schafhirt(e)

Declension edit

Proper noun edit

Schäfer m or f (proper noun, surname, masculine genitive Schäfers or (with an article) Schäfer, feminine genitive Schäfer, plural Schäfers or Schäfer)

  1. a surname originating as an occupation, equivalent to English Shepherd

Alternative forms edit

Descendants edit

  • English: Schaefer, Schafer

Further reading edit