Surname Schäpers - Meaning and Origin
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Schäpers: What does the surname Schäpers mean?
The last name Schäpers (pronounced "shy-purrs"), is of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word for shearer, or someone who cuts wool or fabric for a living. Historically, the name was given to people whose profession involved shearing and other textile related works. In some areas of Germany, the name was also used as a nickname for farmers, most likely related to terms meaning someone who cuts or harvests crops.
The name is most commonly found in Germany, but it is also found in other parts of Europe such as the Netherlands and Belgium. It is also found in North and South America, and South Africa, as many German families relocated during the 1800s and 1900s.
The Schäpers family were quite prominent back in Germanic countries, and the name was used for many famous individuals such as the astronomer Simon Schäpers (1771 - 1821). The name also appeared among the nobility in the Netherlands and later became associated with people in high-level politics, such as former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Joop van den Heuvel (1928 - 1981).
Schäpers can be considered an occupational surname, and reflects the importance of the textile industry in Germany's past. It may also represent the strong links between the Schäpers family and German politics and aristocracy.
Order DNA origin analysisSchäpers: Where does the name Schäpers come from?
The surname Schäpers is of German origin and is most commonly found in Germany today. There are more than 39,500 individuals in Germany with the surname Schäpers, making it one of the more popular last names in the country. The name is particularly popular in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, followed by the easterly state of Saxony-Anhalt.
Schäpers is also a common family name in the Netherlands, with a distinct occurrence in the province of Gelderland. Additionally, smaller numbers can be found in Belgium and other parts of Europe including Norway, Denmark, France, and Hungary.
The Chavacano variant of the surname, Chicop, can also be traced back to the origin of the German family. This variant is more likely to be found among Spanish-speaking communities, particularly in the Philippines.
The spelling of the name can vary greatly and this is due to regional variations in spelling, and combinations of other surnames. The original spelling of the surname is Schäpers which retains the umlaut over the letter 'a'.
In conclusion, the surname Schäpers is mainly identifiable in Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, and other parts of Europe, but also has a presence among Hispanic-speaking communities in the Philippines due to the Chavacano variant 'Chicop'. As previously mentioned, the spelling of the name can also vary depending on region.
Variations of the surname Schäpers
The surname Schäpers can be rendered in many different ways due to different languages and dialects. In German, the various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Schäfer, Scheffer, Schaefer, Schaeffer, Schafer, Schaffers, Schaffer, Schahemer, Schampers, Sceppners, Shaperson, Scherpers, Schoeppers, Schoepers, Schoppens, Schoepens, Schoepors, Schopouns, Scheppers, Schippers, Schepers, and Schebbens. The Dutch and German spelling of Schäpers is derived from the word schäper, which indicated a shepherd who kept livestock and herded sheep.
In English, the surname Schäpers is typically spelled Sheffer, Shaffer, Shaver or Schaefer. It is a variation of the occupational surname Shepherd. These names originated from the Old English “sceaphyrde” which was used to refer to a shepherd. Other spellings found in English include Shafers, Shavers, and Shelffer.
In the Scandinavian languages, a variant spelling of Schäpers is Schaperson. This form of the surname is derived from the German word schäp, which means “sheep” and the suffix -son, which means “son of.” The Danish and Swedish spelling of Schaperson is Schaper or Schpoer.
In the Slavic languages, the surname Schäpers is spelled Szczepanek or Szczepank. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Szczepan, which is a form of Stephen.
The various spellings of the surname Schäpers provide insight into its origin and meanings. No matter how it is spelled, this surname is associated with the keeping of sheep or shepherds.
Famous people with the name Schäpers
- Jonas Schäpers: German professional football player for Hannover 96
- Elke Schäpers: German visual artist
- Wilmar Schäpers: Dutch politician who was the mayor of Vlagtwedde
- Maria Schäpers: German composer and music teacher
- Rolf Schäpers: German business executive who was a chairman of the management board of ThyssenKrupp AG
- Jens Schäpers: German contemporary artist
- Toni Schäpers: German Olympic gold medalist in handball
- Patrick Schäpers: German music producer and DJ
- J.N. Schäpers: Dutch painter
- Piet Schäpers: Dutch football player and manager