Shepherd or steward
Derived from the German occupational surname Schäfer, meaning shepherd. It can also relate to the Middle High German word 'schaffære', referring to a manager, steward, or administrator of a household.
Less common today
Shafer isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #5,405 in 1994.
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
Former NFL safety and MLB player
