Schauer
A German surname probably nicknamed for a storm, shower, or sudden burst of weather.
The #6,252 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 56,516 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Schauer is usually linked to German words for a shower or a sudden storm, and in older German the related forms could also mean a burst or violent weather. The historical material points to the old root seen in Middle High German schür and Old High German scur, both associated with a shower or squall. In surname use, it likely began as a nickname for someone who lived near, worked in, or was metaphorically associated with such weather.
History
The name is German in origin and appears in older surname collections alongside spellings such as Schaur and Scheuer. The excerpts suggest it belongs to a broader family of surnames built from a weather word, rather than from a place name or occupation. It is found in German-speaking areas and later appears in American records through immigration.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In older German surname studies, Schauer is grouped with several short forms and spelling variants built from the same storm/shower word family.
From the historical record
“Seharr s. Scar. Sehaubert s. Schubert. Schauer s. Scur. Schaufert s. Schubert Sehaninsland III. Satz-N. (0. in Baden); auch zsgz. Schaunsland. SehaninkeU lU., SehaamlWel UI. s. S. 44.”
— Die deutschen Familiennamen