The family name has German roots. Names like Sheaffer originated from the old European custom of identifying people by their family occupations. Sheaffer means “sheep,” so the first bearers of this name were likely recognized throughout their community as shepherds.

We have seen Sheaffer spelled at least 10 different ways: Schaeffer, Scheaffer, Schaffer, Schafer, Scheffer, Schefer, Shaffer, Shafer, Shefer, and Sheffer.

The word “grace” is translated from this Greek word. The Greek form of the verb means "to rejoice, to be glad, to be joyful, or to be full of joy." It also means "charm, beauty, graciousness, favor, kindly bearing, free gift, and free favor." The word carries a sense of great exultation, perhaps from the receipt of a freely provided (and maybe undeserved) gift. The word sounds like Kare-is.

We have seen charis spelled at least 6 different ways: Cherish; Harris; Karis; Kharis; Kareis; and Chares.

Best described as one who supplies members or employees; also an official who enlists personnel for military service. The Charis Group has been called an executive headhunter, an occupational health and safety recruiter, a top executive recruiter and specifically, Richmond Head Hunters. As a search firm, we have also been called a recruiting agency, a job recruiting agency, and a job recruiting company.