This last name was longer and a little different before they came to the US What did shaw originate from in Germany?

You're likely thinking about the surname "Schauer" which can be found in Germany. It means "shower" in German and is a common surname that has been anglicized to "Shaw" in the United States.

There are other German surnames that could have become "Shaw" but "Schauer" is the most likely.

Do you have any additional information about the family or their origins that might help narrow it down? For example:

* Where in Germany did they come from?

* What was their original spelling?

* Are there any other known family members or relatives?

With more information, I can try to give you a more precise answer.