Surname Schachter - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schachter: What does the surname Schachter mean?
The last name Schachter is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin and is derived from the German word for “checkers” or “chess.” It is thought to have originated from the Yiddish form of the game, shakhs. It is a patronymic surname, which means it was originally derived from the name of the father or mother of the original bearer, with the word “schachter” being added to the personal name.
Schachter is classified as a habitational name, which means it was originally derived from the name of a location, and it was most likely first adopted by a family that lived close to a particular landmark such as a building, rural area, or geographical feature. As the family relocated, the name spread throughout Europe, and eventually to other parts of the world.
A variation of the name, Schacter, is found in Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic. It is also of Jewish origin, and likewise comes from the word “shakhs.” In addition to being a habitational name, Schacter is also classified as an occupational name, and was likely adopted by someone who sold or manufactured chess and checkers boards and sets.
Schachter is a very rare surname, and it is estimated that there are only a few hundred people with this name in the whole world. It is a unique name that carries with it a long history and its own special meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisSchachter: Where does the name Schachter come from?
The last name Schachter is primarily found in Europe and North America today. It is most common in the countries of Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Poland. In Germany, the root of the name can be traced back to an old Jewish surname meaning "Shoemaker". In the United States, the Schachter surname is primarily of Eastern European Jewish origin, with many members of the name having immigrated from Austria-Hungary, Russia-Poland, and other parts of Europe during the 1700's and 1800's. There are especially high concentrations of Schachters in the New York City area, especially in Brooklyn and Queens. In Austria and Hungary, Schachter families can be found in Vienna, Budapest, and other cities. Canada is also home to many Schachters, although they are more scattered in different parts of the country. In addition, there have been cases of emigration to countries such as Australia and South Africa as well. All in all, the last name Schachter is primarily found in Europe and North America today, and has deep historical roots in the Jewish communities of the regions.
Variations of the surname Schachter
The surname Schachter is one of the many derivatives of the German word 'Schacht', meaning 'mine shaft' or 'tunnel'. It is derived from the Middle High German 'schachte', which refers to an excavator or a spade. Variants and spellings of Schachter include Schacht, Schaecht, Schaechter, Schachterer, Schacher, Schachtur, Schakt, Schakter, Schack, Schak, Schakt, Schakter and Schketter.
In addition to these variants, the surname has many related surnames with similar spellings and origins, which have been derived over the centuries from various languages and regions. These include Schachtel, Schacer, Schatz, Schacher, Schatiz, Schatzman, Schayk, Schacherer, Scheck, Schachtman, Schick, Schickman, Schickel, Schreck, Shoemaker, Schoeneberg, Schoonover, Schoppe and Schott.
The surname Schachter may also be found anglicised, in the form of Schacter, Shacther, Shackter, Shacter, Shachter, Shacter and related spellings. These spellings are found primarily among Jewish families whose ancestors emigrated to the United States and the United Kingdom in the 19th and 20th centuries. The variant surname Schacha is popular among Jews living in various parts of the world, including Israel, the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe.
Famous people with the name Schachter
- Gary Schachter: Gary is a former professional American tennis player who won numerous championships in singles and doubles throughout his career.
- Bruce Schachter: Bruce is an American award-winning director, producer, and writer who has directed several movies and television series including The Simpsons and The Sopranos.
- Judith Schachter: Judith is a Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Pittsburgh and a leading scholar of Judaism in medieval Europe.
- Stan Schachter: Stan is a former Major League Baseball Manager who won two World Series with the Dodgers in 1974 and 1978.
- Andrew Schachter: Andrew is a film composer, orchestrator, and conductor who has composed music for more than 100 films, including Groundhog Day and Spiderman.
- Saul Schachter: Saul is a Professor of Biology at Harvard University and an internationally-recognized expert in the mechanisms of gene regulation and transcriptional control.
- Michael Schachter: Michael is a leading integrative medical doctor and practitioner of complementary medical care. He is trained in traditional Western and Ayurvedic medicines.
- Alan Schachter: Alan is a theoretical physicist and one of the founders of the field of optical lattice simulators.
- Clare Schachter: Clare is a furniture designer and sculptor whose work has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the US and Europe.
- Gary Schachter Sr.: Gary is a former Major League Baseball player who had 13 career home runs and a .283 batting average.