Surname Schaetzchen - Meaning and Origin
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Schaetzchen: What does the surname Schaetzchen mean?
The last name Schaetzchen is an historically Germanic surname derived from the old Germanic root sceatt, meaning “piece of money”. As such, the literal meaning of the name Schaetzchen is “small coin or payment”, often referring to a coin that was of low value or easily obtained.
During the Middle Ages, members of the Schaetzchen family were known as money-changers—notably of coins used in trade—as well as money lenders. This is possibly how the surname got its meaning, as money-changers were known to keep a variety of coins on hand and often exchanged for small fees.
The name Schaetzchen could also be interpreted as “guardian of treasures”. During the Middle Ages, this could have referred to an individual’s reputation or profession as a trusted financial adviser and keeper.
Although originally a German surname, today the Schaetzchen family name can be found throughout Europe. It is rare outside of Germany, however—perhaps due to its association to historical professions like money-changing and money-lending, which may have been frowned upon in some societies—making it even more important to trace one’s ancestry with this name.
Order DNA origin analysisSchaetzchen: Where does the name Schaetzchen come from?
The last name Schaetzchen is very rare today, with the most recent records indicating that only around 500 people still carry the name. Most of those with the name live in Germany, though a small number are known to have migrated to the United States in the early 1900s.
In Germany, the last name originated in the eastern region of Thuringia where it is derived from the village of Schötzke (literally meaning ‘small shelter’). It is believed that the name was first used in the 15th century by people living in the area who sought shelter from frequent military conflicts.
Surname records of Schaetzchen in Germany today show families living in the states of Bavaria, Saxony, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. Additionally, there are a few who have emigrated to Austria, Switzerland and Poland.
In the U.S., Schaetzchen is especially concentrated in New York, Michigan and Texas. Most of those with the last name migrated to the United States during the 19th century. Today, many of Schaetzchen descendants live in the Midwest and Northeast, and are actively involved in their local communities.
Overall, the last name Schaetzchen may be rare but those who carry it are proud of their heritage and traditions. Throughout the centuries, those who carry the name Schaetzchen have showed resilience and persistence, making it an important part of the German cultural identity.
Variations of the surname Schaetzchen
The surname Schaetzchen is of German origin and has various variants, spellings and related surnames.
The most common variant is Schätze, with alternate spellings Schatze and Schaetze. This surname literally translates to ‘treasure’ and, as such, is often associated with wealth and abundance.
The alternate spellings of Schatzchen, Schatchen and Schaetchen are also used to denote the diminutive form of Schatz meaning ‘little treasure’, often used as a term of endearment.
Related surnames include Schatzlein, Sheetz, Shatz, Shetze, Schets, Schatte and Schochen. This surname is also found in other Germanic countries such as Austria, where it is spelled Schaetzl, Schätzl or Schätzle, and in Switzerland, where it is spelled Schätzel or Schätzen.
Some surnames with similar forms of spelling or phonetics to Schaetzchen are Schach, Schuch, Shuch and Schuts. These are all variants of the German word ‘Schuhe’, which means ‘shoes’.
The surnames Schatzer, Schotz, Schatzinger, Schwing and Schwenk are also likely derivatives of the German word ‘Schwenken’, meaning ‘to sway’ or ‘to swing’.
Finally, some people belonging to the Jewish faith may have the surname Schotz, which is derived from the word ‘shochet’, meaning butcher.
Famous people with the name Schaetzchen
- Karen Schaetzchen: Karen is an Australian journalist and author. She wrote the book ‘The Baby Pact’, a novel about the struggles three friends face when their paths diverge over parenthood.
- Hugo Schaetzchen: Hugo is a German painter and architecture student. He is well known for his abstract works, and has been exhibited in several art galleries around Europe.
- Markus Schaetzchen: Markus is a professional athlete from Germany. He is best known for competing in the 2016 Olympics in the 3000m steeplechase, where he finished 33rd.
- Gretchen Schaetzchen: Gretchen is a German fashion designer. She is the founder of fashion label ‘Schaetzchen’, and has won multiple fashion awards for her collections.
- Franz Schaetzchen: Franz is an Austrian film producer. He has produced several critically acclaimed films, and won an Oscar for Best Picture for ‘The Magic Mountain’ in 2006.
- Lisa Schaetzchen: Lisa is an American singer-songwriter. She has released four studio albums, which have earned her numerous awards and nominations, including a Grammy for Best Folk Album.
- Ruth Schaetzchen: Ruth is a German actress. She has appeared in several films and television series, most notably ‘Verbotene Liebe’, where she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Series.
- Bernd Schaetzchen: Bernd is a German soccer player. He is best known for his time with Bayern Munich, where he was a part of nine Bundesliga titles and seven German Cup triumphs.
- Katherine Schaetzchen: Katherine is an American lawyer. She has served as a prosecutor in numerous high-profile criminal cases and is currently the Assistant United States Attorney for the East District of Missouri.