Surname Schahl - Meaning and Origin

Schahl: What does the surname Schahl mean?

The last name Schahl is a German surname and is derived from the Middle High German word “schal” which translates to “shield.” As a result, the surname is associated with a heraldic meaning and suggest protection. Alternatively, the surname may have been taken from the occupational name for a locksmith.

The variation of the spelling, Schall, is also prevalent and is found throughout Germany. The surname may have several regional variations in spelling as is common with many European surnames including Schahal, Schehl, Schahlle, Schuhl, Schoell, Schull and Schoohle.

The earliest mentions of the surname are found recorded in Germany during the 12th century, though it is thought that it may have become widespread prior to 1100 BC. The French variant, Schaal, is also reported in historic records.

The earliest recorded use of the name Schahl was during the 16th century by a family who lived in Elgin, Germany. During this period the town of Elgin was located within the Empire of the Hapsburgs. During the 19th century, the Schahl family emigrated to the United States and Canada.

Throughout the 1800s and early 1900s, the surname was used in a variety of families who lived in many different cities and states in both the United States and Canada. This surname is still used today and continues to be popular in many Germanophone countries.

Schahl: Where does the name Schahl come from?

Today, the last name Schahl is most common in Germany. According to public records, in 2020 the surname Schahl was at its highest point when it was used as a surname 6,449 times in Germany. The surname Schahl is derived from the Middle High German words "schal," meaning "sheath" or "cloak," and "hal," meaning "hero" or "leader." This suggests that the Schahl name likely began as an occupational surname, referring to a leader of a military unit who went into battle wearing a sheath or cloak.

The name is currently thriving throughout Germany, and can also be found in other European countries such as Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the Netherlands. The Schahl name can also be found in North America, with significant numbers of people holding the Schahl surname in the United States and Canada. There are also a number of people living in Australia and New Zealand with the Schahl name.

Although the name Schahl is most prevalent in Germany, its distribution is truly global, with many different variations of the name. Some of the more common variations include Schall, Schoel, Scholl, and Schaal. No matter what its spelling, the Schahl surname is a reminder of the strength of the German people and their enduring legacy.

Variations of the surname Schahl

The surname Schahl is a German-language surname that can be spelled in a number of different ways, including Schaal, Schall, Schahl, Schaller, Schallerhahn, Schallhorn, Schallinger, Schaper, Schaeffer, and Schäffer. It is derived from the German word "schal," which means "rim" or "border". The surname Schahl is associated with a number of distinct Germanic surnames that were each used to denote a trade or occupation or to indicate a place of origin.

Variants of the surname Schahl can include Schaal, Schall, Schaller, Schallerhahn, and Schallhorn. These names are derived from the German words "scala," meaning "ladder," and "schaller," meaning "clerk." They indicate that the bearer of the surname was either a ladder-maker or a clerk.

The surname Schäffer is derived from the German word "Schafe," meaning "sheep." The bearer of this name likely had roots in the sheep-raising profession. The surname Schaper is also derived from the German word "Schapen," meaning "shear." It indicates that the original bearer was a sheep shearer.

Finally, the surnames Schaeffer and Schaeffler are believed to be derived from the place-name Schaefer, meaning "shepherd." These surnames could have indicated connections to the pre-industrial profession of shepherding livestock or could indicate roots in a specific region known for its shepherding profession.

Famous people with the name Schahl

• Schahl Edwin Baumann: German actor.
• April Schahl: American video producer.
• Edwin Schahl: American author and professor.
• Jan Schahl: German photographer.
• Paul Frederic Schahl: American entomologist.
• Jonas Schahl: German musician and composer.
• Art Schahl: American Major League pitcher.
• Chad Schahl: Canadian film director.
• Mark Schahl: musical conductor.
• John Schahl: American sports photographer.
• Andreas Schahl: German actor.
• Barbara Schahl: Austrian singer.
• Robert Schahl: German mountaineer and alpinist.
• Maria Schahl: Estonian actress.
• Eloise Schahl: American tenor saxophonist.
• Stephan Schahl: German sculptor.
• Per Schahl: Swedish sculptor.
• Brent Schahl: Canadian ice hockey player.
• Ferdinand Schahl: German miner and geologist.
• Jared Schahl: Canadian filmmaker and actor.

Other surnames

SchaheSchahn