Surname Schankweiler - Meaning and Origin
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Schankweiler: What does the surname Schankweiler mean?
The last name Schankweiler is of German origin, derived from the German elements "schank" meaning a trough or vat, and the suffix "weiler", meaning settlement or village. Put together, the name essentially means "dweller of the (trough or vat) settlement". This type of name was generally given to a family that lived near a trough or water source. It is also believed that Schankweiler originated in the Saarland region, near the French border. It has since spread across Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and other German speaking countries.
The Schankweiler surname was fairly common throughout the late Middle Ages and Early Modern Period. Records from the 16th century indicate that the Schankweiler family employed a significant number of people and was therefore a fairly prosperous family. In the 19th century, many Schankweilers emigrated to the United States, Canada and Australia, and the name can still be found throughout these countries today.
The Schankweiler surname carries a certain level of tradition and respect. It represents a family that was prominent during the Middle Ages, and one that was employed by their peers during the 16th century. Additionally, the Schankweiler family is tied to the unique German custom of giving people surnames based on their places of birth or residence. This gives the name a special sense of history and provides a link to the German ancestry of those who bear it.
Order DNA origin analysisSchankweiler: Where does the name Schankweiler come from?
The last name Schankweiler is most commonly found in the region of Bavaria, Germany. This name originated in southern Germany and was mainly used in the area of Bavaria in the country’s south. Today, this last name can be found in many European countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and parts of the Netherlands. It is even found in Canada, the United States, and South America.
In Germany, the name is among the top 5000 most common last names. In particular, the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg have a higher concentration of this name. There are many families with this last name living in cities like Munich, Nuremberg, and Erlangen.
In the United States, the Schankweiler name has been around since the 1700s. There are a few Schankweiler families living in the states of Pennsylvania and Virginia. The name is even more common in Canada, with some families living in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia.
At the turn of the 20th century, the last name was recorded in Europe, North America, and Australasia. Many of the pioneers of this name settled in Australia and New Zealand during this time.
Regardless of where they live, people with the Schankweiler surname are proud of their roots in Bavaria. The name stands as a testament to the families that have made their homes and communities in parts of Europe, the US, Canada, and Australasia.
Variations of the surname Schankweiler
The surname Schankweiler is a German toponic surname, referring to a place of origin in the former Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany. Variants, spellings and other surnames of the same origin include Schankeweiler, Schaenkweiler, Schankuehle, Schankwiller, Schangweiler, Schankweeckel and Schankweil.
The surname "Schank(e)weiler" is derived from two German words. The first word is Schank, meaning "tap". This could refer to the popular local pastime of gathering at the local pub or tavern to spend time together. The second word is weiler, which even today is used to refer to small settlements in German customary law.
The earliest known record of the surname Schankweiler is from 1466. This record refers to Johann Schankewiler, a tenant of the Büchen Ranch in Leipzig, Germany. From that point on, the Schankweiler family has been traced across central and western Germany, as well as Austria and parts of Eastern Europe.
By the mid-1800s, the Schankweiler family name began appearing in the US. In 1892, Anton Schankweiler arrived in North America, soon followed by several other family members.
Today, Schankweiler is still the most common spelling of the surname. Other spellings such as Schankeweiler, Schaenkweiler, and Schankuehle, and Schankwiller have been used somewhat interchangeably throughout the years, although Schankweiler is still the most common. Often other surnames have been derived from the original, such as Schangweiler, Schankweeckell, and Schankweil.
Famous people with the name Schankweiler
- Maren Schankweiler: Maren is a German contemporary artist and sculptor, best known for her chaotic textile works.
- John Schankweiler: John is an American folk artist, photographer and bookmaker. He is a collector of rural American printmaking techniques, specializing in letterpress and hand printing.
- Andrea Schankweiler: Andrea is an Austrian contemporary artist noted for her abstract paintings and sculpture.
- Jack Schankweiler: Jack is a German freelance photographer, graphic designer and digital artist based in Berlin.
- Rosina Schankweiler: Rosina is an American designer and sculptor. She is best known for designing whimsical paper mache sculptures which are often characterized by brightly colored birds, plants and animals.
- Pius Schankweiler: Pius is an Austrian painter known for his naive styled landscapes, featuring distinctive mountain scenes with lush, bright colors.
- Reinhard Schankweiler: Reinhard is an Austrian architect specializing in historic preservation and restoration.
- Petra Schankweiler: Petra is a German painter known for her expressionist abstract paintings. Her work often incorporates recycled materials and found objects.
- Thomas Schankweiler: Thomas is an American ceramicist well known for his decorative crystalline glazes.
- Jochen Schankweiler: Jochen is a German sculptor whose work is inspired by the natural landscape. He uses a variety of materials and techniques.