Surname Schardien - Meaning and Origin

Schardien: What does the surname Schardien mean?

The surname Schardien is of German origin and is found in many countries throughout the world. It is derived from the German word “Scharde,” which means sharpness, such as the sharpness of a blade. The name is likely indicative of someone with a sharp wit and a keen mind. Historically, the Schardien family was known for its intellect and scholars, though they were also skilled farmers and soldiers throughout Europe.

The Schardiens have a long and rich history. The family is related to the 18th century physician and naturalist Johann August Schardien, who was famous for his exploration of the naturalist world. His exploration led to a new field of science, which combined various elements of modern geology, paleontology, and chemistry. Later, his brother Bruno Schardien would become a renowned botanist, contributing to the development and classification of various species of plants. Additionally, members of the Schardien family had a knack for the military. During the 30 Years War, Johann Nicolaus Schardien formed his own battalion.

The Schardien family has had a long-standing reputation for sharp intellects, combined with brave and adventurous souls. They have contributed to the sciences, the military, and various other fields. Even today, the name continues to represent those qualities, providing a sense of honor and distinction to the family and all of its members.

Schardien: Where does the name Schardien come from?

The last name Schardien is most common today in Germany. According to the German language genealogy website Ahnenblatt, the surname Schardien is found almost exclusively in the region of Westphalien. It is estimated that more than 35,000 people living in Germany today bear the name Schardien.

The name Schardien first appeared in records in the 16th century in Westphalien but does not appear in other areas until much later. During the Napoleonic Wars, some Schardiens emigrated from Westphalien to the Lower Palatinate in Rhineland-Palatinate and to the Baltic Sea region. In recent centuries, however, most Schardiens have stayed within Westphalien, with only a few venturing outside of the region.

The Schardien name is said to be derived from the Old German “schat” meaning “clever” or “wise”. It is also thought that it may have originally been a shorter version of the Old German name “Scharderhube” which means “brave leader” or “commander”.

Most Schardiens today still live in Westphalien in the cities of Dortmund, Bochum, Dusseldorf, Wuppertal, and Unna among others. The city of Dortmund is particularly popular among Schardiens, with the surname being very common in this area. It is also common in other parts of Germany, especially in areas with a large immigrant population.

Variations of the surname Schardien

The surname Schardien is of Germanic origin and has various variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin. These include Scharden, Schardt, Schardin, Schardean, Schardy, Schardee, and Schard.

The surname Schardien originated with the Middle High German word ‘schardo’ which means ‘judicial official’. A ‘schardo’ was a member of an early medieval court and thus the surname may have been given to those who held such a position. Over time the name has evolved from Schardo to Schardien, and these other variants and surnames.

The spelling Schardee is of Dutch origin, and may be a variation of Schardien or derived from the Middle Dutch ‘Scherdt’ meaning ‘scythe cutter’. This would suggest the family originated from a background of a scythe cutter. The surname Schardin was also derived from this Middle Dutch term.

Today, the surname Schardien and its variants are found predominantly in Europe in Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom.

The variations of the Schardien surname indicate the diverse origins of this name and the various ways it has evolved over time. Historically, those with this surname were likely connected to the judicial system or to a background of scythe cutting. It is widespread across Europe today and still continues to be used in many countries.

Famous people with the name Schardien

• Gerhard Schardien (1932-2006), German modern pentathlete who competed at the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games
• Nadja Schardien (born 1992), German Olympic fencer
• Alexander Schardien (born 1992), German-born footballer for Norwegian club Haugesund
• Sophia Schardien (born 1986), German sprinter who finished fourth at the 2007 IAAF World Indoor Championships
• Christopher Schardien (born 1982), German walking racer
• Julia Schardien (born 1991), German chess player
• Kay Schardien (born 1924), German ice hockey player who competed in the 1948 Winter Olympics
• Tanja Schardien (born 1964), retired West German biathlete who competed in the 1984 Winter Olympics
• David Schardien (1907-1982), German athlete who competed of the 1928 Summer Olympics
• Christoph Schardien (born 1951), German sportsman, participating in judo and karate

Other surnames

SchardinScharding