Surname Scharpwinkel - Meaning and Origin
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Scharpwinkel: What does the surname Scharpwinkel mean?
The last name Scharpwinkel is a German surname derived from Old Germanic roots. When broken down, the name is composed of two elements: sharpen (‘scharpen’) and corner ('winkel').
If taken literally, Scharpwinkel can be translated to “sharp corner”. A more figurative meaning of this surname could be someone who makes their way through a difficult situation using a keen wit and insight. It could also describe a person with a keen eye for detail and a sharp intellect, capable of cuting through any obstacle.
This surname is very rare in the United States, but is still in use in large parts of Germany. It is not a toponymic (descriptive of where one’s ancestors came from) name, so its origins are unclear. The closest clue to its origin point would be the area where the earliest known records of the Scharpwinkel family appear.
The earliest known records of the Scharpwinkel family date back to the late 1600s in Heraldstein, a small rural town located just outside of Dresden in Germany. At that time many smaller villages would have had a headman (a position more commonly known as a mayor or magistrate) in charge of managing day-to-day affairs. It is likely that the Scharpwinkel surname was adopted by someone in that role, as the aptitude needed to fulfil the role aptly fits with the surname’s figurative meaning.
At the end of the day, the true origin of Scharpwinkel may remain a mystery. But its literal and figurative meanings give insight into the qualities valued by those who once bore the Scharpwinkel name.
Order DNA origin analysisScharpwinkel: Where does the name Scharpwinkel come from?
The last name Scharpwinkel is most commonly found in the Netherlands today. Records from the Central Bureau voor Genealogie show that there were just under 500 people in the Netherlands with the surname in 2015. It can be found in pockets throughout the Netherlands but is primarily concentrated in the provinces of North Holland and Zuid Holland.
The origins of the Scharpwinkel surname can be traced to several different cities in the Netherlands. The earliest origins are traced to Utrecht from the 1300's. Records from Utrecht only show the last name Scharpwinkel (sometimes spelled also as Scharpwinckle) being used by family members of the same name. This suggests that the name may have originated from a single family, that likely had its origins from the city of Utrecht.
It is interesting to note that the Scharpwinkels found in Utrecht in the 1300's were from an area which is now known as the province of North Holland. This suggests that the Scharpwinkel family may have relocated from Utrecht to North Holland in the ensuing centuries. Today, much of the Scharpwinkel family can be traced to this area, with the highest concentration found in The Hague.
Regardless of where the Scharpwinkel name originated from, its presence in the Netherlands is clearly evident. It remains a relatively rare surname, but it can be found throughout the country due to its prevalence in North Holland and Zuid Holland.
Variations of the surname Scharpwinkel
The surname Scharpwinkel is of German origin, derived from “sharp corner” which likely refers to a prominent corner on a property once owned by the family. Variants of the surname include Scharp, Scharpp, Scharppenwinkel, Scharpinkel, Scharpenwinkel, Scharwenke and Scharpf. Some other spellings of the surname include Sharpp, Sharppenwinkel, Sharpf, Sharpenwinkel, Sharwenke and Scharf.
Surnames of similar origin include Scharpenberg, Scharpf, Schropp, Scherger, Scharpenhauer, Scharfenberger and Scharffenberger. Other surnames that share similar spelling and/or meaning include Scharping, Sharping, and Sharpling.
Many immigrants to America have adopted alternative spellings of their names, such as Scharpenwinkel, Scharpinkel, Scharppenwinkel, and Scharpf. Thus, the surname has become more widespread in the United States due to anglicization. The variants of the surname Scharpwinkel are used in the Netherlands, Australia, South Africa and Canada, as well as in Germany.
In summary, the surname Scharpwinkel has various spellings, variants and descendants, and is found in multiple countries. It is likely that the family traces its roots to a prominent corner on a property they once owned.
Famous people with the name Scharpwinkel
- Nicole Scharpwinkel: German figure skater, specializing in artistic skating.
- Hilda Scharpwinkel: award-winning German equestrian, winning numerous championships in 1966 and 1969.
- Carl Scharpwinkel: German rower, who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics.
- Herman Scharpwinkel: German ethnomusicologist who specialized in Afro-Caribbean music.
- Manfred Scharpwinkel: German chemist and professor at the University of Konstanz.
- Solda Scharpwinkel: German competitive swimmer, winning multiple gold medals at national tournaments.
- Lorenzo Scharpwinkel: German musician, singer and songwriter, known for his unique jazz and blues-inspired style.
- Guido Scharpwinkel: German photographer and globetrotter, who traveled to more than 25 countries in the 1970s and 80s.
- Friederike Scharpwinkel: German judge and prominent feminist, advocating for women’s rights and gender equality in the legal system.
- Albert Scharpwinkel: German metal sculptor and craftsman, specializing in intricate abstract pieces and decorative household objects.