Surname Schermer - Meaning and Origin
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Schermer: What does the surname Schermer mean?
The last name Schermer is a German and Dutch surname derived from the Middle High German word 'Schermer' meaning scytheman. This surname is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary suggesting that it originated in these regions.
In German, this surname is most found in the northern and western regions of the country. It is believed to have been derived from a medieval occupation as someone who made scythes and other tools. At the time, it was an important job as scythes were used mainly for cutting grass to feed animals, and for combining and threshing grains.
The last name Schermer is found mostly among Protestant families in the Netherlands and in regions that were formerly part of the German Empire, such as the Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, and Austria. It is also found in the United States, where individuals with this name have emigrated. The Schermer genealogy traces back to 12th century Germany.
Schermer is a relatively unusual name, being found in Germany in just over 3,000 households, and in the Netherlands in around 907 households. Thus, those with the last name Schermer have a rich history and a unique heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisSchermer: Where does the name Schermer come from?
The last name Schermer is a common Dutch surname that appears in a variety of countries today, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.
In the Netherlands, Schermer is a particularly common name, although not quite as widespread as it was in the 17th century when Dutch people began settling in the country’s northern provinces. Today, it is one of the most common surnames in the provinces of Noord-Holland, Utrecht, Gelderland, and Friesland. As of 2018, nearly 5,500 individuals were registered with the last name Schermer in the Netherlands.
In Belgium, the last name has been present since at least the 15th century, but its usage has started gradually decreasing in recent centuries. In Germany, the surname is most common in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Berlin, while in Austria it is primarily found in the states of Vorarlberg and Tyrol. Switzerland counts around 500 individuals with the last name Schermer, most of them living in the eastern part of the country, and the United States hosts some 500 individuals from this family name, most of them living in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, California, and Illinois.
Variations of the surname Schermer
Schermer is a surname with multiple variants, spellings, and surnames that all originate from the same source. The most commonly encountered variant is Schermerhorn which is of Dutch origin. Other Dutch variants include von Schirmers, Schurmers, and Schurmerbeek. These variants and spellings are all based off of the Middle Dutch word “schirmer” which is an occupational term for a tax collector.
It’s possible that the original bearer of the Schermer surname was someone who worked in or was associated with collections of taxation. Over time, the name was adapted to various European languages and resulted in a variety of spelling and pronunciation variations. Some other related surnames include Schemmer, Schamer, Schermmer, Schirmherr, Schemers, and Schermacher.
In the United States, the Schermer surname became Americanized to Sherman. This variant still exists in the United States today. Other Americanized variations include Shearman, Shearmer, Scharman, Sharkman, and Sharman. These last few variations are unique to the Americanized version of the surname.
It’s interesting to note that some spelling variations are based on how the surname was pronounced in the language it was being spoken at the time. This is why the original Middle Dutch term “schirmer” eventually became the Spanish/Portuguese variant “Escarment”.
Overall, the Schermer surname has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames that all trace back to the same origin. It is a living legacy that has endured through the centuries and provides an interesting glimpse into how language and culture has evolved over time.
Famous people with the name Schermer
- Bill Schermer: American politician
- Lauren Schermer: Australian drag queen
- Matthew Schermer: American contemporary artist
- Willi Schermer: German (East German) athlete
- Judith Schermer: Dutch actress
- Lysander Schermer: American game producer
- Mike Schermer: American musician
- Elliott Schermer: American stand-up comedian
- Rune Schermer: Danish football player
- Elinor Schermer: American illustrator