Surname Scherz - Meaning and Origin
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Scherz: What does the surname Scherz mean?
The last name Scherz is of German origin and is believed to denote someone who was a "joker" or who liked to make jokes or tell stories. It may also have originated as an occupational name for a storyteller or a minstrel. The surname is found all over Germany today, as well as in many other countries including the United States, Canada, and Israel.
In German, "scherz" means "joke" or "jest," and it comes from the Middle High German word "scherzen" which literally means "to make merry, to joke, or to talk liberally." It is likely that most people with the surname Scherz are descended from someone in their family who was known for their comedic talents.
Historically, it is likely that the name was first adopted by someone who worked entertaining others in a public setting, such as a market square or a traveler’s inn. People with this last name could have performed a variety of shows, including tightrope walking, juggling, musical acts, story telling, and comic lectures.
For many years, Scherz was a fairly common name in Germany, but it has decreased in popularity in recent years. That said, there are still people in Germany and many other countries who proudly carry the last name Scherz in honor of their family's tradition of humor and storytelling.
Order DNA origin analysisScherz: Where does the name Scherz come from?
Today, the last name Scherz is most commonly found in areas of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. It is a popular surname in Germany, where it ranks in the top 500 names and is estimated to be represented by around 1.5 million people. The name is derived from the German word "scherzen," meaning "joke."
In Switzerland, the last name Scherz is found in the cantons of Basel-Stadt, Zug, and Basel-Landschaft. It is in the top 500 names and currently estimated to have around 25-30,000 people named Scherz. While in Austria, it is in the top 600 surnames and estimated to be represented by around 1,500 individuals.
In the United States, the last name Scherz is quite uncommon but still present and continues to gain popularity. It ranks in the top 10,000 surnames with just over 4,000 individuals identified. The states with the most people owning the last name Scherz are New York, California, and Illinois.
Overall, the last name Scherz is found in several countries around the globe and it continues to grow in popularity. As the etymology of the surname suggests, it could all derive from a sense of humor, as those who bare such a name are likely to have a good attitude when it comes to life.
Variations of the surname Scherz
The surname Scherz is believed to have originated from the German word “scherz” meaning “jest”, “joke” or “play”. It is a common German surname that has been recorded in various different forms throughout history.
The most common variants of the surname Scherz in Germany are Schertz and Scherzinger, whilst the most common spellings are Schertz and Shertz. The spelling Shertz with an 'h' is believed to be an Americanised version of Scherz.
In terms of surnames of the same origin, there are various alternative surnames stemming from the same German word “scherz”. Scherzinger is probably the most commonly found surname of the same origin, whilst other surnames with the same word root include Scherzer, Schurz, and Schürzen.
In terms of German regional variations, the surname Scherz can also be found as Schruz, Schuri, Scherrz or Scherzinger. There are also some Jewish variants of the surname, including Schartz or Scharts.
The surname has spread beyond Germany and is now found throughout Europe and in many other countries. It can also be found in the USA, where the most common spellings are Shertz and Schertz. The Americanised versions of the name include Scherz, Scherzinger and Sherzer.
Other variants of the surname can also be found in other countries across the world, as the name spread from its German roots to other parts of Europe and beyond. Variants of the name can also be found in countries around the world such as Australia, Canada, South Africa and many others.
Famous people with the name Scherz
- TV presenter and comedian Michaela "Micky" Scherz
- Actor Nick Scherz
- Cinematographer Roland Scherz
- Computer Scientist Peter Scherz
- Physicist Stefan Scherz
- Chemist Ruth Scherz
- Top Chef contestant Tyron Schmidt
- Interior Designer Joshua Scherz
- Actor Chad Seychel
- Producer and Actor Paul Scherz