Surname Scherzinger - Meaning and Origin
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Scherzinger: What does the surname Scherzinger mean?
The last name Scherzinger originated from Germanic regions and is today most prevalent in Germany and other parts of Europe. It is derived from the word 'Schenesinger’ which literally translates to ‘shining singer’ in English. This reflects the families that traditionally claimed to the name were a group of singers choir or minstrels that traveled from place to place. These performers would often spread news, stories and poetry as well as providing entertainment to those they visited.
The Scherzinger families held a respected and highly praised reputation due to their family commitments, often preserving folk stories as they passed from generation to generation. The popularity of the family name is reflective of importance these artists held in the regions during the 16th century, and as different paths of migration were taken, this surname spread to other areas such as the United States.
Today, the surname Scherzinger may have become outdated in a sense, with less emphasis placed on choirs and performers. However, it remains a popular surname in many European countries and a reminder of the importance of folk culture. Additionally, the popular American singer and television personality, Nicole Scherzinger, has also aided in increasing the awareness of the surname around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisScherzinger: Where does the name Scherzinger come from?
The last name Scherzinger is most commonly found today in Austria and Germany. It's a Germanic surname which likely originated in the medieval era.
The first record of the Scherzinger name is from the year 1431 when a Hans Scherzinger is mentioned in a Weistum court record. This document is a list of public announcements or legal writs, which most likely places the origin of the family name in the Odenwald region of Germany.
Nowadays, Scherzinger is the 42,316th most popular name in Austria, making it a relatively rare last name. It is still more popular in countries where German is spoken, likely because it originated in Germany.
The surname is often still found in areas with historic German-speaking communities, such as South Tyrol in Italy. It is also common in the United States where many Germans migrated during the 19th century. Some of the descendants of these 19th-century immigrants still bear the last name Scherzinger.
The most famous bearer of the name is undoubtedly singer Nicole Scherzinger, who catapulted it to global fame after she rose to international stardom in the late 2000s.
Variations of the surname Scherzinger
The surname Scherzinger is a German and Swiss surname derived from the Old German words “scherz” meaning “to joke” and “inger”, a suffix denoting “descendant of”. Common variants of the name include Scherzinger, Scherzing, Scherzin, Scherzinger, Sherzinger, and Shurzinger. It is occasionally also spelled without the “h” as Scerzinger, Sergeinger, Serzing, and Serzinger.
In other cases, the surname may be spelled using the German dialects, including “Shcherzinger”, “Scherzigen”, “Scherzinig”, “Scherziner”, and “Scherzengen”. All of these variants ancestral reference from the same root word.
Other surnames derived from the same root word include Scherzger, Scherzinger, Schurzinger, Sherzinger, Schurz, and Scherger.
Other surnames also exist that are derived from a similar root word, such as Scher, Scherer, Scherl, Scherm, Schermann, Schur, Schorr, Schopp, and Schubert. These may or may not originate from the same root word as Scherzinger, but have a similar nuanced meaning.
Scherzinger is an uncommon surname, with only a few thousand—thousands of those who carry it are found primarily in Germany and Switzerland, speaking the local German dialects. However, outside of Central Europe, the name is much less common, with sparse appearances in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Famous people with the name Scherzinger
- Nicole Scherzinger: Nicole Scherzinger is an American singer, dancer, actress, and television personality. She rose to fame in the early 2000s as the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, a popular girl group. She has since enjoyed a prolific solo career, as well as a stint on the popular television show “The X Factor.”
- Reverand Lawrence Scherzinger (aka Father Lawrence J. Scherzinger): Father Lawrence was an American Catholic priest and a renowned scholar of the Catholic Church, especially renowned for his work on the Papal office and Catholic social thought.
- Julian Scherzinger: Julian Scherzinger is a British-born drummer, songwriter and producer. He has released a number of solo dedicated and group projects, as well as working with top artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Take That, Robbie Williams and Miley Cyrus.
- Ken Scherzinger: Ken Scherzinger is a US Soccer coach and a former player. He is currently the head men’s soccer coach for the Colorado School of Mines and has previously held positions at Princeton University and the University of Pittsburgh.
- Zack Scherzinger: Zack Scherzinger is an American film and television composer and vocalist. He has written soundtracks for shows like “American Horror Story,” “iCarly” and “Saturday Night Live.” He has also released two solo albums and collaborated with other artists.