Surname Schetter - Meaning and Origin
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Schetter: What does the surname Schetter mean?
The surname Schetter is of German origin, but its exact meaning is not clearly defined. It is possibly derived from the Middle High German word 'schetære' which referred to an archer or crossbowman. This suggests that the original bearers of the surname may have been archers or bowmen. There's also a chance that it is related to the word 'scheitern,' which means to fail or break down, but it is less likely to have a negative connotation. Like many surnames, it might refer to a geographic location, profession or a personal characteristic. It's important to note that meanings of surnames can be influenced by various factors over time. Therefore, the current meaning could be different from its historical context.
Order DNA origin analysisSchetter: Where does the name Schetter come from?
The last name Schetter is most commonly found in Germany today. According to Ancestry.com, between 1900 and 2014 there have been over 10,000 people in the United States with the last name. While the majority of these individuals are of German decent, the name is also found in other European countries such as Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
In Germany, “Schetter” is quite common in some regions and almost unheard of in others. In the region of Rheinland Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate), for example, the name appears most frequently in records and directories. Other popular regions for the name include Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia) and Saxony.
In terms of its distribution, the name tends to be concentrated in the south-central part of Germany and in cities such as Frankfurt, Münster, Bochum, and Düsseldorf. It is also widely found in larger urban areas such as Berlin, Hamburg, and Stuttgart.
The “Schetter” name is a very old, respected name in Germany, originating in the Middle Ages. It is a combination of two old German words, “Scheite” (Indicating wood) and “er” (Indicating a person from a particular place). This suggests that the name may have developed as a way to identify people from a particular town where wood was collected.
Variations of the surname Schetter
Schetter is a surname of German origin and can be spelled in several different ways, such as Schatter, Schatte, Schotter, and Schattermann. The name Schetter is found in both German and Dutch records, and in the United States, it is associated primarily with America’s German-speaking populations.
The Schatter variant of the Schetter surname is likely derived from the German word ‘Schatte’, meaning ‘shade’ or ‘shadow’. It could have referred to the type of work a family did, in that they worked in the shade of buildings or beneath trees. It is also likely be associated with a nickname for a ‘dark’ or ‘shadowy’ person.
The Schotter variant is likely derived from the German word ‘Schotter’, which means ‘gravel’. This variant could be used to describe a family that was associated with the production or use of gravel.
The Schattermann variant of the Schetter surname is likely derived from the German word ‘Schattermann’, meaning ‘shadow man’, and is likely an occupational surname. It is also found in Dutch records and likely originated from immigrants who were settled in the Netherlands.
Variants of the Schetter surname are found in all German-speaking countries, and the United States. It is also found in France and some other European countries as a result of German immigrants who settled in these countries. It remains a common surname both in Europe and in the United States, and is a popular Americanized spelling.
Famous people with the name Schetter
- Bernhard Schetter: a renowned political scientist, prominently known for his long career in domain-specific research such as democracy, perception of authority, and migration.
- Eric Schetter: an American actor, known for his roles in the television series Fringe and Longmire.
- David Schetter: a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2005 to 2007.
- John Schetter: an award-winning jazz pianist, composer, educator and musical director.
- Carole Schetter: a professor emerita in the department of linguistics at the University of Pennsylvania.
- Jake Schetter: a professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the UFC’s heavyweight division.
- Peter Schetter: a well-known contemporary aboriginal artist from the Pitjantjatjara and Luritja people of Central Australia.
- Maureen Schetter: an American artist, sculptor, and teacher.
- Bob Schetter: an American actor, best known for his roles in hit movies such as National Treasure, The Proposal, and The Hangover.
- John Schetter: a former rugby league player from Australia who played for Australia’s national team in the 1951 World Cup.