Surname Schetz - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schetz: What does the surname Schetz mean?
The last name Schetz is of German origin and is derived from the Old German word “Schoz”, which translates to “builder” or “maker”.
Schetz is a very common last name in Germany and can be found in many variations such as Schoetz, Schoetzle, Scherz and Schutz. It is estimated that there are more than 3 million people with this last name in Germany alone.
The Schetz surname is also found in other countries; for example, it is the third most common surname in Switzerland and can be found in Austria, Hungary, the Netherlands and the United States.
Schetz families can trace their origins back to various regions and times in Germany. It is believed that the earliest known Schetz family was from the area of Swabia, located in southwestern Germany in the late 1500s.
The Schetz family was well known for its wide talents and skills, such as metal working, stone carving, pottery making, carpentry, and engineering. This reputation of being a talented and hard-working family has since been passed down through the generations.
The Schetz name remains prevalent today, especially throughout Germany, serving as a reminder of the family’s past and its continued legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisSchetz: Where does the name Schetz come from?
The last name Schetz is an uncommon name today. However, it is primarily found in countries located in Central and Eastern Europe, such as Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. In particular, it is most concentrated in Germany and Austria. Within Germany, Schetz appears to be more common in the western region than in the eastern region.
Schetz is of Germanic origin, meaning "shield". It could be a patronymic surname, denoting someone related to a person known as Schetz, or even an occupational surname referring to a shield-maker. It is also speculated that the name Schetz could be derived from a place name like Schetsch, a city located in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
In the United States, the number of people bearing the last name Schetz is quite small. US Census Bureau statistics from 1990 revealed that there were only 311 people with the last name Schetz in the entire country. The number is expected to be even lower today. However, in some countries located in Central and Eastern Europe, the last name is more common, and there are more people with the name Schetz living in those countries.
Variations of the surname Schetz
Schetz is an occupational surname which originated in Switzerland, and is a term used to describe a Swiss banker. Schetz is spelled in a number of ways, including Schetse, Schets, Schetser, Schatze, Schatzer, and Schatz, among others. All of these point to a single origin.
The surname likely arose due to Switzerland's long history of banking and its importance in European economics. As a result, many people who worked as bankers in Switzerland took on the surname Schetz. The name is derived from the German verb "schätzen," which has the meanings of "to appreciate, to value, and to estimate," calling attention to the preferred profession of those bearers of the Schetz name.
Variations in spelling arose over time, based upon the dialects of various regions, or the preferences of individual families. For example, the Dutch spelling of Schetz is Schatze, while the French spelling is Schatzer.
The surname has spread beyond Switzerland over time, and is now found among different nations throughout Europe and the world. This is likely due to the migration of Swiss bankers throughout Europe and the globe.
In addition to its alternate spellings, the surname Schetz has also been altered through the generations due to changes in pronunciation, misspellings, and hypercorrections. For instance, "Bots" is a variation that developed from a mishearing of the frequently used "Schetz," and "Schutz" was a common hypercorrection written by people who assumed that the vocalization of the name sounded more like German than Swiss dialect.
Famous people with the name Schetz
- Peter Schetz, Dutch diplomat
- Florian Schetz, Belgian footballer
- Louis Albert de Broglie-Schetz, 6th Duke de Broglie
- Philippe de Schétré, French composer
- Lydia Schetz, Curator of Drawings at the National Gallery of Art
- Johann-Diedrich Schetz, German zoologist
- Joe Schetz, American basketball coach
- Carl Patrick de Quillfeldt Schetz, Swedish physicist
- Gabi Schetz, German actor
- Christian Schetz, Belgian cartographer