Surname Schierak - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schierak: What does the surname Schierak mean?
The last name Schierak is of German origin, meaning "one who cuts with a sickle". This was often a common job for someone living in a rural area in Germany. The name can be found in records dating back to the 18th century, primarily in the regions of Bavaria and Prussia.
The name is found commonly throughout Germany as well as within various German immigrant communities throughout the world. It has a long and proud tradition as a clan or family name amongst the German people.
Schierak was also a widely used occupational name in Germany, given to those individuals who worked as sickle cutters on farms or in related fields. It most likely derives from the Middle High German word, scheren, which means to cut or shear, and ake, which refers to edge or blade.
The surname Schierak is frequently found in the region around Munich, the capital of the German state of Bavaria. It is also popular in Central and Eastern Europe, as many Germans from throughout this region immigrated to North and South America throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisSchierak: Where does the name Schierak come from?
The last name Schierak is most commonly found in southern Germany, primarily Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. There are also small pockets of Schierak bearers in Poland, Austria, and parts of the Czech Republic.
In the 1800s, many people with this last name migrated to North America. Today, Schierak families can be found in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Many of them live in states with large German-American communities like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Texas. There are also sizable Schierak populations in California, New York, and Michigan.
In recent decades, some Schieraks have immigrated to Australia, New Zealand, and several other countries in Africa and Asia. The last name is particularly common in Colombia, where it is sometimes spelled “Schierra.”
Since Schierak is a rare last name, most members of this family are related to each other. Many of them can trace their ancestry back to a common ancestor who lived centuries ago in southeastern Germany. Today, some individuals with this name are doing genealogical research to reconnect with their extended family members. Overall, Schierak is a small but tight-knit global community.
Variations of the surname Schierak
Schierak is a surname of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word “schier”, meaning “clear or bright”. As a surname, it is typically spelled Schierak, though there are many variants including Schierack, Schierich, Schiurak, Scheirack, Scheurich, Sciryek, Schierke, Schirick, Schierig, Schreier, Schrayer, Schraye, Schrauer, Shirek, and more.
Schierak is most commonly found in the German states of Hessen, Sachsen-Anhalt, and Bavaria, but can also be found in Austria, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, and even parts of the USA.
Variant spellings of Schierak are often observed in different countries and regions. For example, Schierack is commonly found in Austria, Schierich or Scheurich is often seen in the southwestern part of Germany, and Scheirack is often found in the Rhineland.
The surnames Schrayer, Schraye, and Schrauer are believed to be derived from Schierak, and are most commonly found in the Bavarian region. This suggests that a specific region in Bavaria was likely a former ancestral home of the Schierak family before they spread out.
Meanwhile, the surnames Shirek, Schierke, and Schirick are most commonly found in the United States and Canada, suggesting that members of the family likely immigrated to North America sometime in the 19th or early 20th centuries.
No matter the spelling, the surname Schierak is a proud testament to centuries of family history and heritage.
Famous people with the name Schierak
- Cecilia Schierak: an Argentinian-American poet and author
- Stefan Schierak: an East German athlete who participated in the 1988 Olympics
- Bob Schierak: a former American professional tennis player
- Philipp Schierak: a German professional ice hockey player
- Tadeusz Schierak: a former Polish skier
- Margaret Schierak: a former Canadian swimmer
- Phil Schierak: a former Canadian ice hockey player
- Paul Schierak: a former German chess master
- Rhede Schierak: a highly successful female track athlete from Russia
- Margarita Schierak: a former Slovak biathlete