Surname Schießel - Meaning and Origin

Schießel: What does the surname Schießel mean?

The last name Schießel is a German surname meaning "archer" or "shooter". It is derived from the Middle High German word "schießen," meaning "to shoot" or "to fire a projectile."

The origin of the surname Schießel is likely to be related to the well-known medieval historical figure, the archer Walter von Schießel. The exact date of his birth is unknown, but through surviving documents, historians have placed his presence in the early to mid-13th century. Walter von Schießel was a professional soldier and a highly-skilled archer. He is often mentioned in stories about Frederick II of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, and it is assumed he served Emperor Frederick during the 13th century. It is very likely that the name Schießel can be traced to the accomplished medieval archer Walter von Schießel.

The surname is most commonly found among people living in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is especially associated with the region of Palatinate, where the family originally marked its home. The growth of the Schießel surname from a single medieval archer to a widespread name is a testament to both the lasting legacy of Walter von Schießel and the remarkable spread of German-speaking people throughout Europe over the course of hundreds of years.

Schießel: Where does the name Schießel come from?

The last name Schießel is most commonly found in Germany today, specifically in the states of Saxony, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "schisel," meaning "axe," and while the surname likely began as a nickname for an axe-wielding individual, its meaning could have changed over the centuries and may no longer be associated with an axe.

The Schießel family originated in the village of Schönau an der triesting in the Wienerwald, Vienna's ancient ancient forest. Records from the 17th and 18th centuries indicate that the Schießel family lived in the area during that time. For centuries, the family was mostly small landowners, although some members later moved to larger cities, such as Vienna and Berlin. In more recent times, the Schießel family has spread to other parts of Germany and beyond.

Today, the Schießel name is found in several countries, including the United States, Australia, and Canada, although its prevalence is much lower than in Germany. In the U.S., for instance, the name is relatively rare — it ranks at around 42,456th place in terms of popularity, according to census records. It is, however, much more common in the German-speaking regions of South Tyrol and Austria.

All in all, the last name Schießel is most common in Germany today, but it is also found in several other countries. While Schießel is still quite rare, recent evidence suggests that new Bearers of the name are still emerging.

Variations of the surname Schießel

The surname Schießel is of German origin, with variant spellings and surnames of the same origin of Schiessel, Schissel, and Shissel. It is a name derived from the ancient Germanic given name Sigi, which is derived from several Proto-Indo-European words meaning “victory” and “protection”. The name was particularly popular in the Middle Ages. It was borne by a 7th century Lombard duke and a 12th century German duke.

The spelling of Schießel is most common in the regions of Saxony and Thuringia in Germany. It is also in use elsewhere in Germany, as well as in countries with large German-speaking populations such as Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

Variant spellings of the surname Schießel are also found. Schiessel is the most common alternate spelling, and may be found with various surname suffixes such as -er and -mann. The variant spelling Shissel may be encountered in the United States, particularly among the Pennsylvania Dutch.

Surnames of the same origin that are spelled differently but can be linked to Schießel include Siegle, Siegl, Seigle, Sigel, Siegler, Sigler, and Siegling. The surname Sieble is also related to Schießel, but has a different origin, deriving from an old Saxon personal name, Sigebeorht, meaning “victory bright”.

Other variants of the same surname include Sigelmann, Sigelman, Zigelman, Zigelmann, Sigelman, Sigeler, Zigler, and Ziglar. All of these surnames are related to Schießel through their common Germanic origin.

As is often the case with surnames, different spelling variations can be found in different countries and regions, depending on the influences of local languages and dialects. It is important to bear this in mind when researching the history of a family surname.

Famous people with the name Schießel

• Patrick Schießel: German racing driver
• Heike Schießel: German curler
• John Schießel: German-born actor
• Stefan Schießel: German football player
• Norbert Schießel: German art director
• Thomas Schießel: German swimmer
• Herbert Schießel: German opera singer
• Matthias Schießel: German ski jumper
• Wolfgang Schießel: German politician
• Cornelius Schießel: German actor
• Ferdinand Schießel: German composer
• Friedrich Schießel: German theologian
• Joachim Schießel: German astronaut
• Paul Schießel: Austrian librarian
• Dieter Schießel: German football coach
• Willi Schießel: German football player
• Carola Schießel: German swimmer
• Herbert Schießel: German classical musician
• Johannes Schießel: German botanist
• Ludwig Schießel: German theatre actor

Other surnames

Schießer