Surname Schieve - Meaning and Origin

Schieve: What does the surname Schieve mean?

Schieve is an occupational surname derived from the Middle English word “sieve,” which means “to sift.” As an occupational surname, it denotes someone who worked as a sifter or a strainer, a job which may have been related to a miller’s occupation. This job was essential in homes and people who made a living by performing the sorting process may have changed their last name to “Schieve” in order to distinguish themselves from others.

“Schieve” can also be found in German, Dutch, and Scandinavian variants. In German, it’s commonly spelled “Sieven” and in Dutch it’s spelled “Sievens.” The many variants of the name are indicative of the many different countries and regions where the name was transported when families migrated.

Included in the many different spellings is the variant “Schive,” which is common amongst families who emigrated to the United States in the mid-1800s from Germany. The purpose of that move was to escape religious persecution and to start a new life.

The Schieve surname is rooted in history of familial migration, character, and occupation. Its variants and spellings are reflective of its ability to travel the world in the migration of families and to take on new meanings. Last names are an integral part of our identity, and the Schieve surname helps to tell the story of the people whose lives it was passed through.

Schieve: Where does the name Schieve come from?

The last name Schieve is found mostly in the United States and Canada today. It is a relatively uncommon name, with few records of its usage in other countries. According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, in 2018 around 30 people per million bore the last name Schieve[1]. This is quite low compared to the most popular last name in the United States, Smith, which according to the same source had more than 5,000 people per million in the same year[2]. The vast majority of those with the surname Schieve live in the United States, with Ontario, Canada following after.

The origin of the name is uncertain; some suggest it is of Scandanavian or German descent. It may have originated from the German word “Siegen”, which translates to “victory” or “success”[3], or “schieven”, which is of Dutch or Belgian origin and means “to shift or move”[4].

Regardless of its origin, the name Schieve is a distinct and rare one. Its low population and the geographic contrasts between its concentrations have led to a unique label for those who bear it.

[1] https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/name.html

[2] Ibid.

[3] https://www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=schieve

[4] Ibid.

Variations of the surname Schieve

Schieve is a surname of French origin, also spelled Schiev, Schieves, and Schieverse. It is believed to be derived from the word sévice, meaning a “servant,” indicating the progenitor of the family was a servant.

Variants of Schieve include Schieves, Schiev and Schieverse. They are all derived from Schieve and the other spellings are simply a result of different time periods and regional dialects creating variations in spelling patterns.

Schieves is a variant of the surname Schieve and appears to be a more common Anglo-American spelling. It comes from the Old French sévice and derives from the Latin servitium or service, meaning servant.

Schiev is an alternate spelling of Schieve and is a short version of the name. It is believed to have originated from the Old French sévice.

Schieverse is an alternate spelling of Schieve and may have originated from the Latin servitium or service. It is also another possible spelling of the Old French sévice.

In conclusion, Schieve is a surname of French origin and other variants include Schieves, Schiev, and Schieverse. These spellings are a result of modifications to the surname over time due to time periods and regional dialects. All of these spellings have the same origin and meaning: service, or servant.

Famous people with the name Schieve

• Matthew Schieve, former professional lacrosse player
• Kristen Schieve, professional golf player
• Shawn Schieve, professional baseball player
• Max Schieve, amateur FIFA player
• John Schieve, American author and screenwriter
• Tim Schieve, American actor
• Blake Schieve, American actor
• Tiana Schieve, fashion blogger
• Frederick Schieve, American attorney and former member of Congress
• Mick Schieve, professional photographer

Other surnames

SchieberlSchiechelSchiechlSchieckSchieckeSchieckelSchiedSchiedatSchiedelSchiedemairSchiedemannSchiederSchiedererSchiedermaierSchiedermairSchiedermayerSchiedermayrSchiedermeierSchiedhelmSchiedlSchiedlerSchiedlmeierSchiedmaierSchiedmannSchiedmeyerSchiedrumpfSchiedtSchiedungSchiefSchiefbahn