Surname Schikentanz - Meaning and Origin
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Schikentanz: What does the surname Schikentanz mean?
The last name Schikentanz is thought to be of German origin and is derived from the word "schikentanz," which in German can be translated to mean "dancing." The word has two elements: the first, "schi," can mean "chase, hunt, pursue, seek, or pursue in a playful manner"; the second, "kentanz," comes from the root word "tanz," which means "dance." Together, Schikentanz can be interpreted to mean a kind of playful pursuit or searching out of a dance partner.
It is believed that the surname Schikentanz could have eventually earned several variants in spelling, including Schickentanz, Schickhedenz, Schickhantiz, and Schichentant. This last name was probably borne by several different families who all lived in different parts of Germany and had different occupations.
Historically, the Schikentanz surname refers to someone who was a dancer or even dance instructor. This kind of occupation was once popular in Germany and it is not uncommon to find surnames linked to trades and occupations, such as this one. Other examples of such surnames include Schneider (tailor), Schreiber (scribe), and Koch (cook).
Today, the Schikentanz last name is mostly found amongst those with German ancestors or heritage. The name still carries a tie to dancing, however, and is held with a typical German sentiment of quality and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisSchikentanz: Where does the name Schikentanz come from?
The last name Schikentanz is a surname of German origin, still most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Europe such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It can also be found in other countries with large populations of German immigrants and their descendants, such as the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Brazil.
The name is derived from the German phrase 'Schiekentanz' which refers to a type of military dance that originated in the 16th century. The meaning of the name is loosely translated as 'march and dance'.
Since there is no record of how many people actually bear this surname today, it is difficult to pin down the exact regional distribution of Schikentanz. However, it can be assumed that it is found most densely in its original region of origin, as well as in other countries with large populations of German immigrants and their descendants.
The origins of the surname are obscure, and it is difficult to trace its history with any accuracy. It is possible that the Schikentanz name was adopted from a geographically specific location from which a family may have once originated, such as a town or village. However, this remains unconfirmed.
Overall, the last name Schikentanz appears to be quite rare today, although it remains rooted in a long and interesting history. People bearing the name may be able to trace their ancestry back to the German-speaking countries of Europe, or even further afield if their families have emigrated over the centuries. Though people bearing the Schikentanz name may be few and far between, it is likely that their presence has spread far around the world.
Variations of the surname Schikentanz
The surname Schikentanz is of German origin, with the name deriving from the word ‘schi’, meaning to cut, and ‘tanz’, meaning dance. Spellings of this surname can vary slightly, such as Schiktanz, Schiketanz and Schickentanz.
Variants of the name, including the spelling variations, describe people who were skilled dancers or those who liked to dance. Other variants of this name include Schickencenze, Schickencence, Schickenchenze, Schickenchence, Schickecenze, and Schickecence. All of these spellings have their origins in the same German name, with variant spellings likely stemming from pronunciation issues.
Other surnames that have a similar origin to Schikentanz include Schiklin, Schickedanz, Schickerling, and Schickert. Surnames such as Schiklin, Schickedanz, and Schickerling are more closely related to Schikentanz as they share similar spellings and pronunciation.
While Schickert does not have a pronounced ‘z’ at the end, as does Schikentanz, it still has a similar meaning. The name Schickert is derived from the German word ‘schikern’, which also means to dance. All of these surnames, therefore, share a common origin, and it is likely that those who bear them will be related in some way, either through family or region.
Famous people with the name Schikentanz
- Gustav Schikentanz: German gymnast and tug of war competitor who won a team gold medal at the 1908 Summer Olympic Games for Germany
- Mathilde Schikentanz: German classical ballerina who has performed with the Deutsche Oper Berlin and other classical dance companies
- Jeff Schikentanz: American voice actor who has provided the voices for various games, television series, and films
- Friedrich Schikentanz: German painter, sculptor, and graphic designer who worked in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
- Lisa Schikentanz: a German actress who has appeared in several television shows, films, and theatre productions
- Werner Schikentanz: a German football coach and former player who most recently managed Carl Zeiss Jena in the top division of German football
- Gustav Schikentanz Jr.: son of Gustav Schikentanz and German gymnast who competed in the 1952 Summer Olympic Games for West Germany
- Max Schikentanz: German music journalist and record producer who founded the first major German jazz label
- Susanne Schikentanz: German flautist and composer, who has been a member of the Radiosimfonify Orchestra “Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester” since 2004
- Jacob Schikentanz: German mathematician who specialized in algebraic geometry and probability theory and was awarded the Fields Medal in 1896