Surname Schikschnus - Meaning and Origin

Schikschnus: What does the surname Schikschnus mean?

The last name Schikschnus is an occupational surname of German origins, derived from the German word Schickse, meaning "watchman". The name likely originated from the occupation of an individual whose job it was to watch over an estate or some other property and ensure that it remained secure.

Etymologically, the name has roots in the Middle Low German words schike, meaning "to watch" or "to inspect", and schussen, meaning "guard" or "watchman". It is likely that these two words eventually combined to become the name Schikschnus.

Due to its occupational roots, the surname Schikschnus is typically found in German records and documents. It can also be seen sprinkled throughout other European countries, as German settlers, immigrants, and refugees were spread across many parts of the continent in the late medieval and early modern eras.

The name Schikschnus has existed in Germany for centuries, and was likely quite common in past generations. Today, while not as widely used as it once was, the name is still borne by many people throughout the German-speaking world.

Schikschnus: Where does the name Schikschnus come from?

The last name Schikschnus is not a particularly common name today, though it may be found in some countries with a German immigration history. For example, people bearing the Schikschnus surname have been found in records in Canada, the United States, Brazil, Argentina, and Australia.

The majority of Schikschnus surnames are believed to have originated in Germany. While there is no definitive answer as to how the name was derived, some speculate that it may have been taken from the German word "schickschnus," which means "bad luck." This could suggest that generations ago, those with the Schikschnus surname were known for having bad luck.

In recent years, the Schikschnus surname has become less common, due to the ever-decreasing number of German immigrants. Those who still bear the Schikschnus name can be found primarily in North, Central, and South America. In the United States, the states with the most significant number of Schikschnus surnames are Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Today, the Schikschnus surname is quite rare. Nevertheless, for those with this uncommon last name, knowing its potential origins can provide a more tangible sense of one's heritage and cultural background.

Variations of the surname Schikschnus

The surname Schikschnus is of German origin, and it has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames derived from it.

Common variants of Schikschnus include Schix, Schik, Schek, Schikkschnis, Schickau, Schopfer, Schupfer, Schiz, Shick and Schox. These variant spellings reflect the regional pronunciation and phonetic changes over time.

Historically, in Germany Schikschnus and its variants were used primarily as an occupational surname, derived from the Middle High German word “schikschneus” meaning “tailor” or “seamstress”. As such, the surname Schikschnus and its many derivatives were often given to tailor shop owners and people who worked in the clothing industry.

Schikschnus and its many derivatives have also been Anglicized over time, resulting in surnames such as Schexnayder, and English-language versions of the spelling such as Schits, Schitz, and Shicks.

In other countries, many different surnames derived from Schikschnus are in use. In Austria and Switzerland, Schikschnus is usually spelled Schiks, or Schiksen, and it is also found as Scheissen in Austria and neighbouring Czech Republic. In Spain and Portugal, it can appear as Xhixhes, Scheijs, or Sheijs. In Italy, it is found as Spicchioso, Scheijso, or Scijscinoso, while in France as Schuss and Schuetz.

Finally, in the United States, where many people of German descent live, Schikschnus can be found as Schexnayder, Schex, Schitz, Schits, or Shicks, as well as the original spelling Schikschnus.

Famous people with the name Schikschnus

• Wilfried Schikschnus: a German politician, former Member of the European Parliament from the 1989 to 2004 and member of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany from Brussels.
• Gerd Schikschnus: a computer scientist and former professional footballer who played for Vülhsener SV.
• Karl Schikschnus: a German former motor racing driver who competed in the German Formula Two championship.
• 26-year Norwegian wheelchair curler Ådne Schikschnus has been counted as one of the team members of Norway's Wheelchair Curling Team, playing curling at 2014 Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi.
• Mandy Schikschnus is an award-winning Dutch Actress, singer and dancer best known for her roles in Dutch Television's "Boer Zoekt Vrouw" and "De Jungle" serie.
• Johannes Schikschnus is a German designer and sculptor, whose work has been acknowledged by many residencies. He is well known for his sculpture installation works, often featuring abstracted animals.
• Anna Schikschnus is a German singer-songwriter, who garnered three top ten singles in her home country.
• Marcel Schikschnus is a German writer and director of comedies, thrillers and TV series for the last 20 years. His most recent work includes hits such as "Tatort" and "Ein Tag im Leben".
• Werner Schikschnus is a former Israelite minister, born in 1971, today serving as a CFO of the Southern Israelite Community in the Lower Saxony.
• Anna-Maria Schikschnus is an award-winning artist, who has been exhibiting her sculptures and installations in many museums and galleries around Europe.

Other surnames

Schikschneit