Surname Schitt - Meaning and Origin
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Schitt: What does the surname Schitt mean?
The last name Schitt is of German origin and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have originally been derived from the German personal name Schitte, and like many German last names, was most likely acquired through a patronymic name after the father's first name.
Schitt is a rare family name in the United States, and it is thought to have been brought over by German immigrants that settled in Pennsylvania in the 1700s. It is far more widely used in countries such as, Germany, Austria, and Hungary. In Germany, the name is most commonly distributed in Baden-Württemberg, and in Austria, its origin is typically associated with the city of Vienna.
The literal translation of Schitt is "wood shavings." This suggests that the family may have once been involved in woodworking, or perhaps even that the original bearer of the name had been a woodworker. It is also possible that the name came to be associated with an area where woodworking was known to take place.
In modern times, the Schitt family may have adopted a variety of meanings for their name, and it might now represent a combination of the family’s unique history and experiences, as well as a link to the ancient craftsmanship of woodworking.
Order DNA origin analysisSchitt: Where does the name Schitt come from?
The last name Schitt is thought to have originated in Germany, as it is most commonly found in the present day in western Europe and the United States, with the majority concentrated in the US and Canada. There is no clear origin for the name, but it is thought to be derived from a variety of German words, such as “schitzen” (to decorate), “schutz” (protection), “schiessen” (to shoot), and “schiffen” (to sail).
In the US, California is the state where the Schitt family name is most commonly found. Other states where the name is common include Texas, New York, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Florida. In Canada, the last name Schitt is most commonly found in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. The rest of Canada has a much lower concentration of the Schitt family name.
Outside of North America, the majority of Schitts live in Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Though family names don’t follow any specific pattern geographically, Schitts are often found in the western parts of these countries.
Overall, while the last name Schitt remains quite common in parts of North America and western Europe, it has mostly stayed within those areas. It’s hard to tell why this is the case as the name has no clear origin, but it’s likely that the Schitts have simply stayed within these regions since they first emerged.
Variations of the surname Schitt
The variant spellings and surnames of Schitt include Schitte, Schittt, Schite and Schittee. Schitte is the most common variant spelling, arising from Dutch origins. The original Dutch spelling and pronunciation of 'Schitt' is 'Schitt', while the variant spellings arise primarily from German influences on migration patterns.
The name Schitt stems from the Dutch word 'schitte' meaning 'laughing'. It is believed that the name was originally occupational, used to refer to professional jesters or clowns in the Middle Ages. This is supported by the Dutch word 'Schitteren', which means to shine or sparkle.
The surname Schitt is not extremely common. The majority of Schitts residing in the United States are descended from Dutch and German immigrants who arrived in the 17th and 18th centuries.
As with many surnames, there are other subtly different spellings of it. In the United States specifically, it's common to find the surname Schite or Schittee. This likely comes from the original Dutch or German spelling being Anglicised over the years.
The surname Schitt is also seen in other countries, such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland and Romania. In these countries, the spelling of the name may be seen as Schitte, Schittt, or Schittey.
With its varied spellings, the surname Schitt is a testament to the migration and influence of cultures across the continents. It is a legacy name with strong ties to its Dutch and German roots, and its variants continue to carry its original meaning of 'laughter'.
Famous people with the name Schitt
- Eugene Levy: Eugene Levy is a popular Canadian actor, writer, producer, and comedian who is best known for his role as the character Johnny Rose on the CBC sitcom Schitt's Creek.
- Dan Levy: Dan Levy is an actor, writer, and producer who is best known for co-creating and starring in the hit television show Schitt's Creek with his father Eugene Levy.
- Sarah Levy: Sarah Levy is an actress who is best known for her role as Twyla from Schitt's Creek.
- Catherine O'Hara: Catherine O'Hara is an actress, writer, singer, composer, and comedian who is best known for her role as Moira Rose in Schitt's Creek.
- Annie Murphy: Annie Murphy is an actress who is best known for her role as Alexis Rose in Schitt's Creek.
- Chris Elliott: Chris Elliott is an actor, comedian, and writer who is best known for his role as Roland Schitt in Schitt's Creek.
- Matt Baram: Matt Baram is an actor, writer, and comedian who is best known for his portrayal of Dusty Schitt in Schitt's Creek.
- Emily Hampshire: Emily Hampshire is an actress who is best known for her role as Stevie Budd in Schitt's Creek.
- Tim Rozon: Tim Rozon is an actor, producer, and entrepreneur who is best known for his role as Auto Schitt, the mayor of Schitt's Creek.
- Noah Reid: Noah Reid is an actor and singer who is best known for playing Patrick Brewer in Schitt's Creek.