Surname Schittelkopf - Meaning and Origin

Schittelkopf: What does the surname Schittelkopf mean?

Schittelkopf is a German toponymic surname. It is derived from the Middle High German noun “schittele”, meaning “cleft” or “gap” and the suffix “kopf” meaning “head”, “peak”, or “top”. Together, the term describes a location with a distinct cleft or gap at the top, such as a mountain valley or a gorge. The surname is believed to have originated as a result of someone living in this type of geological area.

Schittelkopf is a fairly rare surname and is found mainly in western Germany and parts of Austria and Switzerland. In modern Germany, it is estimated that there are fewer than 500 people bearing this surname. The highest concentrations of individuals bearing this name are located in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse.

The earliest recorded mention of the Schittelkopf surname appears in a 15th-century German manuscript. The name has been popular throughout German history, and many families bearing the surname can be traced back to this period.

Schittelkopf is a toponymic surname that originated in Germany, indicating someone who lived in a mountainous or hilly area with a distinct cleft or gap at the top. Although not particularly common today, the surname can be found across some parts of Europe, with the highest concentrations found in Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse. Records suggest that it has been around since at least the 15th century, and likely originated as an occupational surname for people living in this kind of locale.

Schittelkopf: Where does the name Schittelkopf come from?

The last name Schittelkopf is most commonly seen today in Germany, especially in Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia and Saxony-Anhalt. It is also present in some small numbers in other parts of the German speaking world, including the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein.

The German language variants for Schittelkopf include Schittelkop, Schittekopf, Schittelkopp, Schittekopp, and Schittlichkopf. It is unknown if or how these refer to any distinct origins or geographic locations. It may be possible that some regional variants of the family name originated separately in multiple locations over time.

German records show that families bearing this name can be traced back to at least the 13th century. At that time, it was a common family name in the region, particularly in the south. The earliest records indicated that it was held mainly by nobles, and possibly by clergy, although there are also records of the name among laborers and craftsmen.

Surnames derived from the given name Christian, a form of which was commonly used in medieval Germany, are said to be related to the Schittelkopf name. This suggests that the family either adopted the Christian name after settling in an area, or simply adopted it as a way to stand out from their neighbors.

In modern times, the family name has become less prevalent across the German speaking world as it is now a fairly uncommon name compared to what it was centuries ago.

Variations of the surname Schittelkopf

The surname Schittelkopf has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

The most common spelling is Schittelkopf. Other spellings include Schittlekopf, Schittelkoff, Schittlekoff and Schitalekoff.

Variants of the surname include: Schittelkopp, Schittlekopp, Schittlekoppen, Schittlekop, Schitalekopp and Schitalekopf.

The surname includes several regional variations, most notably the German spelling Schittelkopf, the Fourish spelling Schittlekopf, and the Dutch Schittelekopf.

Surnames with the same origin include Schillakopf, Schiltelkopf, Schiltelkopf and Schittel.

The spelling of the surname can also change depending on the country of origin or place of residence. In the United States, the surname is generally spelled Shittelkopf, whereas in southern Germany it is sometimes spelled Schettelkopf.

The surname has been found as early as the 18th century in Germany and France. During that time, the first known bearer of the surname was recorded in the Oberösterreich, Austria area.

The surname Schittelkopf is derived from a root word which literally means "head of a crop" or "head of the field". This suggests that the original family or progenitor of this surname likely worked as a farmer.

It is also possible that the surname was taken on as a symbol of a hardworking family.

This surname is relatively rare today, however, it still exists in parts of Austria, Germany, Switzerland and the United States.

Famous people with the name Schittelkopf

• Schittelkopf is an Austrian surname, and is likely derived from "Schindelkopf," which means "roof shingles." The first famous person associated with the surname is Jakob Schittelkopf, a Tyrolian sculptor who lived in the 18th century.
• Alfred Schittelkopf was a German industrialist who ran the Julius Schittelkopf Company, one of the largest producers of textiles in the 19th century.
• Don Schittelkopf, an American architect from New York, designed several notable buildings during the middle of the 20th century, including the Pacific Bell Building in San Francisco, California.
• Watson Schittelkopf was an American silent film director known for his melodramatic films of the 1920s.
• Horst Schittelkopf is a German Formula 1 racing driver who competed from 1987 to 2007, earning two pole positions and four podiums.
• Funny Or Die writer Lindy Schittelkopf is well known for her comedy videos featuring a variety of popular actors.
• Matilda Schittelkopf was a Canadian figure skater in the 1950s who won two silver medals in the World Figure Skating Championships.
• William Schittelkopf is a Polish-born actor who has appeared in a number of films over the past few decades.
• Robert Schittelkopf is an award-winning playwright and theatre director based in London, England.
• Harold Schittelkopf is a retired American lawyer and politician who served on the New York State Assembly from 1975 to 2003.

Other surnames

SchittelkopSchittelkopp