Surname Schittenhelm - Meaning and Origin
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Schittenhelm: What does the surname Schittenhelm mean?
The last name Schittenhelm is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word “schittenhelme”, meaning “shield helmet” or “helmet made of split leather”. The surname was probably given to a blacksmith who specialized in making such headgear.
This name likely originated in the Upper Rhine region of Germany, particularly in the areas of Alsace and Baden-Württemberg. In the Middle Ages, this region was known for producing many craftsmen and skilled artisans, and Schittenhelm was likely among them.
Other forms of the name include Schittenhel, Schittenhalm and Schittenheim. These all give a sense of the origin of the name – from a blacksmith who specialized in making split leather helmets. For many centuries, helmets were an essential piece of armor in many armies and would have been a highly sought-after product.
Today, the Schittenhelm surname remains fairly common in Germany. It is also found in France, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, and other countries. Though the historical purpose of the name is mostly lost on modern generations, it can still be a source of pride to those who bear the Schittenhelm name.
Order DNA origin analysisSchittenhelm: Where does the name Schittenhelm come from?
The last name Schittenhelm is most commonly found around Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is likely that the name originated in one of these Germanic countries.
In Germany, most people with this last name can be found in the western and southwestern regions, particularly in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg. In Austria, the main concentration of Schittenhelms is in the capital of Vienna and its surrounding area.
In the United States, there are a few pockets of Schittenhelms, particularly in Pennsylvania, New York, and the midwest, with larger numbers in the states of Illinois and Wisconsin. It is unknown when the first Schittenhelms immigrated to the United States, but the name was present in the country before World War II.
The Schittenhelm family name is still used in Germany today and is sometimes spelled as Shittenhelm, Schittenholz, Schetinhelms, Schittinhelms, or Shittenhalms. As the name is very uncommon outside of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, it is likely that most people with this name today are descended from the same Schittenhelm family.
Variations of the surname Schittenhelm
The surname Schittenhelm has various variants and spellings around the world. In Germany, the surname may be written as Schittenhelm or Schittenheimm, both of which are derived from the Middle High German word “schittin,” meaning “pillar.” In North America, including Canada and the United States, the name is typically spelled Schittenhelms.
In the Netherlands the name can be written as Schittenhels, which comes from the Dutch word for “pillars,” schutten. In England and Scotland the name may be written as Shittenhelm or Shittenheym, both of which are derived from German and Dutch ancestor settlers of the surname.
In France the name is spelled Schiteuleau, derived from the Latin word “siteu” meaning “pillar,” and in the East the name is spelled Schitailmass, an Eastern European variant of the Middle High German name.
Other variants of the surname Schittenhelm include Schitt, Schitting, Schitten, Schittener, and Schitte. All of these are derived from the German word “schittin” or “pillar” and reflect the various spellings of the surname in different countries and languages.
Famous people with the name Schittenhelm
- Paul Schittenhelm: A German physicist responsible for inventing the Schittenhelm generator
- Alexander Schittenhelm: A German army general of the World War I era.
- Christoph Schittenhelm: A German politician and member of the German Federal Parliament.
- Ludwig Schittenhelm von Lindenschmitt: A Bavarian general in World War I.
- Florian Schittenhelm: A German actor and director known for his work on the television show “The Golden Girls”.
- Gustav Schittenhelm: A German politician and mayor of Freiburg im Breisgau.
- Hermann Schittenhelm: A German tenor and vocalist.
- Captain Wilhelm Schittenhelm: A Prussian officer in charge of the 8th Jaeger Battalion during the Franco-Prussian war.
- Dr. Ernst Schittenhelm: A German doctor and founder of the historic Schittenhelm Clinic.
- Udo Schittenhelm: A German sculptor and painter.