Surname Schlager - Meaning and Origin
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Journey of Discovering the Schlager Lineage Through iGENEA DNA Analysis: A Personal Reflection
Discovering the origins of my surname, Schlager, with the iGENEA DNA analysis was insightful and illuminating. Going through this journey, the analysis transcended biological decoding and became a voyage of self-discovery, tracing back my roots to Central Europe, and revealing an intriguing blend of different cultures.
H. Schlager
read moreSchlager: What does the surname Schlager mean?
The last name Schlager is a German name originating from the Middle Ages. The root of the name is Schlage, which means "lock," and the suffix -er denotes a "doer" or "practitoner" of the activity described by the root word. Thus, the name essentially means "lockmaker" or "lock keeper."
The word Schlage also refers to the medieval locksmith guilds - often referred to as Schlager - that were responsible for forming and enforcing standards for the production and repair of locks and other security devices. It is believed that the Schlager surname first appeared during the Middle Ages, derived from the name of these ancient guilds.
Today, the surname Schlager and its variations (Schlater, Schlager, Schlesinger, Schlutz, etc.) are widespread throughout German-speaking countries, especially in central and southeastern Germany. Additionally, many Schlager family members can be found in other areas of the world, including North America, South America, and Europe.
Overall, the Schlager surname is likely derived from a German occupational name, which suggests that its earliest bearers were members of lockmakers guilds during the Middle Ages. It is therefore a unique and historically significant family name with interesting roots.
Order DNA origin analysisSchlager: Where does the name Schlager come from?
The last name Schlager is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. It is of German origin, and is derived from the word "schlagen," which means "to strike." It may have been an occupational name for someone who worked as a hammerman – someone who crafted tools and objects from metal.
In Germany, Schlager is the 867th most common surname, according to the 2020 population data. In Austria, it ranks 87th. It has spread to other countries such as the United States (where it ranks 5,637th) and Canada (where it ranks 6,378th) thanks to German and Austrian immigration.
The variant spellings of the surname include Schlager, Lossmann and Lossman, among others. Schlager is also often anglicized to Slager or Slagar.
The Schlager surname is typically found in areas in and around Bavaria, the Palatinate region, and Baden-Wurttemberg in Germany, as well as Vienna and Lower Austria in Austria. There are also Schlagers living in other areas of Germany, Austria, as well as Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and other countries around the world.
The Schlager surname today is associated with a wide variety of professions, including scholars, civil engineers, architects, authors, musicians, and more. Most Schlagers live quiet, peaceful, and productive lives within their respective communities.
Variations of the surname Schlager
The surname Schlager is of German origin and can be spelt in many variations, including Schlag, Schlahger, Schlahgher, Schlaeger, Schlager, Schlaager, Schlaegher, Schlagerr, Schlagman, Schlaghmann, Schlagmann, Schlahman, Schlahmann, Schleager, Schlegar, Schleghar, Schlegher, Schliager, Schligar, Schliger, Schligger, Schlinger, Schluger, Slager, Slaager, Slahger, Slaeger, Slager, Slahger, Slegar, Sleggar, Slegge, Sleggere, Slegher, Sliager, Sligar, Sliger, Sligman, Sligmann, Sliger, Slugg, Slowman, and Zlagerman.
Surnames that are historically related to Schlager, including variants of the name, can be found in many other countries including Austria, Bohemia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland.
Schlager is derived from the Middle High German word “Slac,” meaning “contest.” As a result, the surname is thought to have come from an occupational source—someone who either competed in or organized competitions or tournaments. It is also possible that Schlager is a topographic name, describing someone who lived near a tournament ground or other event.
In addition to its original German spelling, the surname may have been altered by immigrants to English-speaking countries, where spelling variations were more common. It is important to note that variations of the name might not share the same origin or be related to one another at all.
Famous people with the name Schlager
- Conchita Wurst is an Austrian singer and drag queen best known for winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014 with the song “Rise Like a Phoenix”. Her real name is Thomas Neuwirth and her stage name is a combination of her mother's Spanish maiden name “Wurst” and the German word for shawl, “Schlager”.
- Kurt Schlager was the President of the German Football Association (DFB) from 2001 to 2004.
- Christian Schlager was a German footballer who played as a forward for VfB Leipzig from 1890 to 1913.
- Reiner Schlager is a German football manager and former player who currently manages the Germany national under-17 football team.
- Wendelin Schlager was an Austrian association football player who represented his country in the FIFA World Cup 1934.
- Joe Schlager was an American football running back who played for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1950s.
- Michael Schlager is a German born film director and screenwriter best known for his film “Killing Jesus” (2003).
- Arthur Schlager was an American professional wrestler who competed in the National Wrestling Alliance from 1956 to the early 1960s.
- Matthias Schlager is an Austrian cabaret performer and stand-up comedian.
- Uwe Schlager is a former German footballer who played as a midfielder for VfB Stuttgart and Eintracht Frankfurt.