Surname Schnaare - Meaning and Origin

Schnaare: What does the surname Schnaare mean?

The last name Schnaare is derived from the Schönerer family, which was an influential family in 19th century Austria and Hungary. The word "schönerer" means handsome, and the surname was likely acquired due to the original bearer being exceptionally good-looking or held in high regard.

The Schnaare surname is most common in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, and elsewhere in Europe. It can be found among Jewish families as well, likely due to the 19th century immigration of German Jews. The name is also used in the United States, since many non-Jewish European immigrants changed their names upon arriving in America.

The actual origin of the name is uncertain, but some sources suggest it may have been derived from the Old German phrase “schaunaar” which meant “clever worker” or “craftsman.”

The Schnaare name is quite uncommon overall, due to its relatively recent origin and small number of descendants. Those who bear the name can take pride in knowing that it is likely connected to a strong and historical European family. Its original German roots and meaning serve as a reminder of the rich and diverse origin of many modern last names in the United States and beyond.

Schnaare: Where does the name Schnaare come from?

The last name Schnaare is most commonly found in Germany today. In fact, according to a 2017 census, Schnaare was the 433rd most common surname in the country. Most people with this name live in the states of Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Lower Saxony.

The surname has Anglo-Saxon origins and was first recorded in the early 12th century. It is derived from the Middle German words ‘schnath’ and ‘are’ which translate to ‘crooked raft’ or ‘raft bridge’ respectively. It is thought that the surname originates from the town of Schnaarenberg, located in North Rhine-Westphalia. Despite its relatively low ranking, the name is still fairly common in the area and can be found in other parts of Germany as well.

Tying the name to a specific trade or profession is difficult, as Schnaare was an occupational descriptor used for a variety of trades over the centuries. Many professions that used this descriptor, such as rafter, mason, and carpenter, no longer exist, or have been replaced by modern day occupations.

While the origin of the name can be traced back many centuries, the family continues to grow and spread, both within Germany and abroad. Those with the name Schnaare are found in a variety of countries around the world today, with significant populations in the United States, Canada, Australia, and many European countries.

Variations of the surname Schnaare

The surname Schnaare can also be spelled Schnare, Schanare, Schneer, Schnier, Schnoor, and Schwane. All of these spellings are variants of the same surname, with the same origin. The surname is of German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin, coming from the personal name “Schnir”, meaning “wood” or “forest”.

The family name Schnaare first appeared in Germany, where the name came from being a prominent family in that region. It is not an especially common name, but it has been present from ancient times.

One branch of the family emigrated to America, where the spelling Schnaare remained unchanged, while variants of the name were settled in other parts of the world. These variants include Schnare, Schanare, Schneer, Schnier, Schnoor, and Schwane.

In America, the spelling Schnaare is associated with the old-time German-American Amish settlers in the Midwest region. Schnaares can also be found in Pennsylvania, Texas, and other states with Amish peoples.

In the UK, the spelling Schnare was more widely used, and is most commonly associated with Norwegian-American settlers in the 19th century.

Many Jewish families adopted the surname Schnaare, using a slight alteration of the spelling and adopting a Hebrew patronymic, such as ‘son of Schneer’. This adaptation can be seen in the spelling Schnoor, for example.

In conclusion, the surname Schnaare has an ancient German roots, and is now used in many different parts of the world. Variants of the name are used in different countries and by different people. Schnaare, Schnare, Schanare, Schneer, Schnier, Schnoor and Schwane are all different spellings of the same surname, all stemming from the same German etymology.

Famous people with the name Schnaare

• Wolfram Schnaare: Wolfram Schnaare is a German entrepreneur and CEO of the software provider sevDesk.
• Ludwig Schnaare: Ludwig Schnaare was a German judge, who was instrumental in German cultural, economic and social development during the 18th and 19th centuries.
• John Schnaare: John Schnaare is an American musician, producer, and songwriter, whose credits include drumming on the Grammy Award-winning album 'Disclosure'.
• Henry Schnaare: Henry Schnaare was an American football player who played guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1959 to 1967, and was chosen to the Pro Bowl in 1963.
• Paul Schnaare: Paul Schnaare is a German professional basketball player, playing in the top-tier Basketball Bundesliga.
• Dave Schnaare: Dave Schnaare is an American actor and comedian, known for his appearances in a wide range of films, television, and stage productions.
• Robert Schnaare: Robert Schnaare is a German actor, best known for his role as Hans-Czuchra in the film The Reader.
• Karl Schnaare: Karl Schnaare was a German road and track cyclist who won the silver medal in the team pursuit at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
• Oktovianus Schnaare: Oktovianus Schnaare is a German professional volleyball player who plays for the Berlin Volleys of the German Volley League.
• Axel Schnaare: Axel Schnaare is a German footballer who plays as a striker for the club VfL Bochum.

Other surnames

SchnaarSchnaars