Surname Schnaars - Meaning and Origin
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Schnaars: What does the surname Schnaars mean?
The last name Schnaars is a Germanic name believed to have descended from either the German or Dutch dialects. Its original meaning was “one who snatches,” as “schnaar” is an old German term for thief. Over time, the name evolved to reflect a more general meaning of “craftsman” or “skilled worker.”
The earliest records of the name are found in the late 1700s in the kingdom of Prussia. During this time, Prussia and other German states were known for their strong emphasis on skilled labor. Many professional tradespeople were highly sought after, with ironworkers, miners, and blacksmiths among the most prominent. Individuals with craftsman-like skills were valued for their insights and expertise and could expect to be well-paid and esteemed in their communities.
The Schnaars surname then made its way to the United States in the mid-1800s. At that time, employment opportunities increased dramatically in various industries, many of which had been pioneered in Europe. The surname also spread as individuals of Germanic descent immigrated to America and other parts of the world.
Today, individuals with the last name Schnaars are almost certainly of German descent, and likely to share a common occupational heritage. They may have once been renowned for their craftsmanship and strong work ethic, and it is not uncommon to find the surname with people who followed in their family’s footsteps and continued the legacy of skilled labor.
Order DNA origin analysisSchnaars: Where does the name Schnaars come from?
The surname Schnaars is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. A quick search on a genealogy website shows that mainly people living in the northern and eastern parts of these countries have the surname Schnaars. In Germany, there is a notable concentration in the states of Brandenburg, Saxony, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Bavaria.
In addition to these countries, there are individuals with the surname Schnaars living in Australia, Canada, the United States, and other parts of the world, with some names likely of German origin.
In the United States, the surname Schnaars is the least common on the east coast, and is most common on the west coast, especially in the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. It is also seen in the states of Arizona and Nevada. The larger cities with a population size of more than 500 Schnaar families are located in California, namely Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego.
In Canada and Australia, the surname has a more dispersed population with small pockets of populations in various parts of the country.
In all of these countries, the surname Schnaars is still quite rare but is kept alive by those individuals carrying the name.
Variations of the surname Schnaars
The variants, spellings and surnames of Schnaars originate from the German language.
The most common form of the surname is Schnaars, but similar variations of the name include Schnaar, Schnarr, Schnarre, Schnoors, Schnoerrs, Schneers, Schneeres, Schneers, Schneeres, Schneeres, Schraar, Schraars, Schraers and Shorr.
Schnaars and its variations are native to the German-speaking regions in Europe and are especially common in Germany and Switzerland, where it is the most commonly used form of the surname.
In the 16th century, some variant spellings of Schnaars began to be used, such as Schraar, Schraars and Schraers, as the phonetic style of writing was beginning to emerge.
The surname Schnaars is closely associated with another surname, Schnaubelt, which is derived from the Middle High German word 'schnubelt', which means 'hayfork'.
In addition, Schnaars is sometimes used to refer to variants of the name such as Schoonars and Schoonens in the Netherlands, and Schneers in France.
The family name has also made its way to North America, often taking on different meanings and pronunciations due the languages of the immigrants who brought with them the surname. For example, the Canadian variant Klassen is a Canadianized version of the name Schnaars.
Overall, the surnames Schnaars, Schnaar, Schnarr, Schnarre, Schnoors, Schnoerrs, Schneers, Schneeres, Schneeres, Schraar, Schraars, Schraers and Shorr are all derived from the German language form of the name.
Famous people with the name Schnaars
- Johannes Schlaf (1862-1941), German author and playwright.
- Karla Schnaars (1905-1988), German concert pianist.
- Friedrich Schnaars (1855-1941), German classical philologist and literary historian.
- Max Schnaars (1880-1960), German expressionist painter.
- Helene Schnaars (1853-1915), German author and contributor to Catholic magazines.
- Günther Schnaars (1924-2009), German World War II tank commander.
- Richard Schnaars (1861-1936), German art dealer and collector.
- Georg Schnaars (1836-1899), German classical philologist and literary historian.
- Richard Schnaars (1894-1975), German-born American electrical engineer.
- Arthur Schnaars (1875-1946), German painter and graphic artist.