Surname Schnabel - Meaning and Origin

Journey Through the History of My Ancestry: A Fascinating Discovery of Schnabel’s Genetic Lineage with iGENEA DNA Test

Unravelling the mysteries of my heritage using an iGENEA DNA test, I discovered the fascinating history and cultural significance of my surname, Schnabel, in Central Europe. The findings suggest an ancestry threaded with eloquence, adaptability, significant societal involvement, and resilience that shaped my forebears' lives. Such exploration not only unveils the historical journey of my lineage but also enriches my understanding of my identity.

A. Schnabel

Schnabel: What does the surname Schnabel mean?

The last name Schnabel is a Jewish surname with German, Slavic, and Ashkenazi ancestry. It is derived from the German word "schnebel," which means "spoon," and is traditionally thought to have been a nickname for someone with a round face. The earliest recorded use of the name dates back to 1540 in Germany.

In Jewish tradition, the name Schnabel likely originated as an occupational name—possibly referring to a spoon-maker. Alternately, the name may have referred to a craftsman who worked with wooden spoons or even a chef or baker who used them in his profession.

The name Schnabel has spread to various countries around the globe, notably the United States where it gained particular popularity. In the United States, Schnabel is also a popular name among the Amish, likely due to immigration from Germany and Switzerland.

The name Schnabel is known to bring a sense of strength and security. It is associated with hard work, values and relationships. Those with the surname take pride in their family’s name and in its history.

Schnabel: Where does the name Schnabel come from?

The name Schnabel is commonly found in Germany and Austria. In Germany, the name is concentrated in Bavaria, where it is the fifth most frequent surname in the state. It is also one of the top 100 surnames in the country. In Austria, the name is concentrated in the south, where it is the most common surname in the state of Styria. It is also one of the top 100 surnames in Austria.

In the United States, the name is less common than in Europe, but it still has a significant presence. Between 1990 and 2000, around 600 people with the last name Schnabel immigrated to the US, according to data from the US Census Bureau. Today, the name is mainly concentrated in New York, North Carolina, Texas, and California.

The name Schnabel is of German and Austrian origin, and derives from the Middle High German word "schnabel” meaning “beak” or “mouth”. It is likely that the original bearer of the name was someone with a beak-like nose or mouth, and the surname derived from this feature. Alternative spellings of the name include Sneybel, Schnaebel, Snebel, Snybel, and Snyball.

Variations of the surname Schnabel

The surname Schnabel originates from Germany and is an occupational name meaning "beak" or "bill" in German. It is derived from the German word Schnabel, which means "beak" or "bill", and was first used as a name for someone who worked with birds, such as a falconer or bird catcher. Variants of the name Schnabel include Schnabel, Schnable, Schnabell, Shnabel, Schonabel, Schonabell, Shnabell, Schnaboele, Shnaboele, and Schnaboel.

Many variants and alternate spellings of the surname Schnabel have been used in different German speaking countries over the years. In Austria, the surname Schnabel can be spelled as Schnobel or Schnoble. In Germany, the surname is often spelled as Schnabel, Schnabell, Schnobel, Schnaboele or Shnaboele. In Switzerland, the surname is often spelled as Schnaboe and in the Netherlands, the spelling Shonaboe appears most often.

Variants of the surname Schnabel can also be found in other countries. In the United States, the surname is often seen as Shonabel or Shonabell, Schneggel, and Schongel. The English-speaking countries of Canada and Australia have also adopted the name, with spellings such as Schnaible, Schnaible, Shnobel, and Schoenabel.

The surname Schnabel is also seen in other forms and in many different countries. Other alternate spellings of the name are Schanabel, Schanabell, Schank, Jank and Skank.

Overall, the name Schnabel has been used in many different forms across many countries and cultures. Its variations can be a testament to the evolution of the language and name over time.

Famous people with the name Schnabel

• Julian Schnabel: an American painter, director, and producer.
• Vito Schnabel: Julian’s son, an art dealer and curator.
• Josef Schnabel: German actor, television producer and director.
• Egon Schnabel: composer and lyricist.
• Steven Schnabel: German director, producer, and actor.
• Ted Schnabel: American basketball player.
• Dorothea Schnabel: German philologist, classical philologist and archaeologist.
• Johann Christoph Schnabel: German painter, graphic artist, and illustrator.
• Thomas Schnabel: German swimmer.
• David Schnabel: American politician.

Other surnames

SchnäbeleSchnabl