Surname Schnapauff - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schnapauff: What does the surname Schnapauff mean?
The last name Schnapauff is a German surname. It is composed of two words: “Schnapp” and “auf”, literally “grab onto”. The combined usage of the two words reflects the surname’s literal meaning, which is “seize” or “grab onto”. The name is believed to have originated in Bavaria during the late 1700s, and today is most commonly found in Germany and Austria.
Schnapauff is a hereditary last name, passed down within a family for generations. Within Germany, the name has been used by several influential figures throughout history. One of the most prominent people with the name are Wilhelm Schnapauff and his sons, who were influential in German politics during the 19th century.
The roots of the surname Schnapauff can be traced back to various professions and activities of the original family in Bavaria, such as butchers, hunters, tradesman, and farmers. For their occupation, the branded the family with the name Schnapauff, which loosely translates to “seize” or “grab onto”.
The name continues to be popular in Germany and Austria today, and it still maintains its original meaning. Overall, the Schnapauff surname is an interesting one with a long history tied to its Bavarian roots and various professions.
Order DNA origin analysisSchnapauff: Where does the name Schnapauff come from?
The last name Schnapauff is most commonly found in Germany today. Records indicate that the earliest known use of the surname Schnapauff was in the region of Brandenburg, which is now part of modern-day Germany, during the 13th Century. The name has since spread to other areas of Germany, such as Saxony, Bavaria, and Schleswig-Holstein. The name is also found in some other European countries, as well as countries with large German-speaking populations including The Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.
Today, the many variants of the name Schnapauff, such as Schnappauf, Schnappauff, and Schneppauf are still commonly found in Germany. It also appears that the spelling of the name has changed over time, with variations being added to incorporate regional dialects or unique sounds.
The Schnapauff surname is often associated with the Protestant Reformation, as several families of the name were among the earliest reformers in Germany. It is also associated with other Christian beliefs, as some ancestors of the name played a significant role in the Catholic Counter Reformation in Germany.
In modern times, the Schnapauff family is still held in high esteem in Germany, and the name continues to be included in various publications and genealogical records. It is likely that this surname will remain common in Germany for generations to come.
Variations of the surname Schnapauff
The surname Schnapauff has a few variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variant is Schnapf, with a long a sound, as in “paw”. This is an old German spelling, and it is the most popular change.
The surname Schnaap is an older spelling of Schnapauff, and it is likely a variation which arose before the modern German spelling of the name was established. The ‘aa’ sound in Schnaap is the same as the ‘a’ sound in Schnapauff, and the difference in spelling is likely the result of differing pronunciation in different regions.
The spelling Schnapauff is also seen in other languages, such as Dutch, where it is spelled as Snoep. This spelling comes about from the Dutch translation of the original German name.
The spelling Shnabof is another variation, and it is commonly used as a variant spelling in the United States, perhaps as an Americanization of the original name. The ‘sh’ sound in Shnabof is the same as the ‘sch’ sound in Schnapauff.
Various other surnames of similar origin to Schnapauff are Schlapp, Schloff, and Schlapf. These names are derived from the German verb schlappen, meaning ‘to limp or stumble’. These surnames likely originated as nicknames applied to people who limped or stumbled. It is believed that those ancestors were eventually re-baptized with the surname Schnapauff.
In summary, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Schnapauff include Schnapf, Schnaap, Snoep, Shnabof, Schlapp, Schloff, and Schlapf. These different variants clearly illustrate the diversity of surname spellings, and the interplay between language and culture that influences the ways in which names are written.
Famous people with the name Schnapauff
- Joslyn Schnapauff: Contemporary American musical theatre composer, lyricist and actor.
- Frieda Roos-Schnapauff: German singer and actress during the Weimar Republic.
- Hans Schnapauff: German actor and director.
- Judy Schnapauff: American poet, artist, and avid sailor.
- Magdalena Schnapauff: German businesswoman and inventor.
- Emily Schnapauff: American entrepreneur and philanthropist.
- Helmut Schnapauff: German publisher, writer, and artist.
- Sven Schnapauff: Danish politician and painter.
- Jakob Schnapauff: Austrian composer and director.
- Sarah Schnapauff: German ballerina and choreographer.