Surname Schnappauf - Meaning and Origin

Schnappauf: What does the surname Schnappauf mean?

The last name Schnappauf is of German descent and is likely derived from the Middle High German word "schnappen," meaning "to grab." It is an occupational surname associated with someone who was involved in the manufacture of drinking vessels, such as mugs, cups, tankards, and decanters.

The name likely originated with several areas of Central Germany, including Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemberg and present-day Austria. It is most commonly found in the region known as the Palantine, located along the Rhine riverbanks near the borders of France and Luxembourg.

The earliest known record of the name is from 1563, when a Geor Richter Schnappauf was mentioned in a document titled "Reichsganzact" which was composed at the Imperial Diet of Augsburg. In the document, Richter is recorded as receiving a relatively large payment for the production of "hane" (or clay-glazed container for drinking vessels).

Based on its historical significance and prevalence in German culture, the surname Schnappauf remains a fairly common surname in German-speaking countries. In the United States, it is far less common, with the number of people with the name estimated to be fewer than 500.

Schnappauf: Where does the name Schnappauf come from?

The last name Schnappauf is a German surname which is commonly found in countries of German origins like Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. It is also seen in surrounding countries like Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia due to German settlements in the area. There are communal migrations to other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand due to economical, political, religious, or educational reasons in the 19th and 20th centuries, however they are mostly concentrated in Europe.

In Europe, the Schnappauf name is commonly concentrated in southern Germany with a large population of Schnappauf in Bavaria, in particular the regions surrounding Ingolstadt. Other areas with high numbers of individuals with the Schnappauf name include Baden-Württemberg and the regions surrounding Hannover. Additionally, one can see the highest concentration of people with the surname Schnappauf in the population centers of Berlin, Munich, and Stuttgart.

Nowadays, one can see individuals with the Schnappauf surname across most of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, albeit in smaller numbers than the earlier mentioned regions. In the United States, the surname can mainly be found migrating individuals from the German regions mentioned above, so one is most likely to find people with the Schnappauf name mainly in the Midwestern states.

Overall, the surname Schnappauf is mainly found in Germany and its surrounding countries, though there are a couple communities of Schnappaufs in the United States as well.

Other surnames

Schnappup