Surname Schneewolf - Meaning and Origin
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Schneewolf: What does the surname Schneewolf mean?
The last name Schneewolf is of German origin and is derived from the two German words 'schnee' and 'wolf'. Linguistically, 'schnee' translates to 'snow' and 'wolf' translates to 'wolf' and, when combined, the literal translation of Schneewolf is 'snow wolf'.
Historically, this surname was given to people who lived in or near snowy areas and may have also been used to refer to people who had white or light colored hair like a wolf. Over time, it is likely that the phrase 'Schneewolf' came to reference qualities of strength, courage, and loyalty, as these traits are commonly associated with wolves.
Today, the surname Schneewolf can be found throughout Europe but is more commonly found in Germany. People with this last name come from a range of different backgrounds and may have diverse cultural heritages. People with this name are often proud of these heritages as well as their name. While many Schneewolf families have stories about where their surname originated, all of them honor the characteristics of the snow wolf symbol and the meaning it brings.
Order DNA origin analysisSchneewolf: Where does the name Schneewolf come from?
The last name Schneewolf is currently most common in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. It is also found in several other countries such as the United States, Canada, France, Belgium, and Australia, but in much smaller numbers.
The origin of the Schneewolf family name dates back to the ancient Germanic tribe known as the Franks, who ruled much of Europe during the Middle Ages. It appears that Schneewolf could have been derived from the personal name of a Frankish ancestor, Wolf (wolf). Over time, the surname was spelled in a variety of ways, leading to the various forms found today: Schneewolf, Schneevolf, Schneewalz and Schneewolff.
According to Ancestry.com, today, there are approximately 600 people in the United States who go by the last name Schneewolf or its variants. The majority of these individuals are located in the state of California (66%). The remaining individuals are from Illinois, New York and New Jersey.
In Germany, the surname dates back to the 18th century in the region of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Today, approximately 450 people bear this surname in the country. Swiss records indicate that there are around 220 Schneewolf families living in Switzerland. Austria has one of the smallest Schneewolf populations, with 90 individuals currently living in the country.
Interestingly, one of the earliest known individuals to bear this name was a German immigrant by the name of Johann Martin Schneewolf. He was born in Germany in 1742 and immigrated to the United States in the mid-1700s. He settled in Pennsylvania and is believed to be the ancestor of many of the Schneewolfs now living in the United States.
Variations of the surname Schneewolf
The surname Schneewolf is an occupational surname, which would have been given to someone who worked as a baker of snow/ice. This surname originated from the Middle Ages and there are a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Variations and spellings of Schneewolf include Schneewolf, Schneewalb, Schneekel, Schneewalk, Schneekehl, Schneeweiel, Schneewelle, Schneevell, Schneeberg, and Schneewal.
Surnames of the same origin include Schnee, Schpeans, Schneebel, Schneebeel, Schneeble, Schneebuhler, Schneegas, and Schneekolb.
These variations and other surnames of the same origin all come from the Middle High German word "schneckwald", which literally translates to "snow forest". It's believed that this was a nickname for someone who worked as a maker of snow or ice, given the fact that snow can be harvested from mountainous forests.
In old German documents, the word "Schneckwald" was often used to describe a baker of snow or ice, as seen in 1395 in the Will of Michael Schneckwald in Alsace. It's believed that over time, the "-wald" portion of the word was dropped, and it simply became Schneewolf or a variation thereof.
Much later on, the name evolved again, leading to these other surnames of the same origin, derived from the original Schneewolf. Today, these variations and other surnames exist all over the world, although they may have been changed or shortened to fit the local language or dialect.
Famous people with the name Schneewolf
- Anna Schneewolf: Swiss actress, director and writer
- Conrad Schneewolf: German geologist
- Falco Schneewolf: Austrian author
- Gerwin Schneewolf: German pastor and theologian
- Hildegard Schneewolf: German folklorist
- John Schneewolf: American animal rights activist
- Peter Schneewolf: German-born American lawyer
- Princess Wilhelmine Louisa of Prussia, née Schneewolf: German princess and patron of the arts
- Veronika Schneewolf: Austrian actress and screenwriter
- Zvi Schneewolf: Israeli writer and journalist