Surname Schnelle - Meaning and Origin
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Schnelle: What does the surname Schnelle mean?
The last name Schnelle is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "snel", meaning "fast" or "swift". It is likely that this surname was originally held by a person who was known for their quick thinking or reflexes.
The surname could also have originated from a nickname for someone with a quick temper, as the word "schnell" is also used to express anger. It is sometimes believed that Schnelle originated from a place name, referring to a person who lived in a small settlement, or from a house bearing the name "Schnelle". In any case, it is generally assumed that this surname likely indicated a person with something of a short fuse.
Throughout history, many families have held this surname. There are records of several people bearing this name going back hundreds of years. Some of these families have spread to other parts of the world, particularly the U.S., where some of the earliest Schnelle families can be traced back as far as the 1700s.
Today, the Schnelle surname is quite common within Germany and throughout parts of Europe, but it is also becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. and other regions. It is an interesting name, with a likely characterization of the original bearer as an individual of great speed and agility.
Order DNA origin analysisSchnelle: Where does the name Schnelle come from?
The last name Schnelle is fairly common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. According to Ancestry.com, in the early to mid-20th century there were thousands of people with this surname living in these three European countries.
Today, it is still a fairly common last name. It's most popular in Lower Saxony in Northwestern Germany, where it's the 519th most common surname, but it is also the 937th most common surname in Austria. In Switzerland, it's the 2,731st most common surname.
In the United States, it is extremely rare. According to familysearch.org, there are only about 23 people with this surname living in the United States. The most people with the name are in Texas (8) followed by Nevada (5), Iowa (3), Colorado (2), and then one in each of the states of California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington.
Schnelle is an occupational surname derived from the German word Schnell meaning 'quickly', and it was likely first given to someone who was known for working quickly.
Variations of the surname Schnelle
The surname Schnelle is of German origin and is derived from the German word schnell, meaning “quick, fast” and was likely a nickname for a speedy person or one with agility. It is most common in Germany's southern region, specifically Bavaria, and can be found in various spellings, including Schnel, Schnell, Schnelle, Snel, Snelle, Snell, Snellman, Schnellman, Snellmann, Schnellmann, Schneller and Schnellero. It is also found in Dutch, Danish, and Swedish records in the spelling Snell.
In many places, the Schnelle surname has been altered over time. In places where the language was heavily influenced by French or Latin, spelling varied for the same name. This is especially true of Switzerland, where it is spelled Schnell. In other areas, including most of Austria, it is spelled Schneller as opposed to the original German spelling. Furthermore, some French-speaking regions, such as Switzerland and Belgium, have seen the spelling adopted as Schneller.
Variant forms of this surname could be found in English-speaking areas, where the name was sometimes Anglicized to Snel. In some cases, the name was adopted into English as Smith, when it was believed that the family originated from the name Schmidt, a German derivation of Smith.
The surname can also be found in various other languages worldwide. In some areas, change in spelling has created different surnames from the same origin. For example, a Finnish form is Snellman, a combination of the Germanic and Finnish elements. Other variants include Snelleman and Snellemann. The surname can also be found in Russia in the form of Snil, though it is generally associated with Jewish origin in that country.
Famous people with the name Schnelle
- Dirk Schnelle: A German artist born in 1961. He is known for his geometric abstract paintings.
- Herbert Schnelle: A German zoologist and entomologist. He was born in 1887 and he studied insect species from all over the world.
- Hans-Karl Schnelle: A German physicist and professor born in 1959. He has authored and edited multiple books concerning particle physics.
- Christian Schnelle: A German sculptor who has created multiple figures in bronze, wood, stone, and iron. He was born in 1975.
- Johann Schnelle: A German composer and organist born in 1887. He composed works for organ, orchestra, and vocal works.
- William Schnelle: A German historian born in 1929. He focused primarily on the history of the Roman Empire.
- Ulrich Schnelle: A German graphic designer born in 1952. He is known for his detailed pictures combining abstract and figurative elements.
- Bill Schnelle: An American musician and bassist born in 1954. He has toured extensively, backing artists such as Aretha Franklin and Johnny Cash.
- Thomas Schnelle: A German journalist and artist born in 1966. He focuses primarily on political subjects.
- Anka Schnelle: A German actress and singer. She has appeared in multiple films throughout her career.