Surname Schnitger - Meaning and Origin

Schnitger: What does the surname Schnitger mean?

The surname Schnitger is an occupational surname, derived from the German word 'schnitzer' which means a woodworker, particularly one who specializes in making cabinets, window frames, and other specialized wooden pieces. The earliest records of the surname were found in ancient documents from the 13th century near the city of Stendal in Prussia, where the Schnitger family was known as an old and respected family of master craftsmen.

The family's skill and expertise were highly sought after, and records show they worked for many of the royal courts of Germany and constructed wooden pieces for famous palaces and castles. Over the centuries their skills were passed down between generations and today many of the current members of the Schnitger family specialize in the same carpentry that was practiced centuries ago.

The name Schnitger is still relatively common in both Germany and North America, and still carries its rooted meaning of 'woodworker'. It is a testament to the generations of hard work and tradition that has gone into the family's craftsmanship.

Schnitger: Where does the name Schnitger come from?

The last name Schnitger is most commonly found in Germany and the norther part of the Netherlands today.

Schnitger is a German surname deriving from the Middle High German word “schnitzen” that means to cut or carve. It was originally a nickname given to someone who was a carver of wood or stone. Records of the last name can be found as early as the 15th century in the Netherlands and Germany.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Schnitger family moved from their home in Lower Saxony to other parts of Germany and the Netherlands. Many of the family members migrated to Dutch cities such as Amsterdam, Haarlem, and Rotterdam. There, many Schnitger family members became prominent citizens.

The Schnitger family maintained a strong presence in the northern Netherlands and Germany through the end of World War II until the mid-1990s. The heavy movement of people from the region and the decline of religious and cultural connections have greatly decreased the number of people bearing the name Schnitger in modern times.

In 2011, there were 1,774 people in the Netherlands with the last name Schnitger, and in Germany there were 1,759 people with the name. The highest concentrations of the name today can still be found in Lower Saxony, Hamburg, the Netherlands, as well as the United States and Australia, which still have populations of Schnitger descendents.

Variations of the surname Schnitger

The surname Schnitger (or Schintger, Schinzger, Schwenkger, Schwenkiger, Schnitzer, Schnitzter, Schinziger, Schinzegar, Schwenkenger, Schwenkker and Schnitzegar) is a common German last name which originated from the Middle High German word "schintger" or "schintgerin". The surname is particularly common in northern Germany.

The "ger" suffix affixed to the surname suggests that it likely originated as an occupational name, as those names often included the job title of the original bearer in the name. Generally, the surname Schnitger is related to a profession in woodcraft, such as a carpenter, woodcutter, or sawyer.

In some instances, the surname was likely adopted based on a physical feature. For example, "schintgar" may have been used to refer to someone with a long beard.

Another theory suggests the surname Schnitger may have originated as a habitational name. This theory suggests it may have been derived from a place called "Schintger" or "Schintgerin". There was once a castle of this name in northern Germany, and, as such, anyone living near the castle may have taken on the surname "Schnitger" in order to distinguish themselves from others.

The spelling of the surname underwent numerous changes over the centuries as its usage spread. As a result, today there are numerous versions of the same surname, such as Schintger, Schinzger, Schwenkger, Schwenkiger, Schnitzer, Schnitzter, Schinziger, Schinzigar, Schwenkenger, Schwenkker, and Schnitzegar.

Famous people with the name Schnitger

• Franciscus Henricus Schnitger: Dutch organ builder, he was ranked among the most renowned organ makers that ever worked in the Netherlands, building some of the most famous classical organs in Europe in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
• Harald Schnitger: German musician and concert organist. He has won numerous awards and performed with orchestras around the world, as well as released numerous recordings and published original compositions.
• Peter Schnitger: German politician. He served as the Minister of Development and Labour in the German government from 1967 to 1974. He was instrumental in the Economic Miracle that arose in Germany during that time.
• Johann Philipp Schnitger: German organ builder. He was the father of Franciscus Henricus Schnitger and apprenticed with the organ builder Jürgen Ahrend.
• Christoph Schnitger: German musician and composer. He was the pupil of his father, Harald Schnitger, and./a prominent musician in his own right, owning an extensive keyboard repertoire from the Baroque and early Classical periods.
• Christian Schnitger: German sculptor, a renowned member of the Hamburg School of Sculptors. He had a successful career and his work reflected the values of both the Baroque and the Protestant Reformation.

Other surnames

Schnitgerhans