Surname Schnitker - Meaning and Origin

Schnitker: What does the surname Schnitker mean?

The last name Schnitker is of German origin and derives from the term 'schnitk', which is a variation of 'schniedel', meaning 'knife'. It was likely given as a nickname to a forefather who had an affinity for knives or was a knife maker.

The origin of this surname dates back to the ancient Middle Ages, when it was used to identify people by their crafts, place of origin, and other characteristics. The name Schnitker can be found in records in various German states from the 13th century onwards.

The surname Schnitker spread to other countries such as The Netherlands, Belgium, and America due to migration and immigration as people looked for a better life in the 19th century. In Dutch, the name changed slightly to 'Schnieteke'. Today, the name can be found in many countries around the world.

Although fairly uncommon, it is estimated that the name Schnitker is held by around 5,000 people worldwide with most living in Europe, especially the Low Countries and Germany. Interestingly, there are a few notable people with this surname including the German-American politician Henry Schnitker.

Schnitker: Where does the name Schnitker come from?

The last name Schnitker is most commonly found in Germany and the Netherlands. While the name is not as common as it once was, it is still frequently encountered in both countries. In Germany, a large majority of the Schnitker population is concentrated in the northwestern state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The northern and western parts of the country have seen the highest rate of Schnitkers, with the name being especially prevalent in certain areas such as Lower Saxony, Bavaria, and even parts of Saxony.

In the Netherlands, the name Schnitker is also present, though its presence is less localized than in Germany. The most populated cities for Schnitkers in the Netherlands tend to be Amsterdam and Rotterdam, which each have populations of Schnitker families numbering several thousand.

In recent times, the last name Schnitker has also begun to spread to other parts of the world, such as North America, Australia, and New Zealand. The amount of growth that the name has seen in these regions is significant, with thousands of Schnitker families living in each of these locations.

Overall, the last name Schnitker can be found in many countries around the world today, with Germany and the Netherlands having the highest concentrations of the name. Additionally, many Schnitker families have recently migrated to parts of North America, Australia, and New Zealand, making this name a slightly more common one than it once was.

Variations of the surname Schnitker

Schnitker is a surname of German origin. It is most commonly spelled Schnitker, although there are several variant spellings that have been used over the years. Some of the alternative spellings include Schnickter, Schnitter, Schnigter, Schnygter, and Schonitker.

There are also several surnames of similar origin that have come from the original Schnitker surname. Some of these names include Schantz, Schwantz, Schneithelm, Shnitke, Schntzke, and Schonit.

Schnitker is often found in Germany and other German-speaking countries such as Switzerland, Austria, and Luxembourg. It is also found in many areas around the world where German immigrants settled. In some cases, like the United States, Canada, and Australia, the original spelling of the name may have been changed due to different spellings in different countries, or to adopt a more English-friendly name.

The meaning of the surname Schnitker is believed to have originated from the Old German word "schnit," which means knife. Other possible meanings could have some connection with the working of a knife, such as a "cutter" or "edge" of the knife.

Famous people with the name Schnitker

• Jens Schnitker: German movie actor
• Otto Schnitker: American sculptor and clockmaker
• Heinz Schnitker: Austrian international footballer
• Wilhelm Schnitker: German mathematician and philosopher
• Thorsten Schnitker: German football coach
• Horst Schnitker: German aeronautical engineer
• Erna Schnitker: Dutch geologist
• Volkmar Schnitker: German television and film actor
• Tobias Schnitker: German Saxon sculptor
• William Robert Schnitker: American religious figure

Other surnames

Schnitkerhans