Surname Schnittgerhans - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schnittgerhans: What does the surname Schnittgerhans mean?
The last name Schnittgerhans is a German occupational last name derived from Middle High German terms meaning “knife maker.” The name likely originally referred to a bladesmith, referring to someone who worked with edged metal tools such as knives, swords, scythes, and other hand tools. It could have also been used to describe someone who worked as a grinder or sharpener of knives and other cutting tools.
The earliest references to the surname Schnittgerhans date back to the late 16th century in Germany, particularly Bavaria, with records of people with the name living in the city of Ansbach, in what is now North Bavaria. By the start of the 19th century, the surname had become established in various parts of Germany and was also present in larger cities such as Berlin and Nuremberg.
The surname Schnittgerhans is extremely rare today, and is only found in a handful of families. While it is not widely used, it continues to be passed down for generations as a reminder of the work and rich history of the German craftspeople known for their skill with knives and other edged tools.
Order DNA origin analysisSchnittgerhans: Where does the name Schnittgerhans come from?
The last name Schnittgerhans is most commonly found in Germany and Austria. It is an old German surname with its origins in the year 1445, derived from the German word "schnittger," meaning "one who cuts." In the centuries since, Schnittgerhans have spread across the world to many other countries.
In Germany and Austria, where the name is most common, Schnittgerhans can be found in all regions. In North Rhine-Westphalia, it is one of the most prominent surnames. In the city of Munich alone, over 900 people bear the last name. Throughout the German-speaking countries of Europe, the surname is relatively familiar and can be encountered in records dating back to the 16th century.
In the United States, Schnittgerhans is far less common. Census records from the early 20th century only identify a small number of individuals who had immigrated from the German-speaking regions of Europe with the last name. The majority of those bearing the name in the US today are likely descendants of those early immigrants.
Outside of the two countries where it originated and the US, Schnittgerhans is a rare surname. The main areas are former German colonies and other countries with strong German connections. It should be noted, however, that the name Schnittger is relatively common in the Netherlands.
Variations of the surname Schnittgerhans
The variant, spelling and surnames of the same origin for the surname Schnittgerhans are:
Schnittgerhäns, Schneitgerhans, Schnittgerhäns, Schnittgerhanes, Schnitgerhans, Schneitgerhäns, Schnitgerhäns, Schnitgerhanes, Schnitgerhäuser, Snitgerhans, Snitgerhäns, Smithgerhans and Smithgerhäns.
The surname Schnittgerhans is of Germanic origin, meaning “knife-holder” or “sword-holder”, and is derived from the Middle High German element “ snitger”, which translates to “knife”, and the Old High German element “hans”, which translates to “holder.”
The variants and spellings of Schnittgerhans are closely related, as the “ae” and the “oe” variations both mean “connection” or “stability.” Additionally, the suffix “hans” is the plural form of “han”. The surnames derived from Schnittgerhans are commonly found in the German-speaking world, particularly in Austria and Germany.
The surname “Smithgerhans” developed from the root of the name Schnittgerhans, as the “m” in the former can be associated with the Germanic “smith” meaning “metalworker”.
Variations and spellings of this surname are likely to be more common in modern times due to the influx of people carrying this surname to North America and other regions of the world. As a result, we can expect to see more spelling variants and new surnames derived from Schnittgerhans.
Famous people with the name Schnittgerhans
- Pia Schnittger-Hans: She is a German Sprint Canoe World Champion, winner of the German National Championships 2020 with the German national team and runner-up in the 2019 World Cup Elite Women Racing at La Seu D'urgell in Spain.
- Carl Schnittger-Hans: He is a German Olympic and World Cup cyclist, winner of the UCI Grand Prix Series Round 8, 2018.
- Fritz Schnittger-Hans: He is a German professional footballer. He is currently playing for SV Werder Bremen II in the German Regional League North.
- August Schnittger-Hans: He is a German singer, songwriter, and actor. He is best known for his roles in the films The Baumhaus (2013) and Fallen (2015)
- Max Schnittger-Hans: He is a German basketball player. He is currently playing for Giessen 46ers in the Basketball Bundesliga.
- Bernhard Schnittger-Hans: He is a German equestrian. He is currently competing in show jumping and eventing at the highest level in Germany.
- Lucia Schnittger-Hans: She is a German politician. She is a Member of the German Bundestag and is also a member of the Committee on Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.