Surname Schnitzer - Meaning and Origin

A Revelatory Journey into My Family History: Interpreting the Origins and Evolution of the Surname Schnitzer using iGENEA DNA Test

Apprehending the significant past of my surname Schnitzer, thanks to the iGENEA DNA test, uncaged a wealth of cultural and historical revelations. A dive into the roots untangled origins bearing the mark of skilled craftsmanship, ancient Celts, and a surprise twist of Jewish heritage, all the while piecing together the major historical events shaping our lineage.

U. Schnitzer

Schnitzer: What does the surname Schnitzer mean?

The last name Schnitzer is of German origin, and it is a name assumed to be derived from the profession of a schinitter, which was a term used for a "specialist" in cutting, such as a tailor or even a carpenter. In more recent times, the surname Schnitzer has been used to refer to one who produces and works with metals, such as a blacksmith.

The name Schnitzer itself is a noun derived from the Old High German word 'sminzida', which translates to "shearer." It is a name that carries with it a sense of skill and craftsmanship. The name has likely been in constant use since the Middle Ages, with people bearing this surname from Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Poland.

Today this surname is still prevalent all over the world and can be found in areas of Britain, Scotland, America, Canada, and even Australia. Those with this last name usually have ancestors who could trace back their ancestry to German-speaking regions of Europe, such as Germany itself, Austria, and Switzerland.

The surname Schnitzer has an impressive history, and carries with it a strong sense of pride and craftsmanship, reflecting back to those who were experts in their craft. This name is sure to have been used for generations and will likely carry on being used in many more!

Schnitzer: Where does the name Schnitzer come from?

The last name Schnitzer is most commonly seen in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and parts of the United States. The surname originated in Germany but also has a rich history in Austria, first appearing in documents in the late 18th century. In Germany, the name is most common in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg. In Austria, it is mainly found in Vienna and its surrounding regions. It is also less common but still present in the Netherlands and Luxembourg. It is also spread throughout all of Switzerland's states.

In the United States, the name is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, California, and Texas. A large segment of these people would likely be immigrants or descendants of German immigrants. For example, the Hassamite Schnitzers of Pennsylvania are a well known family in the United States. They are of Jewish descent and moved from Austria to Pennsylvania in the 19th century.

Overall, the last name Schnitzer has become quite widespread due to the migrations of people of German descent throughout the world. In some places, the name may be quite common while in others it may be quite rare. Despite its German origins, the name is now seen around the world, making it a truly global surname.

Variations of the surname Schnitzer

The surname Schnitzer has multiple variations and spellings, all of which stem from the same origin. The most common variants are Schnitzer, Shnitzer, Schinzter, Schinz, Shintze, Schnitzel, Schnitzeler, Schnitzerle, and Schintzler.

Each of these variations can be further divided into various surnames and spellings that are derived from the same German origin. The English spelling of 'Schnitzer' is often shown as 'Shinzter' or 'Schintzer', while the Ashkenazi Jewish name 'Shnitzer' is related to the German 'Schnitzer'.

The German surname 'Schnitzerle' is derived from 'Snidere', an occupational surname referring to a tailor or a cutter of leather. Similarly, 'Schinz' or 'Schintzler' were most likely derived from 'Schinder', another occupational name originating from a word which referred to leather artisans.

The surname 'Schnitzel' or 'Schnitzeler' likely derived from the German word 'Schnitzen', which means to cut or to carve. Similarly, 'Shintze' likely derives from the Old High German word 'sintzan', which also means to cut or carve.

In America, all variations of the surname 'Schnitzer' are commonly found, however, the most common spelling found remains 'Schnitzer'. Despite the various spellings of the surname, it can easily be traced back to its Germanic roots.

Famous people with the name Schnitzer

• Mark Schnitzer: Mark Schnitzer is an American neuroscientist and director of the Stanford Neurolaboratory. He is a professor in the Departments of Biology and Applied Physics at Stanford University.
• Paul Schnitzer: Paul Schnitzer was an American entrepreneur known for his innovative chemical and equipment trends that revolutionized the baking industry. His inventions helped transform the baking industry.
• Caroline Schnitzer: Caroline Schnitzer is an American-Canadian business author, speaker, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of New World Consulting Group, an executive and team coaching firm.
• Ruth Schnitzer: Ruth Schnitzer is a German-Israeli sculptor and painter who is known for her abstract metallic sculptures. She is credited with introducing the use of aluminum in sculpting and is considered one of the pioneers of abstract sculpture.
• Richard Schnitzer: Richard Schnitzer is a professor of linguistics at the University of Graz, Austria. He is best known for his work on the syntax of Standard German, especially on topics such as the syntax of sentence adverbs and challenges of aspect affixes in Standard German.
• Charles Schnitzer: Charles Schnitzer was an American attorney and real estate developer. He practiced law in Los Angeles and was a leader in the Los Angeles legal community. He was president of Northwest Industries and its major subsidiary, The Lion Corporation.
• Martin Schnitzer: Martin Schnitzer was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Valparaiso University from 1912 to 1913 and at Mercer University from 1914 to 1916, compiling a career college football coaching record of 16–14–3.
• Jack Schnitzer: Jack Schnitzer was an American businessman and co-founder of the Leonard & Jack Schnitzer Company, a Canadian-based real estate firm. He was also a leading philanthropist in the Jewish community in Montreal, Canada.

Other surnames

SchnitzelerSchnitzerleinSchnitziusSchnitzkerSchnitzler