Surname Schnoor - Meaning and Origin
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Schnoor: What does the surname Schnoor mean?
The last name Schnoor is believed to be of Germanic origin and is most common in the northern and western parts of Germany. Its literal meaning is "shoemaker," indicating that it may have been an occupational name. The surname Schnoor is of early medieval origin and is first recorded in the early 13th century in Germany. It is believed to be derived from the personal name “Schnoor” which is an old Germanic name composed of the elements “schon” meaning “beautiful” and “od” meaning “birth” or “deed”.
The earliest mention of the surname Schnoor appears in records from the 14th century in the area of Lower Saxony and Hamburg. From there, the name spread to other areas of Germany, particularly in the northern and western regions. By the 19th century, the name had spread to the United States mainly among German immigrants who arrived in the mid-1800s in search of a better life.
Today, according to the US Bureau of Census, the surname Schnoor is most popular in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. As is the case with most Germanic surnames, the spelling has evolved over time, with the most common spelling today being “Schnoor”. It is estimated that there are between 2,000 and 3,000 people in the US today who carry the last name Schnoor.
Order DNA origin analysisSchnoor: Where does the name Schnoor come from?
The last name Schnoor is common today primarily in Germany, especially in the states of Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Schleswig-Holstein, and Bremen. The surname is also frequent in Austria and Switzerland, but appears to have been less common in these countries historically. The name derives from the Middle High German schone ar, which means “beautiful hedge.” The earliest known reference to it is the 1289 document from Lower Saxony that records the name Pony Schoner.
Outside of Central Europe, the surname is generally found in countries where Central Europeans have immigrated, such as the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the last name Schnoor has been recorded in the United States since the 1870s, when the first instance of it appears in Iowa. From 1880 onwards, the name can be found in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, and California.
Today, Schnoor remains a fairly uncommon last name in the United States, with approximately 8,400 people having it in 2020. This is still far more than many other Central European surnames, such as Fleischhauer, Knoebel, and Reyyersbach, the three others in the top five.
Variations of the surname Schnoor
The surname Schnoor is an occupational surname, derived from the Middle High German words 'snoere' or 'snur' meaning twine or rope. It began as a surname for someone who made or sold rope and cords, or came to be associated with someone who worked as a ship's mate or rigger.
The surname Schnoor is also spelled Schnur or Schnoorr. Common variants include Schnoer, Schnoerrer, Schnoorr, Schnore, and Schnoerer. Other related surnames with various spellings that are likely of the same origin include Snorr, Schnar, Schneider, Schoner, Schonert, and Schnoor.
In Germany, the surname Schnoor is especially common in the Lower Rhine region. Variant spellings of the surname can be found in most dialect areas in Germany. It also appears in Alsace, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
In the United States, the surname has been anglicized to Schaner, Sheneer, Schnare, Schoneer, Schanor, Schonerer, Schnure, and Schnoorth. The surname can also be found in combination with other variations, such as Schnore-Felman and Schnoor-Kenny.
People with the surname Schnoor and its variants can also be found in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries around the world.
Famous people with the name Schnoor
- Chris Schnoor: Irish Gaelic Footballer
- Conner Schnoor: American High School Basketball Player
- Doug Schnoor: American Professional Baseball Player
- Galen Schnoor: German Soccer Player
- Juan Schnoor: Argentinean Professional Soccer Player
- Kent Schnoor: American Professional Baseball Player
- Mark Schnoor: American Former Professional Baseball Player
- Peter Schnoor: German Singer
- Robert Schnoor: American Soccer Player and Coach
- Steve Schnoor: American Guitarist and Founder of the Band Threads
- Stuart Schnoor: American Soccer Player
- Titus Schnoor: British Actor and Voice Actor
- Tom Schnoor: American Collegiate Football Player
- Troy Schnoor: American Music Producer, Composer, and Session Musician
- Ulrich Schnoor: German Actor