Surname Schnorpeil - Meaning and Origin

Schnorpeil: What does the surname Schnorpeil mean?

The last name Schnorpeil is an occupation surname, derived from the Middle High German word ‘schnorrer’ meaning ‘beggar’ or ‘scrounger’. This likely refers to someone who was a profession beggar, but it can also mean someone who lives off the charity of others. It is likely an ethnic surname, deriving from Jewish people from Ashkenaz, too.

In modern times, the name Schnorpeil can still be found throughout Germany and in other German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland. The surname may also be found within German-speaking communities in central and eastern Europe.

Surnames such as Schnorpeil often tell us a lot about people’s family origins and work histories. Knowing the history of the name can help give us insight into our family’s past, and can be the source of great pride to those who bear it. It can also be a reminder of how far one’s family and the communities they belonged to have come over time.

Schnorpeil: Where does the name Schnorpeil come from?

The last name Schnorpeil is most commonly found in Germany today. The name is derived from German words describing the word “snorkel”, which is a type of breathing device. The surname is likely to have originated as an occupational name for someone who was a maker or a seller of snorkels, or an occupational name for a fisherman who used snorkels to catch fish. It can also be a Germanic nickname for someone with a long nose.

According to the U.S. Census of 2020, Schnorpeil is ranked number 11,136 in popularity within the top surnames across the country. Within Germany, the name is more common today, ranking as the 1,988th most popular name according to the General Topographical Name Directory of 2019. Despite being more common in Germany, the name is still rare and used by less than 0.0007% of the population.

The name Schnorpeil is not without its cultural associations. In German dialects, Schnorpeil is sometimes used as a term of endearment for a small child. It is thought that this stems from the connotations it has of a long nose, which has the same meaning in English as the phrase 'my little cutie’.

More recently, the surname has also been featured in a range of German books, films, television shows, and other modern media sources. In particular, it has been featured in the satirical German film ‘The Schnorpeil Chronicles’ by director Johannes Fritsche, which tells the story of a family who have adopted the surname Schnorpeil as a mechanism of escaping Nazi persecution in the 1950s.

Overall, the surname Schnorpeil is still relatively rare but primarily found in Germany today. It is more commonly associated with German culture as a term of endearment as well as its cultural contexts in modern media.

Variations of the surname Schnorpeil

The surname Schnorpeil is a very uncommon one, and its exact origin is still unknown. It is most likely derived from a German town or region, but its origin is a mystery.

It is spelled in multiple ways, such as Schnorpiels, Schnorpyels, Schnorfeils, Schonorpeils, Schonorpiels and Schonorpels.

Variants of this surname are most likely descendants of the original Schnorpeil spelling. Most North American variants of the surname are either Schnorpiels, Schnorpyels or Schnorfeils, while those in Europe are generally Schonorpeils, Schonorpiels, and Schonorpels.

Other surnames derived from the same root as Schnorpeil may include Schonortz, Schonorfree, Schonoriels, Schonerfeil, Schonorfrey, Schonorfly, Schnorpy, Schnordel, Schnorzell, Schnorch, Schnoring and Schnorbacher.

Schnorpeil is a unique name, and itsiseemingly mysterious origin may have something to do with its unusual spelling and variants. While it is not likely to be found in the phone book, those with the surname can take pride in the fact that their name is a part of history.

Famous people with the name Schnorpeil

• Richard Schnorpeil, German actor
• Ulrich Schnorpeil, German ice hockey player
• Margarethe Schnorpeil, German actress
• Michael Schnorpeil, American musician
• Wolfgang Schnorpeil, German actor
• Maria Schnorpeil, Austrian actress
• Elisabeth Schnorpeil, German painter
• Karl Schnorpeil, Austrian doctor
• Tobias Schnorpeil, Austrian composer
• Bernhard Schnorpeil, German opera singer

Other surnames

Schnorpfeil