Surname Schnorrbach - Meaning and Origin
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Schnorrbach: What does the surname Schnorrbach mean?
Schnorrbach is a German surname. It is derived from the Middle High German words 'schorn' meaning 'thorn' and 'bache' meaning 'stream'. Together, the words create an image of a stream that is winding its way between thorny and prickly shrubs.
The surname's roots likely refer to a geographic location such as an area with a lot of trees and shrubs located in a stream. This may refer to a farm or other agrarian lifestyle with a connection to nature and the environment that the family was living in at the time.
The surname is most commonly found in the regions of Bavaria, Germany and Austria. The name may have been adopted by families who had traveled from one of these regions to another. It could also have been used because of its attractive sound.
Overall, the last name Schnorrbach conveys an image of something wild, yet homely. It is a reminder of peaceful times spent by a stream, with the sound of running water and the scent of nature in the air.
Order DNA origin analysisSchnorrbach: Where does the name Schnorrbach come from?
The surname Schnorrbach is mostly associated with Germany and Austria today. It is believed that Schnorrbach originated in Bavaria, located in the far south of Germany. From there, the name spread to various parts of Germany and Austria, particularly the Rhine region and Bavarian Alps. It is also found in some surrounding countries including the Czech Republic and Poland, as well as in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, due to migration and emigration over the past centuries.
The number of people with the surname Schnorrbach in Europe is uncertain, since it is not a common name today. However, it is estimated that there are between 6,500 and 7,000 people living in Germany today who carry this surname. The population of people with the surname Schnorrbach in Austria is significantly smaller, with fewer than 200 people living in the entire country.
Outside of Europe, the name is less common. In the United States, the last name is estimated to be carried by fewer than 100 people, according to the 2020 US Census. In Canada, the most recent available surname statistic is from 2016, which suggests that it may be even fewer, with just five people in the entire country at the time. Similarly, a recent lookup suggests that there are now just two people with the surname Schnorrbach living in New Zealand.
Overall, the last name Schnorrbach is relatively uncommon today, with the majority of people carrying the surname living in Germany and Austria.
Variations of the surname Schnorrbach
The surname Schnorrbach has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of these variations include Schnorbach, Schnorrerbach, Schnoorbach, Schnorrber, Schnorrer and Schnor. These variations stem from the German word for a music or singing teacher or singer, Schnarrer, and the suffix “bach,” meaning creek or stream.
In some areas, Schnorrbach may be spelled Shnorrbach, Znorrbach, Gnorrbach or Snorrbach. The prefix “Schnorr-” may also be dropped, leaving simply Bach. The surname may also be spelled with a “K” instead of an “S” — Knorrbach.
In Polish, the surname may be spelled Sznorrbach or Sznorrbach. This is due to Polish pronouncing the “s” similarly to the “sh” sound of German.
In Austria, regional spelling variations of the Schnorrbach surname may include Schnorrpach, Schnorrpass, Schnorrbech, Schonrbach, Schoenrebuch and Schonreich.
Of the various surnames of similar origin to Schnorrbach, some of the more common surnames include Shnoor, Schoenherr, Schoenberg, Schoneberg and Shnore.
In addition to these variations, due to many individuals emigrating centuries ago, the surname Schnorrbach may have been changed over time. It is possible to find varying spellings of this surname in different countries, including Schnarrbach, Sanerbach, Shnerbaker, Snerbak, Schneirbach, Shneiberg, Zinnorberg and Zinnerberg.
Famous people with the name Schnorrbach
- Martin Schnorrbach: a German professional footballer who plays as a defender for FC Zwickau.
- Johannes Schnorrbach: a German classical music composer, choir director, and organist.
- Elsa Schnorrbach: a German film actress who was active in the silent film era.
- Jacob Schnorr von Carolsfeld: a German painter and art professor.
- David Schnorrbach: an American film writer and producer, best known for his work on the 2007 movie I Am Legend.
- Dr. Robert Schnorrbach: a German orthopedic surgeon and professor of orthopedic surgery.
- Ute Schnorrbach: a German woman and author of children's books.
- Johanna Schnorrbach: a German stage actress and opera soprano.
- Jeff Schnorrbach: an American businessman known for founding the computer software company, Soft Independent Operating System Technologies LLC or SIOSS Technologies.
- Christine Schnorrbach: a German Romani civil rights activist and social worker.