Surname Schnürlein - Meaning and Origin

Schnürlein: What does the surname Schnürlein mean?

The last name Schnürlein is a German surname first found in the German state of Bavaria. It is likely a habitational name derived from a location near the Schnür River. Historically, the river was called Schnürrwasser and was located in the northwest of Bavaria.

The root of the name, Schnür, appears to come from a German root word meaning “bowstring” or “strap”; Schnürlein is a diminutive of Schnür, and thus, a likely meaning of the name is “little bowstring.”

Schnürlein is a relatively common surname in Germany and is found primarily in cities located in Bavaria, such as Augsburg, Eichstätt, Nuremberg, and Kempten. The name can also be found in other German-speaking countries, like Austria and Switzerland.

Given the origin of the name, it is possible that the name Schnürlein was associated with a profession, such as a shoemaker, saddle maker, cobbler, or even an archer or hunter. Alternatively, the name may have emerged from a place name, referencing an area in Bavaria near the Schnür River.

The name Schnürlein is likely an abbreviation of the word Schnürlein, which is the German noun for a bowstring. It could refer to a profession such as a shoemaker, saddle maker, cobbler, archer, hunter or an area in Bavaria near the Schnür River. Its origin could also be from a habitational name derived from a location near the river. Today, this name is found mostly in the German state of Bavaria but can also be found in Austria and Switzerland.

Schnürlein: Where does the name Schnürlein come from?

The last name Schnürlein is a German name of German-Silesian descent. It originated in what is now Poland, about 200 years ago. Today, the last name is most commonly found near the former German-Silesian border, primarily in Germany, and especially in the southern part of the country. It can also be found in the United States, with many American descendents of German-Silesian immigrants.

The surname Schnürlein is derived from the German word snare, which refers to a small snare or trap used to catch small game. This origin implies that the original bearer of this name was a hunter of some kind. Over time, the name has solidified itself as one of the more distinct German-Silesian surnames, even besides its origins.

Since its origin in the 19th century, the surname Schnürlein has been found throughout Germany, along with a few other countries like the United States. Today, the last name is not as common as it once was, with the highest concentration of Schnürleins living in Germany.

Overall, the last name Schnürlein is not often seen in most places, but it is still represented by the individuals bearing the name, particularly those living in Germany and the United States.

Variations of the surname Schnürlein

The Schnürlein surname has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. One alternate spelling for the Schnürlein surname is Schnurlein. This spelling is most common in Germany and some areas in Austria.

Other variants of the Schnürlein surname include Schnorlein, Schnorling, Schnurling, Sneurlein, Schnurrlin, Schnurlein, Schoonerline, Schnaarline, Schoeneleine, Schonourlin, Schonorlean, Schanerland, Schneerline, and Snerlein.

The Schnürlein surname is also found under a variety of additional surnames with the same origin. These include Schnaeur, Schooner, Schoonerling, Schoner, Scheuerlein, Schnar, Schoener, Soenner, and Soencer.

In English, the surname Schnürlein may also be spelled Schnureln.

The origin of the Schnürlein surname is believed to be German in origin, derived from the Middle German term “schnür” meaning “string, binding, leash”. In Middle High German, “schnür” also meant a leather string with which money and goods were fastened. This eventually became an occupational surname for makers of such leather strings and bindings.

Famous people with the name Schnürlein

• Erich Schnürlein (1912-1944), German World War II pilot.
• Hubert Schnürlein (1926-2013), German football (soccer) player.
• Robert Schnürlein (1865-1919), German social democratic politician and writer.
• Leticia Schnürlein (born 1970), German model.
• Pat Schnürlein (born 1969), American professional basketball player.
• Alfred Schnürlein (born 1845), German painter.
• Theodor Schnürlein (1830-1890s), German poet and writer.
• Slávka Schnürlein (born 1973), Czech actress.
• Domenico Schnürlein (1727-1792), German astronomer and mathematician.
• Eduard Schnürlein (1832–1901), German poet and author.

Other surnames

Schnürle