Surname Schnurre - Meaning and Origin
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Schnurre: What does the surname Schnurre mean?
The last name Schnurre is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "schnur", meaning "a thin cord or strand". It is most commonly found in West Germany and in particular the Lower Saxony region.
In the Middle Ages, the name Schnurre was a reference to a talented handworker. It would have been used to describe someone who had a particular skill or craft—such as rope making or leatherworking—and was referred to as a “schnurre” of sorts, or a person of that specific trade.
To this day, a few variants of the name can still be found in Germany: Schnur, Schnurr, Schnurren, Schnurrer, and Schnurer. The surname is also present in the United States, and United Kingdom, as well as other countries of Germanic ancestry.
Historically, the name Schnurre appears in several places as early as 1389 AD. One notable early reference is in the German parish records of the village of Altenweddingen in 1587. In modern day, it remains an interesting last name that always grabs attention due to its distinct sound and unique meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisSchnurre: Where does the name Schnurre come from?
The last name Schnurre is a very uncommon today but is found predominantly in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is thought to have originated from the Old Germanic language and may even have derived from the word ‘schnur’ which translates to ‘string’ or ‘cord’.
The surname is not widely shared, but those who do have it can trace their names back to locations such as Lower Saxony, Bavaria, and Thuringia in Germany. It is also commonly associated with the Palatinate region in Germany and in some cases found in parts of Silesia in modern-day Poland.
Beyond German-speaking countries, Schnurre can also be found in other parts of Europe such as Flanders in Belgium and the coastal areas of the Netherlands, as well as in the United States. In the US, there are several individuals with this name scattered across the country in states such as Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, and Michigan.
Despite its current rarity, this surname is thought to have been popular in centuries past, as there are several records of people with Schnurre in military archives and other historical sources. For example, in the 16th century, a Hans Schnurre is listed as a member of the von Lauenfels infantry regiment in Palatinate. In the same era, Wilhelm Schnurre is found in the Tyrolean army, and a number of records from the 19th century feature individuals with this surname.
Overall, the last name Schnurre is mostly found in German-speaking countries today, but there are records of individuals spread throughout other countries in Europe and the US.
Variations of the surname Schnurre
The surname Schnurre is part of a large and diverse set of surnames with similar spellings, from Germanic origins.
Variants of Schnurre include Schnerre, Schner, Schnoor, Schnerring, Schnöring, and Schnore. Some less common German-origin variants include Schneyre, Schneur, Schneure, Schnoreng, Schnöringer, Schnörringer, Schnurrer, and Schnerringer.
The surname also has a number of other spellings outside of Germanic languages. These include Šonor in Western Slavic, Shanoor in Eastern Slavic, Sonor, Sonoro, Chonor, and Şanor in Northern Europe and Anatolia. In Southern Europe variants include Sonori, Zanori, Zanore, and Zanoro. Some of these more regional spellings may not appear connected to the Schnurre family, but can trace their roots back to the same lineage.
The spelling of the surname may also be an indication of the family's country of origin. For example, a person of German-origin would spell the name Schnurre, whereas someone from Eastern Europe may spell it as "Šonor". Similarly, a person of Italian heritage may spell Schnurre as "Sonori".
Surnames related to Schnurre are the Dutch origin Schoenmaker and Schotter, and the Irish variants Shannor, Shanor, Shnor, and Soner.
Overall, the surname Schnurre has a diverse selection of variations and spellings, both within the Germanic world and further afield.
Famous people with the name Schnurre
- Wolfgang Schnurre (1922-2015): German writer and biographer.
- Franziska Schnurre (born 1959): German historian, essayist, and author.
- Werner Schnurre (1920-2019): German poet and songwriter.
- Alfred Schnurre (born 1949): German writer, publicist, and book reviewer.
- Wolfgang Schnurre (1930-2006): German novelist.
- Eva Schnurre (born 1957): German novelist and screenwriter.
- Fritz Schnurre (born 1941): German journalist, author, and translator.
- Friedemann Schnurre (1937-1996): German theatre director and playwright.
- Wilfried Schnurre (born 1954): German composer, conductor, and musicologist.
- Hermann Schnurre (born 1934): German musicologist and composer.