Surname Schoeller - Meaning and Origin
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Schoeller: What does the surname Schoeller mean?
The German surname Schoeller is an occupational name deriving from the word “schöllen,” which means “to peel or shred bark from trees.” The surname likely originated in the medieval times in what is now modern-day Germany, and denotes a person who peeled bark from trees to produce dyes or tanning materials. The name was most adopted by dye works in Medieval Germany, and quickly spread across Germany and Central Europe as people moved in search of work.
Although the literal translation of Schoeller is “bark peeler,” or “bark layer,” the name could also be a patronymic name for people named Schöllen, or what is called a metronymic for someone associated with the Schöllen family, such as a potential tenant of the family estate.
The most common variants of the name Schoeller are Schoell, Schoeler, Schöler, and Schöller. People with the Schoeller surname include Johann Schöller, a German twelfth-century abbot who authored the earliest preserved musical notation, and Thomas Schoeller, an eighteenth-century American civil engineer and politician.
Today, the Schoeller surname is most prevalent in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, suggesting that the Schoeller surname originated in Central Europe. It is a common reminder of the Medieval dyeworkers of Medieval Europe, whose descendants continue to carry on the special legacy of their craft.
Order DNA origin analysisSchoeller: Where does the name Schoeller come from?
The last name Schoeller is common in several countries across the world today. The surname is most prevalent in Germany, where an estimated 37,000 people bear the surname. It is also a fairly common name in Switzerland, with nearly 7,600 people holding Schoeller as their last name. In the United States, Schoeller is a relatively uncommon surname, with around 9,600 individuals currently carrying it. The surname is also found in Austria, Canada, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
Schoeller appears to have Germanic origins. It is likely derived from the Gothic word skoþla, which means "shield." The coat of arms for the Schoeller family typically shows three black shields pointing downwards on a red background. This coat of arms is thought to date back to medieval Germany, when many of Schoeller ancestors lived in the region.
Schoeller is a relatively unusual last name. Because of this, many family members share a sense of community and pride. As one Schoeller descendant named James notes, “When I hear the name Schoeller, I feel connected to my ancestors and their place in history.”
Though not common in many parts of the world, the last name of Schoeller continues to be carried by thousands of individuals across the globe. As time passes, this surname will continue to be a testament to the family’s Germanic roots and its place in history.
Variations of the surname Schoeller
The surname Schoeller is of Germanic origin and is derived from the Bavarian and Austrian word "Schellenreiter" which means the man who was in charge of collecting dues or taxes from peasants. Variants of the name include Scholl, Schoeler, Shuler, Schuler, Schuller, Schollaire, Scheller, and Schoellera.
The spelling of the surname also varies greatly from region to region. In Germany, Schöller is common while the Swiss spelling is Schööler or Schuller. Elsewhere around the world, variations include Shaller, Schaller, Scholer, Schueller, and even Scheller.
Variants of the surname Schoeller can also be found outside of German-speaking countries, subtly altered to fit the language. For example, in Ireland, the name is spelled O’Schuller. In Czech and Slovak countries it is spelled Šulér or Šiller. In Spain, the surname is spelled Celler, while in French-speaking countries it may be written as Schelaire.
Surnames that have derived from the original spelling of Schoeller include Schoellman, Schollaert, Schollmeyer, Scholtz, Scholtzmann, Scholtes, and Sholtz. Other related surnames include Scholien, Scholin, Scholz, Scholfield, Scholze, Scholzle, Scholzei, and Scholzinger.
Famous people with the name Schoeller
- Franziska Schoeller, German film and theatre actress
- Caspar Schoeller, German businessman
- Peter Schoeller, German diplomat
- Henry Schoeller, American engineer and company executive
- Antoine Schoeller, French lawyer and politician
- Olivier Schoeller, French photographer
- Ferdinand Schoeller, German professor and entomologist
- Jean Schoeller, German jurist and politician
- F. J. Schoeller, Prussian officer 10.Andreas Schoeller, German entrepreneur and film producer 11.Karl Schoeller, German orthopaedist 12.Torsten Schoeller, German photographer 13.Eric Schoeller, American volleyball player 14.Astrid Schoeller, German fashion designer 15.Karl Schoeller, German politician 16.Ernst Schoeller, Swiss professional golfer 17.Hans Schoeller, Austro-Hungarian parson 18.Oswald Schoeller, Austrian musicologist 19.Rudi Schoeller, Austrian politician 20.Ludwig Schoeller, German composer