Surname Schoenheinz - Meaning and Origin
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Schoenheinz: What does the surname Schoenheinz mean?
The last name Schoenheinz is a German-language surname, ultimately deriving from a combination of the German words "schön" (meaning "beautiful") and "Heinz". The root of the name, then, is "beautiful ruler".
The name has a storied history in Germany, with its earliest recorded use dating to the 13th century. It was introduced into other parts of Europe later, with one notable bearer of the name being 16th century artist Hans Schönheinz, whose work in painting, drawing, and printmaking was instrumental in establishing German Renaissance art.
At present, Schoenheinz remains a popular German surname. There are numerous notable individuals who bear the name or bear some variation of it, such as French artist and sculptor Guy Schoenheinz, Swiss-German Judoka and Olympic silver medalist Florentina Schoenheinz, and World War II German soldier Rudolf Schönheinz.
The name today symbolizes strength, beauty, leadership, and artistic craftsmanship, and is a popular choice for children's names in Germany. As an example of the surname's popularity in modern-day Germany, a 2020 “Social Security” report marks 106,503 individuals in the country bearing the last name Schoenheinz.
Order DNA origin analysisSchoenheinz: Where does the name Schoenheinz come from?
The last name Schoenheinz is most common today in the southwest portion of Germany near the Swiss and French borders. It is also found in areas formerly part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, particularly in the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Austria. While this last name has been in Europe for hundreds of years, its presence in other parts of the world is much more recent.
Immigrants from Germany and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe have brought this surname to the United States, Canada, Australia, and Brazil. In the US, Schoenheinz is most densely concentrated in Pennsylvania, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. These states each have their own unique history, and many Schoenheinz immigrants from the 19th and early 20th centuries settled in these locales due to competition for scarce resources and the unique challenges they faced as newcomers to the country.
Immigrants also left Europe for other reasons, and this is especially true of Schoenheinz families. Economic, religious, and political forces were driving many people away from the Old World and into new areas. Over the centuries, this surname has spread to other parts of the globe, including South Africa, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, making it a truly international surname.
Schoenheinz today is far more common in the United States than in Europe. Numerous Schoenheinz family members have left their mark on American history. In Iowa, for instance, Werner Schoenheinz was a highly respected doctor who championed public health. In Pennsylvania, Moses Schoenheinz (1872-1943) contributed to the local Civil War memorial and was a civic leader in his community.
Today, the worldwide population of Schoenheinz is estimated to be in the tens of thousands, and likely far more. It is a proud surname, simultaneously rooted in Europe but globalized through immigration and adoption.
Variations of the surname Schoenheinz
The surname Schoenheinz comes from a Middle High German word meaning "beautiful home". Variants of the surname can spell the name with a ‘k’ in place of the ‘ch’, becoming Koenheinz. It can also be spelled as Schönheinz, Shoenheinz, Schonheinz, Schoenheines, Schoenheine, and Schonheine. Common surnames with the same origin include Schoenheim, Schoenheim, Schonheim, and Schoenhaim.
The surname can be found in many parts of Central Europe, and is particularly popular in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It has been recorded in the United States since the 18th century. Possible anglicised spellings include Shoenhines, Shoenhaus, Shoenhut, Shoenhein, and Schoenhaus. In the Netherlands, possible variants include Schonehein, Schoneheins, Schoenheyns, Scheronheins, and Schoenheins.
In England, the surname has evolved from Shoenheinz to Govan, Shone, and Schoner. Its popularity in Scotland dates back to the 16th century. Variants include Schonehekin, Shonehevan, Shonehevin, Shoeheim, and Shornhan. The name is also found in France under the spelling "Shonhein".
In terms of its prevalence in the English-speaking world, the more common spellings of the surname include Shoen, Schoen, Schon, and Shon, along with various combinations of these spellings.
Famous people with the name Schoenheinz
- Jared Schoenheinz: Director of Photography and Producer, based in Los Angeles.
- David Schoenheinz: Investment banker and philanthropist.
- Emme Schoenheinz: Actress who has appeared in television series and films.
- Michael Schoenheinz: Musician and vocalist from Los Angeles.
- Robert Schoenheinz: Former President and CEO of Lockheed Martin.
- Jennifer Schoenheinz: Interior designer based in California.
- Thomas Schoenheinz: American investor and entrepreneur.
- Steve Schoenheinz: Retired U.S. Navy Admiral and former Chief of Naval Operations.
- Mark Schoenheinz: Retired U.S. Navy Captain and aviation enthusiast.
- Jeffrey Schoenheinz: Actor, director, and writer from Michigan.