Surname Schoenigan - Meaning and Origin
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Schoenigan: What does the surname Schoenigan mean?
The surname Schoenigan is of German origin. It is derived from the German words “schoen” and “igan” which translate to “beautiful” and “son of” respectively. Thus, the literal meaning of the surname Schoenigan is “beautiful son” or “beautiful descendant.” The surname was most likely created to denote that a person is the son or ancestor of a person who is seen as attractive or radiant.
Though the origin of the Schoenigan name is German, today it is found in many countries and cultures. Apart from Germany, the surname can also be found in various parts of the United States and Canada, especially in the midwestern regions. Additionally, the name is not only found in German speaking countries, but also in Slavic countries like Lithuania and Czech Republic where German culture had a great influence.
Given the implied meaning of the surname and its spread across different parts of the world, it is clear that Schoenigan is an interesting and unique surname that carries a significant amount of history behind its bearer. Its holder can be proud of their distinct and appealing surname and its positive connotations.
Order DNA origin analysisSchoenigan: Where does the name Schoenigan come from?
The last name Schoenigan is most commonly found in the United States of America today. According to the US Census of 2020, it is estimated that over 7,400 Americans with this last name reside in the States. Out of this, the most number of Schoenigans are found in California, in which nearly 1,800 people with this surname live. The other states in which this last name is most common are North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, Texas, and Wisconsin, with an estimated population of up to 1,000 people each.
Outside of the United States, Schoenigan is also a surname that is sometimes found in the Netherlands, Germany, and Scandinavia. The largest diasporas of Schoenigans can be found in Canada, Mexico, and Australia, with people with this last name stemming from Germanic heritage having immigrated to these countries. Additionally, there have been cases of people with this surname appearing in Israel, India, and Korea.
In regards to its ethnicity, the surname Schoenigan appears to be of mostly of Germanic origin, but there exists some evidence to suggest that some Schoenigan families may have immigrated from Dutch, Scandinavian, and possibly even Jewish backgrounds as well. Certainly, one of the most popular interpretations of the origin of this name stem from its root words of “Schoen” and “Ikken” which mean “beautiful” and “children” in German respectively.
Variations of the surname Schoenigan
The surname Schoenigan is of German and Dutch origin. Common variants of the surname Schoenigan include Shoenig, Schoenigen, Schoenigin, Schoeniga, Schoening, Schoeningen, Schoeningin, Schoenigern, Schoeniger, Schoenigerners, Schoenicke, Schoennig, Schoennigin, Schoenmacker, Schoemacher, Schoemakers, and Schoeper.
In Germany, the surname ‘Schoenig’ is often found in areas such as North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Hesse, and Bavaria. It is also found in The Netherlands, where spelling variations such as ‘Schoenmacker’ and ‘Schoenmaker’ are used, with a highest concentration in the Province of North Holland.
Variants of the surname are also found outside of Germany and the Netherlands - such as the spelling Schöning found in Denmark and the Scandinavian countries.
Spelling variants developed when a person moved, or when people made mistakes in writing their name down. Additionally, variants can also happen when different members of the family decide to spell their name differently.
Common surnames related to Schoenigan include Schoenberger, Schoenfeld, Schoenhals, Schoenheide, Schoenherr, and Schoenhoff.
Overall, the surname Schoenigan has a rich heritage, with multiple spellings and surnames stemming off of its origin.
Famous people with the name Schoenigan
- Graham Schoenigan: Graham Schoenigan is an author and illustrator of children’s books. He is the creator of the popular series, Evelyn the Cat.
- Robert Schoenigan: Robert Schoenigan is an aquatic biologist who worked as an instructor of biology and as a research scientist at the University of Kansas.
- Michael Schoenigan: Michael Schoenigan is an American scientist, educator, and former businessman. He received bachelor's and master's degrees in biology from New Mexico State University and a doctorate from the University of Arizona.
- Jeff Schoenigan: Jeff Schoenigan is an American football coach. He is currently the head coach and offensive coordinator for the University of Tennessee at Martin and the head coach of theattenheim Aviators of the German Football League.
- Mike Schoenigan: Mike Schoenigan is a former football player from the University of Washington. He was a wide receiver for the Cougars and was a fourth round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1975 NFL Draft.
- David Schoenigan: David Schoenigan is an actor and voice actor who has appeared in several films and television shows, most notably as Ock on NBC’s critically acclaimed series, Heroes.
- Don Schoenigan: Don Schoenigan is an American attorney who served as a deputy to the President of the United States from 1971 to 1973 on the White House Counsel.
- John Schoenigan: John Schoenigan is a former United States Marine who fought in the Vietnam War and was awarded the medal of Honor for valor in combat.