Surname Schönl - Meaning and Origin
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Schönl: What does the surname Schönl mean?
The last name Schönl is most likely of German origin. The literal translation of the name is ‘beautiful’, which indicates that it may have referred to a particularly attractive or pleasant person centuries ago. It is likely to have developed into Schönl as a surname due to the regional dialects that have become commonplace over time.
Schönl may also be associated with ancestry from Austria, as there is a city in that country called Schönau. Additionally, Schönl is an alteration of the Germanic word “schon”, which has been used to refer to a person of remarkable beauty or rank since the Middle Ages.
The last name is particularly popular in Germany, with more than 1,000 individuals registered as having the surname today. It is also seen in Australia and other parts of Europe, as well as in North America.
Throughout its history, the last name Schönl has been a marker of family lineage and, in some cases, wealth. It may be seen in some areas as a symbol of social stature, but in the modern world it is largely seen as a sign of identity. Whether chosen for its literal meaning, its association with particular regions, or its social significance, Schönl is a surname that is root in meaning and origin.
Order DNA origin analysisSchönl: Where does the name Schönl come from?
The last name Schönl is most commonly found in parts of central Europe today. It is especially prevalent in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also very common in the neighboring countries of Czechia and Slovakia. The name Schönl first appears in medieval records in Germany, but its origins may stretch back even further to the ancient Germanic people who populated the region.
The most common variant of the name Schönl is Schönleber, and indeed, many of the bearers of the name have ancestors that hailed from the town of Schönleber, near Dresden, Germany. Other variants include Schönbauer, Schönberger, and Schöndobler.
Many people bearing the name Schönl have immigrated to other parts of the world, especially the United States and Canada. In recent years, many Schönl families have moved to Israel as well.
The Schönl surname can be a source of pride for its bearers; it is a testament to the ancient history of central Europe and is steeped in tradition. Indeed, Schönl families often treasure the stories and heritage of their ancestors and strive to keep them alive.
Variations of the surname Schönl
Schönl is an ancient German surname traditionally originating in the Rhine region of Germany during the medieval period. It has long since spread around the world, with variants existing in many different countries.
The base form of the surname is Schönl, although other alternate spellings of the name exist. These include Schoenl, Schoennl, Schoennel, Schoenel, Schonl, Schonnel, Schoenel, Schoenel, and Schönle. Many of these spellings are archaic and are no longer commonly found, although they continue to appear in genealogical records and alike.
On top of this, Schönl is also sometimes found as a patronymic or matronymic surname, where a prefix such as ‘von’ or ‘van’ is added at the start of the name. Common variants of this style include Von Schönl, Von Schoennl, and Von Schönle.
In addition, other surnames have been derived from the original Schönl spelling as a result of both phonetic and spelling variations. Examples of these include Schoenle, Schonlae, Schonnle, and Schoenel.
All of these derivative surnames are thought to be derived from the same root as Schönl, indicating that a common ancestor is likely to have been the original bearer of the surname. As such, all of these variations likely refer to a single family name.
Famous people with the name Schönl
- Günter Schönl (German author)
- Sebastian Schönl (German musician/DJ)
- Bernd Schönl (Austrian politician)
- Wolfgang Schönl (German linguist and author)
- Maria Schönl (Austrian actress)
- Thomas Schönl (German football player)
- Heinrich Schönl (German politician)
- Judith Schönl (Belgian judoka)
- Robert Lucien Schönl (French medal-winning Olympic rower)
- Andreas Schönl (Austrian journalist and broadcaster)
- Ingrid Schönl (Austrian author and actress)
- Anton Schönl (German architectural draftsman and artist)
- Karl Friedrich Schönl (German-French poet and dramatist)
- Tova Schönl (Swedish educationalist)
- Helga Schönl (Austrian author)
- Erwin Schönl (Austrian table tennis player)
- Robert Schönl (Austrian entrepreneur)
- Ute Schönl (a German actress)
- Harald Schönl (German sculptor)
- Birgit Schönl (Austrian singer and songwriter)