Surname Schor - Meaning and Origin
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Schor: What does the surname Schor mean?
The surname Schor is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, primarily from regions in Eastern Europe. It is derived from the Yiddish term "shor" or "sher" which means "bullock" or "ox”. Thus, in the most literal sense, it can be translated to mean the person or family dealt with cattle breeding or was connected to oxen in some significant way in the past.
However, it's important to note that surnames, particularly Jewish surnames, can have nuanced and varied meanings based on their regional use and the circumstances under which they were given. Many Jewish surnames were adopted relatively recently, in the late 18th and 19th centuries, and their meanings can often reflect occupations, personal characteristics, or be derived from given names. So while the primary translation of "Schor" is cattle-related, there may be other cultural or historical significance attached to individual families with this name.
Order DNA origin analysisSchor: Where does the name Schor come from?
The surname Schor is common in many parts of the world today. It is most commonly spelled with a umlaut (ö) in certain German-speaking countries, such as Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The name is found in various other places including France, Netherlands, Belgium, Israel, and Argentina as well. It is also present in several North American countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is less commonly found in other countries like Poland and Ukraine.
In the United States, people with the surname Schor are primarily concentrated in several midwestern and northeastern states, such as New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. In Canada, it is found mainly in Ontario, with lesser occurrences in Alberta and British Columbia. As in other parts of the world, the name is less common outside the major cities of the two countries.
The name Schor is thought to be derived from the old German words for “poor” or “without land” and is found mainly among Jews of European origin. There is also some evidence that the name predates Christianity in some parts of the world. However, it is predominantly a Jewish name, and is associated with a number of prominent rabbis and other famous people with the surname.
The Schor name continues to be used today in many parts of the world, and it is not uncommon to meet someone with the surname in many of the aforementioned regions.
Variations of the surname Schor
The surname Schor has several variants, spellings and surnames that originate from the same root name. Different letters in various languages are used to write the same name, leading to various spellings for the same word.
Variations of Schor include: Schorr, Schore, Schorel, Schorer, Schorl, Schorn, Schorre, Schorrel, Schulman, Schorateg, Schorstein, and Schoalman.
The surnames Schorr, Schore and Schorel are all derived from the Yiddish word for "tailor." As many Jews often took on the names of their professions, many Jews adopted these surnames to reflect their occupations.
The words Schorer and Schorl are derived from the German word for “shoemaker,” also reflecting a Jewish professional surname.
The surname Schorn is derived from the French word “schorrer,” which means “one who hems.”
The words Schorrel, Schulman, Schorstein and Schoalman are all derived from the Hebrew words for "scholar." These surnames were used to note those members of a family who were well-educated or very knowledgeable.
The word Schorateg is a combination of the Hebrew words for “city” and “judge.” This surname was likely adopted by those who served as judges or lawyers in the city.
Overall, the many variations of the surname Schor suggest its widespread usage among Jews, and the many professions and positions they occupied.
Famous people with the name Schor
- Jordan Schor: American musician and producer who has released three EPs and one full-length album.
- Julie Schor: American economist, urban planner, and environmentalist.
- Alexa Schor: American professional basketball player for the Dallas Wings of the WNBA.
- Becky Schor: American theatre director and professor of theatre and musical theatre at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.
- Nely Schor: Israeli-American actress and voice artist.
- Barry Schor: American art director and production designer who won an Emmy Award for his work on Pee-Wees Playhouse.
- Louise Schor: Canadian television and stage actress known for her roles in the TV series It’s a Living, Passions and Broken Lullaby.
- Brandon Schor: Canadian actor known for his roles in films such as The Four Fallen and Adopt a Highway.
- Joe Schor: French-American businessman and the founder of Levy Schor & Associates, a global/national public affairs and strategic communications firm.
- Ira Schor: American author and professor of English and Comparative Literature at Hamilton College.