Surname Schrag - Meaning and Origin
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Schrag: What does the surname Schrag mean?
The surname Schrag is of German origin and is primarily associated with Switzerland and Germany. It derives from Middle High German "schrag", which means "slanted" or "diagonal". This was likely a topographic name for someone who lived by a slanting field or a habitational name from any of the various places named with this word. It might also be an occupational name for a cutter, specifically someone who trimmed the surface of rough-hewn stone. Like many other surnames, it also could have originated as a nickname based on a person's characteristics or behavior. Therefore, the exact meaning can vary based on the geography and history of the person holding the surname.
Order DNA origin analysisSchrag: Where does the name Schrag come from?
The last name Schrag is most commonly found in Germany today, with a small population in Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Brazil. In Germany, most of the Schrag family members come from the southwestern part of the country in the states of Baden-Wurttemberg and Hesse. The name can occasionally be found in other places in Europe, like France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
In the United States, Schrag is a very rare surname. As of the 2020 United States Census, there were only 49 people in the entire country with this surname. Most of them can be found in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan, likely due to the Pennsylvania Dutch (or German) immigrants who settled in that area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Although the name is not extremely common, in some places it dates back centuries, with the earliest known member of the Schrag family tracing their roots back to 1425 in the Franconian town of Sand.
There are obviously more Schrags in Germany today than anywhere else in the world. But this small German surname is still present in many other places, including the United States, as a reminder of a family’s past travels and migrations.
Variations of the surname Schrag
The surname Schrag has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the variants include Shrag, Schraeg, Shragge, Schraegen, Schrage, and Schrieeg. The Schrag surname is derived from the Middle High German word ‘scherag(ge)’ which means ‘joke, jest, funny.’ This roots back to the very beginning of German surnames, which means that the people with this surname had status in an occupation that required some measure of deception or entertaining others.
Other variants and spellings of the same origin include Schray, Schrey, and Schreyer. These variants are most commonly found in the South of Germany and Switzerland. The surname Schreyer is a very popular variant, and can be found in the United States and some parts of Germany and Austria. It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘scheri(e)’ which means ‘gentleman.’ This was usually given to highly skilled people who had occupations related to upper-class society.
The name Shrager is another variant of Schrag that is commonly found in the United States. It is an anglicized version of the name, which means that it has been adapted to fit the English language. It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘scherig’ which means ‘fun’ or ‘playful.’
The surname Schroger or Schorge is also a variant of Schrag. It is most commonly found in an area of Germany that is now known as the German-Swiss border. It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘scherege’ which means ‘shrewd’ or ‘clever.’ This variant was usually given to people who had skilled trades that required a high level of intelligence.
Overall, the surname Schrag is an old German name. As such, it has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The various forms of the name were likely assigned to a person based on their occupation and level of skill.
Famous people with the name Schrag
- Stefan Schrag: German politician and founder of fully-inclusive Schools
- Sascha Schrag: German volleyball player and two-time Olympic Gold medalist
- Richard Schrag: American criminal psychologist and author
- Nick Schrag: American family medicine physician and yoga teacher
- Reinhold Schrag: German professor and expert in statistical physics
- Ulrich Schrag: German engineer and professor of electrical engineering
- Margarete Schrag: German playwright and theater director
- Hanna Schrag: German textile designer and creator of the Schrag weaving technique
- Paul Schrag: American Anabaptist theologian and writer
- Conrad Schrag: German carpenter, painter and printmaker