Surname Schu - Meaning and Origin
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Schu: What does the surname Schu mean?
The last name Schu is of German origin and is derived from an ancient German term meaning “shoe”. In the Middle ages, it was common for a family to take its name from a profession or trade. This is especially true in the case of Schu, which was a popular craft and trade in which leather goods like shoes and boots were made by artisans known as “schuster”. As traders moved around Europe, the name Schu spread across multiple countries, and came to be associated with the craft of shoemaking.
Today, the surname Schu is still used as a surname in Europe, particularly in Germany. It is also occasionally used in other parts of the world, such as the United States. It is found predominantly among the German and Dutch populations, as well as those with ancestry in those countries.
The Schu surname is commonly used as both a first name and as a middle name as well. It is used as a first name in the United States most commonly found amongst people of German and Dutch descent. The name is still closely associated with the craft of shoemaking and its associations with hard work and skill. It is now widely admired and respected by families with a Schu surname and those who practice the craft of shoemaking.
Order DNA origin analysisSchu: Where does the name Schu come from?
The last name Schu is most commonly found in Germany and Austria. It is believed to have originated from the Middle High German word "schuoh," which meant shoe. According to historians, this may suggest that Schu was originally a surname of a leatherworker or cobbler.
However, over the centuries, the Schu name has spread far beyond Germany and Austria. It is also found in countries including Russia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. In the United States, there are currently more than 2000 people with the last name Schu. Most of these individuals come from German descent.
The Schu family name is widely shared by people of various heritages and religions. While many Schus today are Protestants, historically the religion of the family varied. In the past, some people with Schu last names identified as Jews and Roman Catholics.
Regardless of origin, the Schu name is an old tradition with long-standing historical roots. It remains prevalent in multiple countries throughout the world today.
Variations of the surname Schu
The surname Schu has several variants, spellings and applied surnames that stem from the same origin. These include Schuh, Schuhmacher, Schuler, Schumacher and Schumann.
Schu is derived from the German word ‘schuh’ which means shoe. It was used as an occupational surname to describe someone who worked with shoes, most likely a shoemaker or leatherworker. In some cases, it may have denoted someone who was an assistant or a seller of shoes.
Schuh is the most common variant of Schu. It is made up of the elements ‘schu’ and ‘h’ and is pronounced ‘SHOE-h’ or ‘SHOO-h’. It is also derived from German and literally translates to ‘shoe’.
Schuhmacher is a derivative of Schuh and an occupational surname that indicates someone who worked as a cobbler or shoemaker. It consists of the elements ‘schuh’ and ‘macher’ with the translation being roughly ‘shoe maker’.
Schuler is a derivative of Schu that is still used in some parts of Germany. It is also an occupational surname and was used to denote a maker of shoes.
Schumacher is almost identical to Schuhmacher but is slightly more widespread. It also means ‘shoe maker’ in German.
Schumann is a variant of Schu that is more popular in German-speaking countries. It is an occupational surname that would have indicated a maker of shoes.
Famous people with the name Schu
- astronaut Story Musgrave: Story Musgrave, PhD, is a retired American astronaut and medical doctor. He is an artist and a known public speaker. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1935, and his last name is Schu.
- actor Sydney Schubert: Sydney Schubert is a theater actor and director known for her work on numerous Broadway musicals. She was born in South Carolina in 1965, and her last name is Schu.
- singer Lou Schubert: Lou Schubert is an American singer-songwriter who is best known for his rootsy style of folk-rock music. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1947, his last name is Schu.
- Infomatics researcher Denys Schubert: Denys Schubert is a computer scientist and researcher in the field of informatics. He is the chair of the Division of Computational Mathematics at the University of Warwick, UK, and his last name is Schu.
- Railroad executive Charles Schu: Charles Schu was an American railroad executive who served as president of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad (C&NW) from 1906 to 1916. His last name is Schu.
- Former judge Russell Schu: Russell Schu is a former judge on the Pennsylvania Superior Court and is currently of counsel in DLA Piper's Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania office. His last name is Schu.
- Footballer Tobias Schu: Tobias Schu is a professional footballer, currently playing for the German Bundesliga club 1. FSV Mainz 05. His last name is Schu.
- Painter Walter Schubert: Walter Schubert was an Austrian-American painter best known for his romantic landscapes. Born in Vienna in 1877, his last name is Schu.
- Musician Kurt Schu: Kurt Schu is a multi-instrumentalist and composer known for his ability to play both classical and jazz styles. Born in London in 1965, his last name is Schu.
- Writer Charles Schulberg: Charles Schulberg was a screenwriter and novelist known for his Academy Award-winning work on the movie On the Waterfront. He was born in 1904, and his last name is Schu.