Surname Schuelke - Meaning and Origin

Schuelke: What does the surname Schuelke mean?

The surname Schuelke is of German origin, derived from the term "schultheiss". In medieval Germany, "schultheiss" was a title given to a village mayor or a person bearing some form of civic authority. Over time, this official title transformed into various forms such as Schultz, Schulte, Schulten, Scholz, Schulz, more modern variants like Schülke or Schuelke. It is speculated that bearers of the surname Schuelke could be descendants of individuals who held this position or office in the society of old Germany. Thus, the surname could reflect the respected and authoritative societal position that their ancestors held. It's also important to note that spelling variations in surnames were a common occurrence due to the lack of standardized spellings in early times. So, the many different iterations of the name basically refer back to the same root, 'Schultheiss.' However, the precise meaning behind each individual case may vary as surnames were sometimes altered to reflect a geographic region, occupation, or even a personal characteristic.

Schuelke: Where does the name Schuelke come from?

The last name Schuelke is of German origin and is most commonly found in parts of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is believed to derive from the German word ‘schuelke’ which means ‘skimmer’ or ‘dish’. An analysis of the current data from the last census shows that it is especially common in the eastern German regions of Saxony and Thuringia, in Austria and in the Swiss canton of Schaffhausen.

In the United States, the Schuelke family name is most commonly found in the State of Wisconsin. It is believed that the first Schuelkes who arrived in the United States likely settled in Wisconsin in the late 1800s. Today, Schuelke is still a fairly common last name in Wisconsin, with 1.6 per every 1,000 people having the last name.

The Schuelke name is also increasingly found in Canada, particularly in the provinces of Alberta and Ontario. It is estimated that more than 200 Schuelkes now reside in Canada. As more and more Germans from the former eastern part of the country have immigrated to Canada in recent decades, the Schuelke surname has risen in popularity.

The Schuelke name is also present in other parts of the world, including countries in South America and Europe, suggesting that this German family name has spread across the globe.

Variations of the surname Schuelke

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Schuelke are diverse and varied. Generally, Schuelke is of Germanic origin. It is also found in the South Germanic language group, which is related to the Dutch dialects. The variants of the name Schuelke include Schulke, Schülke, Schölke, Schönelke, Schölken, Schüleke, Schöleke, Schölker, Schueler, Shoulek, Shoulka, Schólik, Schulik, Schulik, Schvulka, Schvulik, and Shuelke. These various spellings appear to be the result of phonetic variations that have occurred over time, due to the mingling of dialects or places of origin.

Within Germanic-speaking societies, this name is also occasionally borne by people of Slavic ancestry, primarily in modern-day Bulgaria and Romania. In this context, the names Schulke, Schülke, Schölke, Schönelke, Schölken, Schüleke, Schöleke, Schölker, Schueler, Shoulek, Shoulka, Schólik, Schulik, and Schulik are generally used. In Slavic countries, the surnames Schvulka, Schvulik, and Shuelke are more likely to be used.

In the United States, Schuelke is the most commonly used form of the surname. Where Schuelke is found, it is practically always spelled as it is read: "Shuh-elk-ee". The Consanguinity Index, a database of surnames used in genetic studies, lists Schuelke as the sixth most common surname in the United States.

Famous people with the name Schuelke

• David Schuelke: An astronaut who has flown on two space shuttle missions and now works as a corporate speaker and consultant.
• Lance Schuelke: An American professional baseball pitcher since 2000. He's currently a free agent.
• Mark Schuelke: A former Major League Baseball pitcher whose career spanned from 1976 to 1986. He now runs his own baseball academy.
• Robert Schuelke: An American Middle-Distance runner, and 2008 Olympian in the 3000m steeplechase. He is currently sponsored by Nike.
• Lars Schuelke: A three-time world champion sprinboarder and Big Air specialist. He is a seven-time X Games medalist who has competed in Red Bull Rampages.
• Julie Schuelke: A former professional tennis player. She competed in singles and doubles during the 2000s and won two ITF tournaments.
• Lisa Schuelke: An artist and former bronze sculptor, specializing in a variety of media such as bronze, terracotta, fossil stone and glass.
• Jeff Schuelke: An American nature photographer whose work has been featured in National Geographic and Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
• Nurse Schuelke: A physics professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, specializing in solar energy research.
• Sandra Schuelke: An artist based in Los Angeles, California. She works in a variety of media such as painting and sculpture.
• Alfred Schuelke: A German industrialist, manager and investor. He is the founder of Schuelke Enterprises.
• Tim Schuelke: An adventurer and motivational speaker who has hiked across Europe, and cycled from Bangkok to Berlin and circumnavigated the globe by bike.

Other surnames

SchueleSchueleinSchueler