Surname Schuhardt - Meaning and Origin

Schuhardt: What does the surname Schuhardt mean?

The surname Schuhardt is derived from the German word “schuh”, meaning “shoe”. It was likely originally used to refer to a cobbler, someone who makes or repairs shoes and other leather goods. It is found primarily in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, with early records from the 1300s.

The spelling of the surname varies, with other versions including Schubert, Schuhmacher, and Schultheis. It is considered a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from the name of a place or geographical feature. It is likely derived from over 2,000 Geographical localities, named Schuh, located throughout Germany and Austria.

The earliest Schuhardts held prominent positions as merchants, mayors and professional craftsmen. They were living in villages such as Rostock, Hamburg, and Esens by the 16th century. By the 19th century, the Schuhardts had migrated to the United States, primarily settling in New York state and Pennsylvania.

The Schuhardt surname has remained relatively common for centuries, with multiple branches of the family remaining today in various countries. Descendants of the Schuhardts have played a significant role in shaping their respective communities, and many have gone on to achieve success in their respective fields.

Schuhardt: Where does the name Schuhardt come from?

The last name Schuhardt is most commonly found in Germany today. The name is believed to originate from an occupational surname derived from either the Old High German word schuolhahti (shoemaker) or schuolharti (armorer). It means literally “one who makes or repairs shoes or armor.”

Schuhardt can also be found in Switzerland, Austria, and the United States. The name is particularly prominent in the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota, where the name is most likely of German descent.

In the United States, the Schuhardt surname is most common in Wisconsin, with a density 1.5 times higher than the U.S. average. The highest concentration of Schuhardts can be found in the Milwaukee metro area, particularly in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Kenosha, and Racine counties. In Minnesota, the surname is mostly concentrated in the Twin Cities metro area, and the density is roughly 0.6 times higher than the U.S. average.

Schuhardt is also a popular surname in German-speaking countries. According to the German Telefonbuch, the name ranks around 180, with a density of about 2.7 times higher than the national average. In Austria, the surname is almost as popular, with a density 2.5 times higher than the national average. In Switzerland, the surname has a density 1.8 times higher than the national average.

Overall, Schuhardt is still a relatively popular surname in German-speaking countries, and there is a slight concentration in the United States, particularly in Wisconsin and Minnesota. However, it does not rank within the top 1000 surnames in any of these areas.

Variations of the surname Schuhardt

The surname Schuhardt has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variants include Schuhard, Schuhardt, Schudt, and Schuhardtv. Spellings can often alter between countries, so in Germany they may be Schuhardt, Schuhard, Schuhhardt, Schuhardt, Schudt, Schudthardt, Schudhard, or Schuhart. In Austria, they could be Schuhart, Schuhard, Schubert, Schudt, or Schudthardt. In the Netherlands, they are Schudthard, Schuthard, or Shudhart.

The surnames of the same origin also vary across countries. In Germany it could be Schuhardt, Schuhardt-Kiel, Schuhardt-Stutensee, or Schuhardt-Heusenstamm. In the Netherlands, it could be Schuurmans, Schuther, Schudder, Schuilen, or Shuurmans. In the United States, the surnames Schuhardt, Schuhard, Schudt, Schuurmans, Schudder, and Schuilen are all found.

All of these surnames are variations of the name Schuhardt, which has Germanic origin. The root of the name is believed to be derived from the Germanic elements 'schu' or 'schuh' which mean 'shoe', while the second part of the surname comes from Germanic elements 'hard' or 'hart', which mean 'strong, brave and hardy'. Together these two elements mean 'strong, brave and hardy shoe maker or wearer'. It is likely that those bearing the Schuhardt surname were long associated with the production or sale of shoes.

Famous people with the name Schuhardt

• Joseph Schuhardt (1842-1919) was a famous German philologist and linguist who focused on Slavic languages.
• Matthew Schuhardt (1982-2015) was a documentary film maker whose 2005 film "The Prisoner or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair" won the Alfred C. Woodman award.
• Rick Schuhardt (born 1974) is a former American football player who is now a professional scout for the Detroit Lions.
• William Schuhardt (1915-1991) was an American artist, known for his abstract expressionism.
• Barbara Schuhardt (born 1982) is a German Olympic Fencing Star and 2008 Beijing Olympic silver medalist.
• Karl Schuhardt (1887-1977) was an Austrian classical and jazz violinist, composer and conductor.
• Paul Schuhardt (1873-1932) was a German zoologist who made important contributions to entomology.
• Carl Schuhardt (1807-1882) was an important German geologist in the 19th century, who mapped many areas around the world.
• Emma Schuhardt (1853-1917) was a German social reformer who is known for her pioneering work as one of the earliest female political activists and reformers.
• Heinrich Schuhardt (1769-1843) was a German theologian and architect whose work shaped many of the major churches of 19th century Germany.

Other surnames

SchuhardSchuhartSchuharth