Surname Shtang - Meaning and Origin

Shtang: What does the surname Shtang mean?

The last name Shtang is of Jewish/Yiddish origins, and it applies to an occupational surname for a cooper. A cooper was someone who made and repaired wooden barrels, vats, and other objects made using the same basic technique. In the Middle Ages, coopers would have been of great use to merchants and traders, helping to create casks and containers of food, goods, and wine for travel and preservation.

The surname Shtang likely originates from the Yiddish word "schtang" meaning "barrel." This word likely developed from the Proto-Germanic root "stang," which referred to a "stake" or "post," and also contributed to the modern English words "staff" and "sting." It is believed that, in Yiddish, the suffix "-ang" was added to indicate an associated meaning. Thus, the combination of "schtang" became the occupational name for a cooper.

The surname first began to appear in records in the 16th century, and bearers of the name could be found in various cities and towns across western and central Europe. Today, Shtang is still a common surname in Jewish communities across these regions as well as in the United States, and is likely to have spread to other countries with increased immigration.

Shtang: Where does the name Shtang come from?

The last name Shtang is commonly found in regions of Eastern Europe, particularly in the former Soviet Union, with some families having lived in this region for many generations. While exact numbers are unavailable, a quick internet search reveals that people with this last name existing in Lithuania, Belarus, Latvia, and Ukraine, as well as Russian and Germany. Smaller populations of people with this last name are also found in the United States, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Israel, and South Korea.

This last name is of Jewish origin and was taken by many Jews fleeing Russia before and after the fall of communism and the Holocaust. It may have originated with the Russian word "shtang," meaning "long," and therefore may have been used by people with a significant physical characteristic such as height. It also may have been chosen later in life, as sometimes Jewish boys chose a new last name upon being ordained as a rabbi.

Today those with the last name Shtang are either descended from its original bearers or have adopted the last name later in life. Despite the tragic history attached to the last name, it is still found in many different cultures and countries around the world, and those with the name maintain a sense of pride.

Variations of the surname Shtang

The surname Shtang is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, and is derived from Yiddish words meaning “upright” or “straight”. It is sometimes shown as Shtange, Shtangs, and Shtangl. It is a variant of the German name, Stangl, which was an occupational name for a “straight” pole maker.

Variant spellings of the surname Shtang include Stang, Stangle, Shtangl, Shtangen, Shteange, Shtange, Shtangen, Shtanger, Shtangal and Shtangl. It is also sometimes seen as Shtangle, with the vowel in the middle changed to an ‘a’.

Common surnames of the same origin as Shtang include Staegl, Squillace, Sqillaci, Schtaller, Stangel, and Stangl.

Other variations of Shtang are Shetlo, angular and Schtangler. Variant spellings can often be seen in other countries where the surname has been introduced due to immigration and adoption.

Variants with the same origin as the surname Shtang are often found in various countries throughout the world. In some European countries, for instance, the name is spelled Shtangl, Schtangl, and Shtangen.

In Canada, for example, the surname Shtang is seen spelled as both Shtangl and Shtangle, while in Poland, where the surname is pronounced as “shtang”, the spelling may be either Shtangs or Sztangl.

In the United States, the surname is most often seen as Shtang, but may also be found spelled as Shtange, Shtangle, Shteange, or Shtanger.

Famous people with the name Shtang

• Alexander Shtang: the prominent Israeli novelist, winner of the coveted Dahn-Har/Daniela Har-Yitshak book prize.
• Alexandr Shtang: a Belarusian chess player and FIDE Master.
• Dmitry Shtang: a Ukrainian physical chemist and professor at the University of Kyiv.
• Vladimir Shtang: a Ukrainian cultural worker, famous artist and sculptor.
• Sergey Shtang: an influential Soviet-era actor and Director.
• Anna Shtang: a Russian actress and theatre director.
• Konstantin Shtang: a Soviet-era film producer and art director.
• Michael Shtang: a Soviet-era photojournalist and documentary filmmaker.
• Marina Shtang: a Russian poet, playwright and essayist.
• Vadim Shtang: a Ukrainian lawyer and governmental advisor.

Other surnames

Shtangen