Surname Shueman - Meaning and Origin

Shueman: What does the surname Shueman mean?

The last name Shueman is a variation of the more common German surname Schueman, which is thought to have been derived from an ancient Germanic term meaning “man of the house” or “house owner.” The first use of this name is believed to have occurred as early as the 11th century.

Throughout its history, Shueman has referred to those who either held a position of power or leadership, or who simply owned a large amount of property. Family crest artwork, which often features a stag at the center, is believed by historians to represent a family's power and dominion.

In addition to being a martial surname, Shueman is said to have an occupational origin as well. In early times, many men in the Germanic region were associated with the practice of hunting or animal husbandry, and these activities were often used to refer to an individual of great importance. Over time, this name has become synonymous with anyone who owns a great deal of money, land, or status.

Today, Shuemans are found across the globe, from the United States of America to Canada, Europe, and eastern Asia. The name is now commonly associated with those of a professional or skilled class, and it is often used within the English-speaking nations to describe anyone of great wealth or distinction, including many successful entrepreneurs.

Shueman: Where does the name Shueman come from?

The last name Shueman is most commonly found in the United States today. It is most popular in the Midwest and West regions. States where the Shueman family is highly represented include Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

The name is commonly assumed to be a Dutch family name, deriving from “schuurman,” which translates to “stableman” in English. This would suggest that the original bearers of the name likely would have been in service to a prominent family as cattle or horse handlers. It is still possible to find Dutch places with the name Shueman, such as a farm near the West Frisian town of Lippenhuizen and a village in the North Brabant province of the Netherlands. It is also possible that the name may originate from German immigrant families.

If you have the last name Shueman, a DNA test could be taken to more accurately trace its origins. Y-DNA tests can be used to examine the direct paternal line and trace the origins of your ancestors. A Family Finder test looks at the autosomal DNA to look at more distant ancestors. Though there are not as many resources available to the Shueman family as with some other surnames, testing can still be beneficial for trying to explore your family tree.

Variations of the surname Shueman

Shueman is a surname that has its origins in German, Dutch, and Jewish families. In German, the spelling is Schuemann, Schueman, Schumann, or Schuermann. In Dutch, it is typically spelled as van Schueman, van Schuimen, van Schuimannen or van Schumans. For those of Jewish descent, the spelling can be Shuman, Shouman, Shoumen, Shooman, Sjouman, Sjouwman, Szuman, or Szumanowska.

Regardless of which spelling used, the surname is believed to have originally derived from the Middle High German word "schuom" which means "helper". This could refer to an individual who held a helping role such as a laborer, servant, or assistant. Later on, the name was used as an occupational surname, to identify someone by their job or profession.

The earliest known written record of the surname appears in biblical times in the book of Numbers (in the Old Testament). It is listed there as belonging to a man named Shueman, who is one of the sons of Jethro. Later on, the surname was used in records in various German states, where records also list a Schuemann family living in Brehna, Germany in 1347. In 1569, a Schuemann family appears in Jever, Germany, and a Schumann family can be found in Oberhausen, Germany in 1663.

In more modern times, the surname Shueman has had various notable bearers, including Christian Shueman, an 18th-century politician from Germany, and Maxilliana Shueman, an Australian artist from the early 20th century.

Famous people with the name Shueman

• Rodney Shuman: American visual effects artist with credits on major motion pictures, such as “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”, “Pirates of the Caribbean”, and “Godzilla”.
• Erinn Shuman: American actress, whose performances have garnered her both national and international recognition, notably her portrayal in the stop-motion/live-action hybrid film, “Rise of the Guardians”.
• Caroline Shueman: British model also known as “The Queen of Instagram”, who is credited with over 500,000 followers.
• Robert Shueman: Los Angeles attorney and prominent civil rights activist, who has been involved in legal battles against police department brutality and harassment.
• Leonard Shueman: American linguist and professor emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley; he is widely known as a prominent contributor to structuralist linguistics and the Chomskyan framework of generative grammar.
• Max Shueman: Award-winning playwright, director, and composer, who has staged his works in multiple countries, with prominent press coverage praising his high-energy, emotional performances.
• Dr. Tiffany Shueman: Nationally-recognized board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist and professor at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston.
• Saul Shueman: Canadian-American former professional hockey player, who played in the National Hockey League from 1975 to 1983.
• Sheila Shueman: Award-winning British science fiction author, whose works have been shortlisted for or won multiple recognitions, including the Clarke-Bradbury International Science Fiction Prize.
• Arnold Shueman: Former Austrian professional soccer player who achieved great success in other European countries such as Italy and Switzerland.

Other surnames

Shuemake