Surname Snidow - Meaning and Origin
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Snidow: What does the surname Snidow mean?
The surname Snidow is an Americanized form of the German surname Schneider, which is an occupational name, directly translated to "tailor" or "cutter" in English. The term Schneider comes from the Middle High German "snider," which means "to cut." In the Middle Ages, Schneider was used to denote people who made clothes by cutting and sewing pieces of fabric. Therefore, the surname Snidow suggests that the earliest individuals with this name likely worked as tailors. The modification of the surname from Schneider to Snidow might indicate a desire to Americanize the name, or it could be the result of transcription errors when German immigrants arrived in the United States. However, it's also possible that the surname Snidow evolved independently from other sources, and may have different etymological origins in different families. Without specific genealogical research, it's difficult to determine the exact meaning or origin of the surname Snidow.
Order DNA origin analysisSnidow: Where does the name Snidow come from?
The last name Snidow is an uncommon name today, with records of it appearing in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
According to the US Census Bureau, the last name Snidow is currently most heavily concentrated in Virginia, followed by West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina. In the United Kingdom, records indicate that the name is most common in England, with the highest frequency in the City of London and Kent regions.
In Canada, the name is most prevalent in British Columbia and Ontario, with the highest concentration in the city of London. Interestingly, it was first found in the United Kingdom prior to its appearance in the United States and Canada.
In general, the geographic distribution of the name Snidow today appears to trace back to the southeastern United States, where records indicate that an ancestor of the name was born around the early 1700s. The Alfred Snidow migration story, which occurred in the 1800s, contributed to the Snidows spread in the eastern United States.
Today, most people with the last name Snidow are descendants of the Alfred Snidow branch, though some members of the clan are from different branches with the name's derivation. As the name is relatively rare, the Snidow name is likely to become even more rare in the years to come.
Variations of the surname Snidow
The surname Snidow (with variations such as Snidowe, Snid Spidow, so Snidow, Schneydow) is derived from the Old English word "snyttrian," meaning "to settle down." Its earliest recorded variant is in the Hundred Rolls of 1279, where it appears as Snytryan.
Variations of the surname include Snead, Sneed, and Sneedow. These spellings evolved from a combination of the middle English spelling of snyttrian, the Old English pronunciation of the same word, and British English pronunciations.
Common surnames of the same origin include Snider, Schneider, and Snyder. These spellings are derived from an Old German spelling of the original Old English word.
Other common variations found around the world include Sneider, Snitter, and Sniderman. These spellings are derived from different languages, such as Dutch, Danish, and Slavic languages.
The modern spelling of Snidow is the most common spelling found in the United States and in Europe. It is also found in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Overall, Snidow is a popular surname with multiple variations and spellings throughout the world.
Famous people with the name Snidow
- Campbell Snidow: an American contemporary painter known for abstract landscapes.
- Mike Snidow: an American painter who combines elements of realism and abstraction in his work.
- Jane Snidow: a Canadian landscape painter and one of the original members of Painters Eleven.
- Harold Snidow: an American illustrator and artist credited with over 400 album covers for singers such as Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, and even the Bee Gees.
- Robert Lee Snidow: an American soldier who served in World War II and the Korean War, earning six Bronze Stars and one Purple Heart.
- Raymond Snidow: an American sculptor who is credited with creating iconic monuments in several states.
- Michael Snidow: a former American football player who played professionally in the CFL.
- Bull Snidow: an American diver who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam.
- Virgil Snidow: an American politician and former mayor of Kanawha.
- Carr Snidow: an American artist who is known for his work in plein air painting.