Surname Scheidegger - Meaning and Origin

Riding the Helix: My Scheidegger Ancestral Journey through iGENEA DNA Test

My DNA test at iGENEA was an eye-opening journey excavating unexpected truths about my Scheidegger ancestors. This exploration forged links between my traits and my ancestry, subtly re-shaping how I perceive myself.

Y. Scheidegger

Scheidegger: What does the surname Scheidegger mean?

The last name Scheidegger is a German and Swiss surname derived from the Middle High German word "Scheideggen," which means "to divide, to separate." This likely stems from the Germanic word "scaidan," which means "to separate, divide" or "to be divided."

The Scheideggers are believed to have originated in an area of Switzerland known as the Scheidegg region in the canton of Bern in the Jura Mountains. It is thought that during the Middle Ages, members of the Scheideggen family moved to other regions of Switzerland and Europe where they adopted other local surnames.

There are several variant spellings of the name such as Scheideger, Scheidegge, Scheidecker, Scheidiger, Schidegger and Schidiger.

The Scheidegger name is derived from a person's occupation as a divider or one who separated things. This could have included separating grains of wheat or other materials, or it could have been a sheep herder. It could also have been someone who apportioned or measured goods in a marketplace.

Overall the last name Scheidegger is an old Germanic surname that most likely originated in Switzerland during the Middle Ages and now is found throughout Switzerland and much of Europe. It is derived from a person's job as a divider of materials or goods, and it is a testament to the rich history of the Swiss and German people.

Scheidegger: Where does the name Scheidegger come from?

The last name Scheidegger is a common name in several parts of Europe, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Northern Italy. It is an old surname derived from the Middle High German word “Scheid” meaning a small part, or division, leading many to believe it originates from a division of some kind.

In Germany, the name is more commonly found in the southwestern states of Baden-Württemberg, parts of Hesse, and some areas of the former West Germany. It is also found in several regions of Austria and Switzerland, such as the Swiss canton of Zurich.

In Palestine, the name was brought by Swiss immigrants who had emigrated to the region in the 19th century. Some of their descendents still carry the name today. It is also commonly used in North and South America, particularly in countries such as Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Venezuela, and Uruguay.

The last name has also spread to parts of South East Asia and China, particularly in regions such as Singapore and Malaysia, where some of the oldest Scheidegger lineages are found, having been taken there by travelers from Europe.

Overall, although the last name Scheidegger has its origins in Europe, it is considered a global surname today, with families and lineages spread across various parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Scheidegger

The surname Scheidegger is a common Swiss name that has evolved into a variety of spellings over time. The most common variant is the name Scheideggen. It is believed to have originated in the Electorate of the Palatinate, now a part of modern Germany, before appearing in Switzerland.

Other spellings of the surname include Scheidegge, Scheideg, Scheidiger, Scheidiger, Scheidege, Scheidegel, Scheidegg, Scheidegel, Scheideggsch, and Scheideman. It is also found in some form or another in Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein.

In some cases, the surname Scheidegger has also taken the form of a middle name. This includes Scheidegger-Gosh, Scheidegger-Greger and Scheidegger-Gruen.

For the Dutch-speaking parts of Switzerland, the spelling changes to Sceidegger and Sceideggen. In Switzerland itself, the spelling changes slightly to Schäidegger and Schäideggen.

Other variations of the surname include Scheidegger- memorization of an ancestor’s name, Scheidegger-Lichtensteiger, a common combination surname, and De Scheidegger, which is a common form used by Dutch speaking families.

In the U.S., a very small number of families with the name Scheidegger are known to have adopted the simple spelling Scheideger.

It’s clear that the surname Scheidegger has a long history and is found in a variety of spellings in a number of countries, all stemming from the same ancestral roots.

Famous people with the name Scheidegger

• Fanny Scheidegger: Swiss Paralympic swimmer who competed in the 2016 Paralympics, winning gold and silver medals.
• David Scheidegger: Swiss multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter.
• Henry Scheidegger: Swiss master baker and chocolatier who invented the Toblerone and Orion chocolate bars.
• Fredy Scheidegger: Swiss author and world traveler who wrote many books about his experiences.
• Roy Scheidegger: Swiss-American screenwriter, actor and director, best known for writing and directing the film The Usual Suspects.
• Al Scheidegger: Swiss-American racing driver who competed in Formula One and raced at the Indianapolis 500.
• Phil Scheidegger: Swiss sculptor and painter, best known for creating the Monument to the Unknown cyber-victim in Basel, Switzerland.
• Roger Scheidegger: Swiss international polo and tennis player, winner of the Swiss national tennis championship several times.
• Urs Scheidegger: Swiss-American author, poet and playwright, best known for writing the drama To Lie or Not to Lie.
• Gennadi Scheidegger: Swiss politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1976 to 1980.

Other surnames

Scheidegg