Surname Schnegans - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schnegans: What does the surname Schnegans mean?
The surname Schnegans is an old German name which originated in the Middle Ages from the Northern German areas of Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg. It is composed of two parts: schne, meaning ‘snow’, and gan, applied in German family names to mean ‘son of’. In the Middle Ages, these two elements were commonly used in family names in German-speaking areas of Europe, with the ‘son of’ element often referring to a founding ancestor.
The literal meaning of the surname Schnegans can therefore be understood to mean ‘son of snow’. This could be interpreted as conveying an image of a strong and resilient progenitor, who experienced great adversity and overcame it: the idea of snow in this sense implying the difficult but ultimately rewarding journey of a hardy breed of traveller.
The Snow family were recorded in the Schleswig-Holstein area in the 14th and 15th centuries, with the surname being found in higher numbers in the mid-17th century in East Prussia and Poland. By this time, their name had settled into the spelling of Schnegans. As such, the Schnegans family have provided a strong connection between many regions, where their surname has often been found in many parts of Europe including Germany, England, the Netherlands, and some regions in North America.
In summary, Schnegans is an old German name conveying the literal image of a determined and son of snow and have proven to be a resilient family, whose name has spread across many regions of Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisSchnegans: Where does the name Schnegans come from?
The last name Schnegans is most commonly found in Germany, Belgium, and other areas of northern Europe. It could also be found in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The origin of the Schnegans name is uncertain, but it is thought to derive from the Middle German word "snegens" which means "divided in the middle." This could indicate a geographical origin from the region which was divided between Germany and Belgium.
The Schnegans family has spread across Europe and the Americas since the 17th century. Records suggest that the first Schnegans to arrive in America as early settlers were from the German states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Westphalia.
The surname Schnegans is fairly common in Germany today, particularly in the areas of Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria, and Baden-Wurttemberg. In the US, the Schnegans surname can be found in cities and states with large German-American populations such as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota.
In recent years, Schnegans can also be found in Canada, Mexico, and other Latin American countries. The Schnegans surname can also be found in Australia and South Africa.
The Schnegans name is a part of European history, and has spread across the world. The family continues to grow and thrive, and many Schnegans continue to pursue their dreams in modern times.
Variations of the surname Schnegans
The surname Schnegans is derived from the Old German “schnigan” which means “to grub” or “to toil”. It is a very common surname in both Germany and the United States and it has many variations, spellings, and surnames of similar origin.
Variations of Schnegans include Schoenig, Schenking, Schneggenburger, Schoengen, Schneckengast, Schnekenburger, Schoengener, Schnekenbeck, and many more.
Americanized spellings of the name typically include Schnieg, Schneegins, Schnegen, Schneegan, and Schneggans.
Some similar Germanic surnames include Schnelzer, Schnitker, Schnitger, Schniedermann, Schnieder, Schnieders, Schniedes, Schnischel, Schnitzer, Snider, Schneider, and Schnitz.
It is unclear when the name first emerged in German-speaking countries, although records dating back to the 1700s have confirmed its presence. It is thought that the name likely originated from a nickname given to Old German peasants due to their industriousness and hard work.
Whether spelled differently or of similar origin, Schnegans is a popular German surname that is found all over the world.
Famous people with the name Schnegans
- George Schnegans, a German figure skater
- Nestor Schnegans, an Argentine actor
- Charles Schnegans, an American inventor
- Ruben Schnegans, a Dutch footballer
- Simon Schnegans, a German painter
- Petra Schnegans, a German television presenter
- Bernadette Schnegans, a Swiss singer
- Hugo Schnegans, an Italian wheelchair racer
- Nick Schnegans, a British soap opera actor
- Albert Schnegans, an Austrian rugby player