Last Name Schneider

The surname Schneider is of Germanic origin. It derives from the Middle High German "schneitere," meaning a "cutter" or "one who works with a knife." This occupation-based name was given to people involved in the trade of cutting and shaping wood, metal, or textiles, particularly tailors and carpenters. In its modern form, Schneider is widespread across Central Europe, notably in Germany and Switzerland.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Schneider

The meaning and origin of the last name Schneider

The surname Schneider is of Germanic origin, derived from the Middle High German word "schneidin," meaning 'to cut.' This occupational name was given to individuals who were tailors or cloth finishers, as their profession involved cutting and sewing fabric. The term may also have been used metaphorically for someone who "cut" a fine figure or was skilled in some other way. The Schneider family is found predominantly in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the northern part of Italy, where the name has been recorded since the Middle Ages. It is also common among German-speaking immigrant populations in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Brazil. The Schneider surname remains widespread today, reflecting the historical importance of the tailoring profession in European society.

Geographical distribution of the last name Schneider

The surname Schneider is predominantly of German and Swiss origin, with the highest concentrations found in these two countries. In Germany, it is most frequent in the southern states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Hesse. In Switzerland, it is especially common in the German-speaking cantons like Aargau, Basel-Land, and St. Gallen. Additionally, Schneider is also prevalent among the Germanic communities in neighboring countries such as Austria, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein. Beyond Europe, significant populations of individuals with the last name Schneider can be found in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada, due to German immigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries. There are also communities with the Schneider surname in South America, Africa, and Asia, primarily among the diaspora of German immigrants who settled there.

Variants and spellings of the last name Schneider

The surname Schneider has various spelling variations due to differences in transliteration and regional pronunciation. Some common variations include: Schneidere, Schnaieder, Schnayder, Schnieders, Schneyder, Schenader, Schneitler, Schnetler, Schnyder, Schnedler, Schniedler, Schniedle, Schniedel, Schniederlin, Schniedelin, Schnadrich, and Schniedrich. These variations may be found in different countries or among families with distinct cultural backgrounds. The original German name Schneider translates to "tailor" or "sewer" in English, indicating that the original bearers of this surname were craftspeople who worked with fabric and clothing.

Famous people with the last name Schneider

Prominent individuals sharing the surname Schneider include:

1. Jennifer Schneider (born 1984), an American former professional tennis player who reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 326 in January 2007.

2. David Lee Roth (born 1954), an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and actor, best known as the vocalist for the hard rock band Van Halen from 1974 to 1985.

3. Jon Schneider (born 1962), an American actor who played Deputy Chief Brendan "Brenda" Jennings on the television series The Shield, earning a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2004.

4. Edward John Schneider (1958–2019), an American computer scientist and entrepreneur, known for co-founding Packet Design, which was one of the first companies to offer Internet protocol analyzers.

5. Max Schneider (born 1993), an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is best known for his singles "Lifeline" and "Blacked Out."

6. Richard Schneider (born 1948), a former American professional ice hockey goaltender who played parts of two seasons with the Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League (NHL).

These individuals have made significant contributions to various fields, including sports, music, acting, and technology.

Genealogical research on the last name Schneider

The surname Schneider, originating from Germanic roots, has a rich history and diverse distribution across various regions. Derived from the Old High German 'snedan', meaning 'to cut' or 'to carve', the name was often given to individuals involved in the profession of a woodcutter or tailor. The earliest records of the Schneider family can be traced back to medieval Germany, with prominent branches found in regions such as Swabia and Thuringia during the Middle Ages. As Europe underwent significant migrations, Schneiders spread across borders, settling in neighboring countries including France, Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands. In the 19th century, a substantial number of Schneiders emigrated to the United States, particularly to Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin, as part of the larger wave of German immigration. Today, the Schneider name remains common in Germany and many other countries, reflecting its long and storied history.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Schneider"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 June 2025

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