Surname Schang - Meaning and Origin
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Schang: What does the surname Schang mean?
The surname Schang is of German origin, derived from the Germanic “Schanger”, meaning “guard” or “watchman”. It is believed to have been a nickname for someone who was diligent and vigilant in their duties or a name given to someone who was a watchman or custodian. The name is common throughout German-speaking areas, especially in the area of the Palatinate, but is also found in adjacent French regions.
Today, Schang can refer to people with German backgrounds and is found all over the world. The name is often spelled Schang, Shang, Schanke, Sark, and Sock. Those with the surname Schang include Jacob Schang, a famed American Organist and organ professor, and Erich Schang, an Austrian artist.
The Schang surname is commonly found in records of farmers, merchants, merchants, and clerics. Usually, the people bearing this name belonged to extended family networks which were both socially and economically interconnected. It is likely that this name was passed down from generation to generation and people took pride in having it.
Overall, the surname Schang represents diligence, watchfulness, and a strong sense of family connection.
Order DNA origin analysisSchang: Where does the name Schang come from?
The last name Schang is most common in Germany today. According to the last census of 2019, there are over 10,000 Germans bearing the Schang name. It is likely that their origins trace back to the German states, with the majority originating from Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Hesse.
Today, the Schang name is also common in Switzerland. As of 2019, about 5,400 individuals bear the Schang name, and their roots likely go back to the Middle Ages when the Schang surname was first found in the German-speaking regions of Switzerland.
It is also likely found in Austria, due to the many historical links between Austria and Germany. A search of an Austrian phonebook listing reveals around 2,200 individuals with the Schang surname.
In the United States, it is less common, but there are still hundreds of individuals who bear the Schang name. Records from the 1880s through 1910s reveal that many of them immigrated directly from Germany to the US.
Overall, the Schang name is most common in the German-speaking regions of Europe, with a few thousand individuals in the United States.
Variations of the surname Schang
The surname Schang is thought to originate from the German language, and has seen various iterations in terms of spelling. Variants of the Schang surname include Shang, Shanga, Shangs, Schange, Schanges, and Shannge. The spelling variations of the Schangs alone are extensive, as its root syllable "schang" has seen translations in the English alphabet as "sh", "sch", "shch", "schch", and "sz". As for surnames of the same origin, there is Lesschang, which has similar spelling but a different root word, and the Czech surname Schonka, which shares some of the same syllables, though spelled differently.
Other related names include Schatz, Schwein, Schlegel, Schulte, Schahle, and Schaden. Though these have a somewhat similar sound to Schang, their origins stem from different German words, with Schatz meaning "treasure" or "dear/beloved", Schwein meaning "pig/swine", Schlegel meaning "hammer/mallet", Schulte meaning "teacher", Schahle meaning "jester/fool", and Schaden referring to "damage/harm".
There is also a Polish surname from the 15th century with similar pronunciation, known as Szaka, which was derived from personal names with the stem "-ska". In more modern times, due to immigration and intermarriage, variant surnames of Szaka have evolved and spread across different countries. It is largely believed that Szaka is distant in origin from Schang, but it is possible that the two have a more closely related past.
Schang has also been found to be present in Jewish communities, where it would take on a different form known as Schang-Solomon. This variation is likely derived from a combination of the German Schang and the Hebrew word for "Solomon". Ultimately, whether related by origin, language, or sound, the Schang surname has numerous connected surnames and spelling variations, with a rich history and impressive reach.
Famous people with the name Schang
- Drew Schang: Actor, stuntman and producer who has worked on films such as 'The Avengers: Age of Ultron' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest'
- Arthur Schang: Hall of Fame basketball coach who has won four NJCAA Championships
- Lisa Schang: Canadian actress known for her roles in 'Vikings' and 'The Firm'
- Henry Schang: World War II veteran who served in the US Marine Corps
- Donna Schang-Groom: Actress and media personality with small screen credits that include 'The X-Files' and 'Kingdom'.
- Peter Schang: Pianist and composer active on both the classical and jazz scenes.
- Anton Schang: Ethnomusicologist and author who has written on topics ranging from Indonesian music traditions to music dramas in contemporary China.
- Florian Schang: German diver renowned for his achievements in the high-diving discipline
- Paul Schang: American Paralympic sprinter who has represented the US in multiple IPC World Championships
- Weber Schang: Brazilian model and actor who has appeared in print campaigns for Ford, Volkswagen, Calvin Klein and Pepsi.