Surname Schießwohl - Meaning and Origin
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Schießwohl: What does the surname Schießwohl mean?
The surname Schießwohl is an occupational name derived from the Old High German word “schiesen” meaning “to shoot” and the Old German word “wêl(a)” meaning “well”. This combination of words thus refers to a person involved in the shooting of weapons or firearms as a profession. This could describe a hunter, an archer, or a fighter.
The name Schießwohl likely originated in the medieval region of modern Bavaria. It is believed to have been brought to the region by Swedish or Dutch immigrants in the 15th or 16th century. The surname is still present today in many parts of Germany.
The surname Schießwohl is also known the whole world over as a result of the many German emigrants who traveled to America in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This has spread the surname to the United States, Canada, Australia, and beyond.
The meaning of the surname Schießwohl reflects some of the traditional values and lifestyles of the early German people. It speaks to the importance of the hunting and shooting discipline for survival, recreation, and entertainment. It is a notable reminder of the formidable skill and dedication many members of this historical population possessed.
Order DNA origin analysisSchießwohl: Where does the name Schießwohl come from?
The last name Schießwohl is most commonly found in Germany today. It is part of the greater German family of surnames, which encompasses thousands of different spellings and origins. It is believed to be a relatively uncommon surname, with the most recent analysis showing a high concentration in Germany’s southern and western regions.
The etymology of Schießwohl is unclear, though linguists assume it to be a bahuvrihi compound composed of two German words: “schieß” (“to shoot”) and “wohl” (“well”). Consequently, some experts trace the name back to a medieval military title or rank. Whether this is true or not, Schießwohl is still often associated with the words “shoot well” in a metaphorical sense, meaning to succeed in everything or to be lucky.
Historically, the Schießwohl family has been quite minor, but in recent years its members have spread out across Germany and beyond. In Berlin, for example, an official record from the early 19th century shows the family name was already well-established in the population count. Along the same lines, a cursory search on the internet highlights several contemporary individuals with the name.
Having said that, it nevertheless appears that the degree of presence for the Schießwohl name has remained relatively limited over time. For instance, a 2020 statistical survey concludes that, compared to other surnames, its occurrence is quite rare.
Overall, the last name Schießwohl is predominantly concentrated in Germany today, though there are fewer examples of its use encountered than similar surnames.
Variations of the surname Schießwohl
The surname Schießwohl is of German origin and is most commonly spelled as Schießwohl in its original form. It has also been spelt as Schiesswohl, Schiesswohla, Scheisswohl and Shisswohl.
It's a patronymic surname meaning ‘son of Schies’, and is most likely derived from an old German personal name 'Schies'. The prefix ‘schies’ can be associated with the words ‘schies’ meaning 'shining' and ‘sciewo’ meaning 'sword'. Therefore it may have been used by someone who was effective with a sword or who shone brightly while using it.
The variants of Schießwohl include Schies, Schieswohl, Schiessel, Schisswohl, Shies, Shiessel, Schiss, Shiss, Shisswohl, Scheiss, Scheisswohl, Scheisswohle and Schisswohle. These spellings arose from dialectal variations of the original spelling of the surname.
Several variant surnames descend from Schießwohl, such as Schmidt, Schmitt, Schnieder, Schneider and Schnidt. These surnames developed as spelling variations of the original surname over the generations, most likely as a result of families who had moved across different regions in Germany.
The surname Schießwohl is not especially uncommon and can be found in contemporary Germany as well as elsewhere in Europe.
Famous people with the name Schießwohl
- Theodor Schießwohl (1861-1915) German journalist during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Jürgen Schießwohl (1939-2010) East German jurist, left-wing politician and President of the People's Chamber in 1989-90.
- Hans Schießwohl (1919-2003) German engineer and scholar who received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for his services to engineering, higher education, and international scientific exchange.
- Karl-Heinz Schießwohl (1912-1978) German geographer and professor at the University of Münster.
- Fritz Schießwohl (1908-1977) German novelist and poet.
- Wilhelm Schießwohl (1890-1945) German trade unionist, social democrat, and member of the German resistance against the Nazi regime.
- Erika Schießwohl (1907-1996) German graphic artist, bookbinder, and Aberrant-school woodcut artist.
- Thomas Schießwohl (1976-present) German film director, writer, and producer, known primarily for documentaries focusing on contemporary social and political issues.
- Myra Schießwohl (1929-present) German textile and jewelry designer who has had a long and successful career.
- Heinz Schießwohl (1932-present) German politician and former Mayor of Groß Glienicke, Germany.