Surname Schöning - Meaning and Origin

Tracing my Ancestors through iGENEA Test: A Tale of Vikings and Celts in the Schöning Family Lineage

After taking the iGENEA DNA test, my perspective on my surname, Schöning, has shifted drastically. The results, revealing a rich and diverse ancestral background, have substantially influenced my sense of family identity, deepening my connection to my roots and inspiring a journey into the past.

H. Schöning

Schöning: What does the surname Schöning mean?

The German surname Schöning can refer to multiple branches of a single family, who share a common ancestor, but have distinct histories. The word Schöning is derived from the German word “schön”, which means “beautiful” or “lovely”, and so the name connotes a sense of beauty and a liking for the finer things in life.

The family may trace its roots back to the former state of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. In 1890, the Schöning family was recorded as living in several different parts of Saxony-Anhalt, in both urban and rural areas. During the 17th century, some of the Schöning family members also served in militia forces that were formed to protect Berlin.

During the 1800s, the Schöning family dispersed, with some members heading west to the United States, while others moved east to Russia. Some of the family moved to Denmark and created a line of thhe Schöning’s who were commonly referred to as the “Schöning-Schandongs”.

In modern times, the Schöning family is most commonly associated with families of Dutch and German descent, but as stated earlier, many branches of the family stem from different European countries. It is likely that the beauty-oriented meaning of the family name has spread across generations and geographic boundaries, creating a global family identity.

Schöning: Where does the name Schöning come from?

The last name Schöning is commonly found in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking nations. The earliest records of the Schöning family name date back to the mid-18th century in the region of Lower Saxony in Germany. The name is also found in the German state of Bavaria.

In modern times, Schöning is most commonly found in Hamburg, a major city and port in Germany. Beyond Germany, the surname continues to be widely present in Germany's neighboring countries including Austria and Switzerland.

The Schöning family name is often associated with traditional crafts and trades such as construction, baking, and engineering. A large number of Schöning families have contributed significantly to Germany’s industrial and economic development, and this is evidenced by the presence of the name in theprivate sector and the industry.

Schöning is also a popular surname across many parts of the world where German immigrants have settled. For instance, families of German origin in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and other parts of the globe have incorporated the Schöning surname in their everyday life.

As someone with the last name Schöning, I take pride in the history of my family name, as it has become synonymous with spirit, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to the common good.

Variations of the surname Schöning

The surname Schöning is most commonly found in Germany and can have various spellings and variants. Spelling and language variations of the name Schöning include Schoning, Schoening, Schoening, Schöening, Schoninger, Schoningh, Schoningen, Schoenings, Schoeningen, Schönhagen, and Schöninger.

The Schöning surname can be found in six German states including Prussia, Saxony, Bavaria, Hesse-Nassau, Westphalia and Baden. Its name is derived from the German word ‘Schöning', which means ‘beautiful', and is either derived from someone's physical beauty or from someone's beautiful life accomplishments.

In addition, the German surnames Schön and Schöner are also derived from the same root and therefore could also be variants. Schön is an occupational name for a guardsman and is derived from the Middle High German word ‘Schoen'.

Other variants of the name include Shunn, Kshon, Schone, Schonne, Schöne, and Schen. These spellings are found in other countries with populations of German ancestry, such as the United States of America, Brazil, Argentina, and Canada. The surname Kshon, or more specifically Kshon-Schöning, is a well-known spelling variant of Schöning in Switzerland and southern Germany.

In remote areas, there is also evidence of spelling variants such as Schon, Schoen, Schoenen, and Schoendel. Schon is also an alternate form of the Norwegian and Swedish surname Schon.

Finally, the patronymic surname Schöninger deriving from the Schöning surname was also common in Germany. This surname is a combination of the Schöning surname and the patronymic suffix -er indicating a ‘son of Schöning'.

Famous people with the name Schöning

• Hermann Schöning, politician and lawyer
• Eugen Schöning, German banker
• Max Schöning, German figurative sculptor
• Elisa Schöning, German actress
• Christina Schöning, German dancer and actress
• Fritz Schöning, German football referee
• Johannes Schöning, German philologist
• Bernd Schöning, German politician
• Abderrahmane Schöning, German-Fench architect
• August Schöning, German mathematician
• Ida Schöning, German musicologist
• Jack Schöning, German actor
• Charly Schöning, German TV presenter
• Bernhard Schöning, German organist and musicologist
• Hans Schöning, German ice hockey referee
• Dieter Schöning, German jazz musician
• Hellmut Schöning, German yachtsman
• Gero Schöning, German music producer
• Amelie Schöning, German actress and director
• Michael Schöning, German actor and producer

Other surnames

Schöningh