Surname Schiestl - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schiestl: What does the surname Schiestl mean?
The last name Schiestl is a German surname, originating from Tyrol in Austria. It is derived from the old German words “schetzl” or “scheuzele”, meaning “drawer” or “sheath”. It was most likely a nickname for someone who drew or stored things away in a drawer or sheath.
The surname could have become widespread due to the agricultural dominance of its native Tyrol region, since the name implies manual labour of some sort. In addition, the surname may have been used to denote an abundance of possessions or wealth, which would have been a noticeable feature of those living in the area.
Today, Schiestl is not a common surname, but the name is found in Austria, Switzerland and the surrounding regions. It is likely that those who still hold the Schiestl surname are descendants of those whose original trades are linked to the historic meaning of the name.
Schiestl is certainly an old name with a unique and interesting story. Its true origin has been all but forgotten, but it remains relevant in the modern-day as a reminder of the long-standing relationship between the people of Austria and the lands they used to inhabit.
Order DNA origin analysisSchiestl: Where does the name Schiestl come from?
The last name Schiestl is most commonly found in Austria. Its prevalence is highest in Austria's state of Upper Austria, which accounts for about 40 percent of total registered Schiestl families. Large numbers of Schiestl families are also found in Bavaria, Lower Austria, Styria, Tyrol, Carinthia, Salzburg and Vienna. The surname is German in origin and appears to have been established in Austria in the 1700s, as records of the name have been documented since the mid-18th century.
The Schiestl family name is thought to have derived from the Middle High German word "schīz," meaning "division" or "split," and may have been attributed to someone who lived near a split landmark or who had a split appearance, such as a beard divided down the middle.
Today, the Schiestl name is found in numerous countries around the world, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, and Argentina. Despite its global spread, Austrian citizens remain the leading demographic of individuals with the Schiestl surname. Additionally, the Schiestl family continues to enjoy prominence in the region, with several well-known inhabitants making their home in and around Upper Austria.
Variations of the surname Schiestl
The surname Schiestl is also known by many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the more common spellings and surnames include Schiestel, Schystl, Schystel, Schiztl, Schistl, Schitzel, Scheystl, Scheystel, and Schiestl.
The origin of the Schiestel family is from the region of Bavaria in southeastern Germany. The origin can be traced back to the 11th Century when the earliest recorded uses of the surname appeared. In the modern era, the Schiestl surname has spread to many Western countries, and can be found in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
In some areas, the Schiestel surname has mutated into other spellings such as Shustel, Schutzle, Schudel, Shitzelle, and Schustel. In rarer cases, the surname has been transliterated into English versions, transforming it into Schestel, Schittel, and Shittel.
Although there are many variations of the surname, many people with the surname Schiestel, Shiztl, Schystl, or Schistl can all trace their origin back to the same region. The common thread between all of these spelling variations is a strong connection to the Bavarian region of Germany. As such, these spellings could easily be considered as one unified surname.
Famous people with the name Schiestl
- Robert Schiestl: Austrian footballer who currently plays for SV Horn.
- Gerald Schiestl: Austrian musician and composer.
- Leopold Schiestl: Austrian physicist who made substantial contributions to the field of optical spectroscopy.
- August Schiestl: Austrian pianist and composer of both religious music and popular songs.
- Rupert Schiestl: Austrian alpine skier who won a bronze medal at the 2006 Torinos Olympics.
- Herbert Schiestl: Austrian theatre actor and musician who appeared in numerous plays and musicals.
- Friedrich Schiestl: Austrian-born American composer and organist, best known for his compositions of contemporary Baroque music.
- Katharina Schiestl: Austrian swimmer and Olympic champion.
- Maximilian Schiestl: Austrian alpine skier who won the silver medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.
- Maria Schiestl-Stadler: Austrian flautist and former member of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.