Surname Schöber - Meaning and Origin

Rediscovering my Roots: The Enriching Experience with iGENEA DNA Test and the Schöber Surname

Discovering the roots of the surname Schöber, the iGENEA DNA test revealed fascinating details about this user's genealogy, leading to connections with a broad family network and uncovering unexpected branches of their family tree.

N. Schöber

Schöber: What does the surname Schöber mean?

The last name Schöber originates from German-speaking regions and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is the combination of two German words: ‘schö’, which is derived from the Old High German word ‘scouwan’, meaning ‘to cry out’; and ‘ber’ which means ‘bear’ or ‘strong’. Combined, Schöber can be interpreted to mean ‘overpowering or impetuous cry’.

The name can also be seen as an occupational surname, originally referring to someone who was a crier or bell-ringer in public buildings and events. As the towns in Europe began to grow in size during the later Middle Ages, criers formed a profession of their own. By the 14th Century, criers held important roles in local justice systems and were often employed by local power-brokers.

Today, the surname Schöber is still widely found in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands. There are also large concentrations of the name in South Africa, where many Germans migrated to as part of the Voortrekker movement from the 1840s onwards.

The name Schöber is also well known beyond its geographical origin thanks to the famous Austrian-born opera singer, Emmy Schöber. She earned fame across the world during the 1920s and '30s for her roles as a coloratura soprano.

The surname Schöber will remain an enduring reminder of an important European family. Its meaning, both literal and figurative, will ensure that the legacy of the name doesn’t fade over time.

Schöber: Where does the name Schöber come from?

The surname Schöber is most common today in Germany. According to the 2017 census, there are approximately 10,400 people with this surname living in that country. It is the 345th most common last name in Germany.

Today, people with the last name Schöber are widely spread throughout Germany, with concentrations primarily in Bavaria, in the northern parts of Hesse, in parts of Baden-Württemberg, and in northern Saxony-Anhalt.

Outside of Germany, Schöber is uncommon but can be occasionally found in other European countries such as Austria, Slovakia, and Czech Republic. Since Germany has traditionally served as a major destination for international migrants, it's possible to find Schöber in various other parts of the world, such as the United States and Canada.

The surname Schöber originates from first name 'Schober', which is itself derived from an Old High German word referring to someone who wears a short jerkin, or a man who was dressed in garb from the waist up. As a result, it is thought that the Schöber surname was mainly adopted as a 'workman's surname' by individuals who were involved in certain crafts or occupations. Today, Schöber is nevertheless the name of a proud family across Germany and the wider world.

Variations of the surname Schöber

The surname Schöber is derived from the Middle High German word “Schöber”, meaning “craftsman” or “artisan”. It is mostly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The variants and spellings of the surname Schöber include: Schöberle, Schöberlin, Schöberer, Schöberl, Schöberling, Schöbere, Schöberlein, and Schoeber.

In the US, the surnames Schauer/Shauer, Schaur/Shaur, Schhauer/Shaurer, and Schaurer/Shaurer are all variants or spellings of the surname Schöber. It is thought that Schöber, Schauer/Shauer, and Schaur/Shaur are variants of the same surname derived from the Middle High German SCHAUER, meaning “guard” or “lookout tower”. In contrast, Schhauer/Shaurer and Schaurer/Shaurer are variants of the same surname derived from the scharf/sharp meaning.

In England, a common variant of the surname Schöber is Shaefer. This surname is derived from the Middle High German word “schäfer”, meaning “shepherd”. Shaefer is one of the more common anglicized variations of the surname Schöber.

In Scotland, Schöber is commonly spelled Schaber. This variant is derived from the Old German word “scababar”, meaning “to scrape or scour”, and is common in the Lowland and Borders region.

Schöber is also found in other countries, such as Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, and Hungary, and may be spelled differently depending on the country. In Austria, Schöber is commonly spelled Schöberer, Schöberl, or Schöberlin. In Poland, variants of the surname include Szczybor, Szczyborek, Szczyborski, and Szczyborowski. In the Czech Republic, it is spelled Schöbl or Schöbel, while in Hungary it is spelled Szeböber.

No matter what variant of the surname Schöber is used, all of them are derived from the same Middle High German word.

Famous people with the name Schöber

• Everhard Schöber: German court treasurer and politician of the 18th century
• Gustav Schöber: German officer and war-hero of the 19th century
• Georg Schöber: German chemist, active in tracer-research in the early 20th century
• Konrad Schöber: German military leader and government official in World War I
• Otto Schöber: German zoologist in the 20th century
• Robert Schöber: German sculptor, active in the early 20th century
• Wilhelm Schöber: German officer in World War II
• Hans Schöber: Bavarian master goldsmith in the 19th century
• Jacob Schöber: German author and musicologist of the early 20th century
• Martin Schöber: German engineer and inventor of the 20th century
• Friedrich Schöber: Austrian military official in the 19th century
• Johann Schöber: German architect and city planner in the 19th century
• Franz Schöber: German lawyer and political leader in the 20th century
• Heinrich Schöber: German entomologist in the 19th century
• Wilhelm Schöber von Bernuth: German professor of classical philology in the 19th century
• Joseph Schöber: Austrian architect and city planner in the 19th century
• Walter Schöber: German general in World War II
• Max Schöber: German detective and crime-fighter in the early 20th century

Other surnames

SchöbeckSchöbekSchoberlSchöberlSchöberleSchöberleinSchobertSchöbertSchoberthSchobey