Surname Schoby - Meaning and Origin
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Schoby: What does the surname Schoby mean?
The last name Schoby appears to be of German origin but its meaning isn't exactly clear as it's not a common surname. Often, German surnames are derived from occupations, geographical locations, or distinguishing characteristics. They can also come from ancestral given names. However, specific connection or meaning for the name "Schoby" is not easily discoverable and might be lost to history. It might have derivations or links to other German surnames and could have evolved over time. It is advisable for those interested in discovering the specific meaning or history behind this name to conduct family lineage or genealogical research to garner more detailed information. Please bear in mind that many last names have been heavily altered spelling-wise over centuries, and identifying their original meaning or source may prove challenging.
Order DNA origin analysisSchoby: Where does the name Schoby come from?
The last name Schoby is most common in North America, especially in the United States and Canada. In the US, the name Schoby is most prevalent in the states of Washington, Oregon, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan, though it can be found in some other areas as well. In Canada, the name is more concentrated in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
The name Schoby is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word 'Schob', which translates to 'bend or turn'. It is believed to refer to someone who lived near a bend of a river or other curved or crooked terrain. It could also be a nickname for someone who was particularly agile or skilful in avoiding obstacles.
In the US, Schoby appears in records as far back as the 1700s, with the first recorded bearer of the name being Alexander Schoby of Washington County, Maryland, who was born in 1778. In Canada, records of the name trace back to Johannes Schoby, a German immigrant who settled in the province of Alberta in the late 19th century.
Though it has appeared as far back as the 1700s in North America, the last name Schoby is still relatively uncommon today. It tends to have quite a small geographical distribution, though it does have a presence in a few areas of the US and Canada.
Variations of the surname Schoby
The surname Schoby is of German origin and is believed to be derived from the archaic fixed name Schobbe. The spelling of this surname is now commonly seen as Schobey, Schobie, Schobey, Shobey, Shobie, Schoby, Shoby, Showby and Shooby. However, some variants may spell the name differently.
Surnames with similar origins include Schobah, Schobaeh, Schobage, Schobahr, Schobalk, Schobell, Schobener, Schoberg, Schobiger, Schobitz, or Schobb.
In addition to being derived from a fixed name, the origin of the Schoby surname could also be from the Old High German or Old Saxon 'schoby' which means 'bindweed'. It could also come from 'schobben', which is an old word meaning 'to take by surprise'.
Variants of the surname Schoby are most commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. As the surname became more prevalent in different countries, various spellings were adopted, making it even more difficult to trace the origins of the surname.
The variants and surnames of the same origins of Schoby clearly demonstrate the complicated and often challenging process of tracing one's ancestors or determining one's surname. Different spellings of the same name can lead to confusion and difficulty in family tree research, however with persistence and the right tools, the search can be made simpler.
Famous people with the name Schoby
- John Schoby: an American businessman and entrepreneur who founded the family-owned wine and grape business, Schoby's.
- Eric Schoby: a retired professional American ice hockey player and former head coach of the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD) men's hockey team.
- David Schoby: an amateur-professional golfer from Wisconsin.
- Peter Schoby: a former president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).
- Leona Schoby: a Canadian nurse and educator, known for her prominent role in nursing and medical education in Toronto, including founding the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO).
- Edmund Schoby: a pioneering Canadian aviation executive and public servant.
- Emily Schoby: an American actress best known for her role as Meg Ryan's assistant in the romantic comedy You've Got Mail (1998).
- Bret Schoby: a professional American baseball player from Washington State, currently a coach in the Seattle Mariners' minor league system.
- Frederick Schoby: a prominent Canadian lawyer, politician and civil servant.
- Brian Schoby: a Canadian actor, director and producer, starring in television shows such as Corner Gas and The Beachcombers.