Surname Schultheihs - Meaning and Origin
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Schultheihs: What does the surname Schultheihs mean?
The last name Schultheihs is a German surname that originated from the Middle High German word schultheiß, that roughly translates to “bailiff” or “judge.” In the Middle Ages, this was a title given to someone who was in charge of local, or royal judicial proceedings and administered justice on behalf of the ruler. The term Schultheiss is still used today to refer to mayors in Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.
The Schultheihs surname arose from a person being related to a judicial officer, or someone who held a seat of power similar to that of a mayor. It was originally derived from old noble or feudal systems, and is still used throughout Europe to indicate someone of high social status. This name has been passed down for generations, and still resonates with its historical meaning today.
Historically, the Schultheihs surname was a prominent one and was linked to several notable figures including Otto Schultheiss, who was an important German politician during the Weimar Republic in the 20th century. Likewise, Richard Schultheiss, a renown German engineer and inventor in the early 20th century is also linked to this name. With its distinguished history, the Schultheihs surname continues to be held in the highest regard within German and European culture.
Order DNA origin analysisSchultheihs: Where does the name Schultheihs come from?
The last name Schultheihs is most commonly found in the German-speaking areas of Europe and their descendants around the world. In Germany, the variant spelling Schultheis is even more common today, with over 11,000 people sharing the name. It is also found in Austria (Schultheiß), Switzerland (Schultheiss) and Luxembourg (Schultheis).
In the U.S., Canada and Australia, the Schultheihs name is less common but still present. It is most frequently found in areas with large German immigrant populations, such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. A few thousand people in the U.S. bear the last name.
The Schultheihs name is also present in Latin America, thanks to German immigrants and their descendants from over the centuries. In Argentina and Brazil, the name can be found among the country’s German-speaking communities, with a much smaller presence in other countries such as Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Ancestry.com also lists Schultheihs as one of its most common surnames in Scotland, Ireland and Great Britain. However, the origin of the name in this region is still unknown, and it may not be related to the areas in Germany.
On the other hand, the Schultheihs surname is nearly non-existent in East Asia, Africa and the Middle East, suggesting that it has not experienced significant immigration or diaspora from its German heritage.
Variations of the surname Schultheihs
The surname Schultheihs is derived from the German word “schultheiß”, meaning “shepherd” or “bailiff”. It is a common German surname and has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Variant spellings of Schultheihs include Schultheis, Schultheiss, Schulthess, Schultheys, Schultheys, Schuldheis, Schuldheys, Schuldheiss, Schuldhess, and Schulthies.
Related surnames of the same origin include Schult, Schulter, Schuldt, Schuler, Schulten, Schultheiss, Schulte, Schultheys, Schlehuber, Scholz, Schoeler, Schoeller, Shoemaker, Sendeler, and Senderling.
Some English-speaking countries also use variants of Schultheihs, including Shuler, Schuler, Scholes, Schell, and Shell.
The variation of spellings of Rhineland-Palatine surnames was once very common, given the dialects used in certain regions and the farmers’ tendency to adopt more phonetic spelling. For example, the Schuldheiss spelling is commonly found in Swabian while the Schuldheys variant is common in the Palatinate.
Overall, Schultheihs is a popular German surname that has a number of related and variant spellings, making it difficult to trace one particular lineage. It is also seen in certain English-speaking countries, such as the United States.
Famous people with the name Schultheihs
- Mark Schultheiss: American Tenns Pro and Former ATP Singles World No. 98
- William Schultheiss: Former Swiss-American politician and former member of the United States House of Representatives
- Fritz Schultheiss: Former German film actor
- Ludwig Schultheiss: Former German Unification Party politician and minister
- Christian Type Schultheiss: Former German merchant and co-founder of the Schultheiss Brewery
- Max Schultheiss: Former German imperial general and World War I Supreme Commander
- Helmut Schultheiss: Former German air force general
- Konstanze Schultheiss: German opera mezzo-soprano
- Franz Schultheiss: Former German Federal Defence Minister
- Reinhard Schultheiss: German multimedia artist and film director