Surname Schütten - Meaning and Origin
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Schütten: What does the surname Schütten mean?
The surname Schütten is derived from German and translates roughly to mean either “shutter” or “one who drops, sheds, or casts off”. It is often found with various spellings such as "Schuetten" or "Schuttens".
The name is likely derived from the occupation of its original bearer. In the Middle Ages, certain jobs were passed down from father to son and eventually would become inherited surnames. Those working with shutters may have received this surname, as shutters were a necessary part of windows in medieval buildings.
Alternatively, the name may have been attributed to someone who had an affinity for dropping or casting off items, such as coins or stones. This meaning translates to “Schütten”, which then developed into a surname over time. This practice of adding a profession or characteristic as a surname became more and more common as the population increased and surnames became necessary.
In modern times, people bearing the surname Schütten are found mainly in Germany, but can also be found in other countries with German heritage, such as the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland. Today, the surname can indicate either one of the two meanings mentioned before, or neither.
Order DNA origin analysisSchütten: Where does the name Schütten come from?
The surname Schütten is most commonly found today in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is estimated that its origins date back to Medieval times when people in these regions adopted surnames. Its literal translation is “thurifer”, meaning one who carries a thurible, which is a censer used to deliver incense in religious ceremonies.
The surname is particularly prevalent among German-speaking Swiss. There, it is found in about 0.37% of the population, making it one of the 250 most common Swiss surnames. It is also found in Germany and Austria, though records are not as comprehensive.
In parts of the United States, the name is believed to have been introduced by German immigrants during colonial times. Today, it is most commonly found in states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, which served as destinations for German immigrants in the 18th and 19th centuries. It can also be found in some parts of Canada, Australia, and other countries.
Spelling variations of the name Schütten are common, and include Schuetten, Schutten, Schatten, Shatten, Shutten, and Shuton. As with many surnames, its spelling has changed over time as it has spread around the world.
Variations of the surname Schütten
The Schütten surname has many variants and spellings, with two main branches: Schütte and Schütten.
Schütte is one of the two main branches of the surname, and was derived from the Middle High German “schutte”, meaning a person who works with wood or leather. Commonly found as Schutte in Germany, the spelling of this branch of the surname has been adopted in other countries, with variants such as Schutta, Schuta, Schuthe, Schutte, Schuttes, and Schutt.
The second main branch of the Schütten surname is Schütten, and is found predominantly in Germany. Deriving from the Middle High German “schuoten”, meaning “to find protection”, it is mainly spelled in one form, though variants of Schütten include Schuetten, Schütte, Schütter, and Schütterle.
Surnames of similar origin include Schutzer and Schütz, both derived from the Middle High German “schuotzari”, meaning “to guard” or “to protect”. Schütten can also be found in some versions as Shotten, and variants such as Schotting, Schütting, and Schütterling are also fairly common.
Other related surnames include Schut and Schöttler, which both derive from the Middle High German “schuot”, meaning a person who guards or protects something.
Overall, there are many variants and spellings of the Schütten surname, many of which are found predominantly in Germany and share a similar origin.
Famous people with the name Schütten
- Jörg Schütten: German football player
- Siggi Schütten: Swiss footballer
- Manfred Schütten: German Grand Prix motorcyclist
- Heinz Schütten: Swiss footballer
- Michael Schütten: German ski jumper
- Derek Schütten: German handball player
- Pascal Schütten: Austrian slalom canoer
- Jochen Schütten: German synchronized swimmer
- Stefan Schütten: Austrian athlete
- Ludwig Schütten: German cyclist
- Peter Schütten: German entrepreneur
- Alexander Schütten: Austrian actor
- Reinhard Schütten: German jazz trumpeter
- Jean Schütten: Swiss politician
- Markus Schütten: German festival director