Surname Spitschuh - Meaning and Origin

Spitschuh: What does the surname Spitschuh mean?

The last name Spitschuh is a German surname that originated from the Westphalian region of the Rhineland. It is believed to be derived from the word 'Spitze', an old German word meaning 'peak' or 'tip'. This could be referring to the terrain in Westphalia being quite hilly and full of tall peaks otherwise known as 'Spitze' in German. Alternatively, it could be referring to something with a narrow, pointy shape like a needle or spike.

Therefore, Spitschuh roughly translates to 'of sharp points' or 'of the peak'. This could indicate that the surname's originator was associated with a hill or was known for being sharp or precise at something they did. Additionally, the surname could refer to a family member that came from the highest point of a particular settlement or town.

Notably, Spitschuh is an uncommon surname and is now mostly found in the Westphalian region or countries that have large German populations. Examples include Germany, Austria, South Africa, Australia, and the United States.

Spitschuh: Where does the name Spitschuh come from?

The last name Spitschuh is most commonly found in German-speaking countries, particularly Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is especially prevalent in East and Central Germany, in the area stretching eastward from the city of Dresden. Here, it is among the most widely found surnames.

In the United States, the surname is less common. Only a few hundred people in the United States can trace their ancestry back to the origin of the surname. The most common states with the last name Spitschuh can be found in are Texas, Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin. There are also a few located in other states such as Illinois, Ohio, and Washington.

The majority of those with the last name Spitschuh currently living in the United States are of German descent. They may have immigrated to the US from Europe around the early to mid-1800s, and since then, the surname has slowly spread around the country.

Though the name Spitschuh is not particularly common today, it is still an important surname for those who can trace their roots back to Germany. It carries with it a sense of cultural heritage and connection to one's German ancestry.

Variations of the surname Spitschuh

The surname Spitschuh is an interesting one, with many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

The most obvious variant of the surname is the spelling ‘Spitzeh’. Another variant often seen is ‘Spitzschuh’. Both of these spellings are anglicised versions of the original German spelling ‘Spitschuh’.

Less commonly seen variations are ‘Spitzig’, ‘Spiesshause’, and ‘Spichig’. These spellings may be variants of the original German or of the anglicised spellings.

The surname of the same origin as ‘Spitschuh’ is ‘Spitzl’. ‘Spitzl’ is a modern German spelling, having been anglicised from ‘Spischl’. It is thought to be a reference to a person’s pointy shoes or boots.

In the United States, variants and spellings of the surname are often seen in the form of an undifferentiated surname, such as ‘Spitsuh’ or ‘Spitzchu’.

The surname ‘Spicksuh’ is also thought to be of the same origin as ‘Spitschuh’. This spelling is often found in records of German emigrants in the United States.

Finally, other surnames of the same origin are ‘Spischuhn’ and ‘Spitzshuh’. ‘Spischuhn’ is an anglicised form of the spelling seen in central Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries, whilst ‘Spitzshuh’ is a modern spelling sometimes seen in Germany.

Famous people with the name Spitschuh

• Thomas Spitschuh: German footballer from 1980s and 1990s
• Peter Spitschuh: Archaeologist who led excavations and wrote books on Poehldorfer and Stübing cultures in Northern Bavaria
• Ray Spitschuh: Lead singer of the American pop/rock/New Wave music group, Soft Cell
• Randy Spitschuh: Professional driver and American stock car racer
• William Spitschuh: American actor, best known for his portrayal of President Lincoln in the TV movie "Abe and Mary: A Lincoln Love Story"
• Dr. Luise Spitschuh: German specialist in economic psychology
• Jörg Spitschuh: German swimmer who competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics
• Sabine Spitschuh: German politician and regional minister for integration, family, women and consumer protection in the state of Thuringia
• Gaby Spitschuh: German journalist and television pundit
• Albert Spitschuh: Austrian painter who was active in the 1930s and 1940s

Other surnames

Spitschu