Surname Schaal - Meaning and Origin
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Unveiling My Heritage: Surprising Ancestral Roots and The Saga of Surname ‘Schaal’
Gaining insight into my origins through an iGENEA DNA test put me on a riveting journey of discovery, a voyage filled with surprises. It revealed the historical trajectory of my surname ‘Schaal,’ unraveling unexpected turns and events that shaped my ancestral lineage.
Z. Schaal
read moreSchaal: What does the surname Schaal mean?
Schaal is a German last name derived from the word scale, meaning balance or weight. The root of Schaal is found in the Proto-Germanic language, which is thought to be the common ancestor of many Germanic languages. It is possible that Schaal was originally used as an occupational name for a merchant or trader, as some form of the word scale has been used for centuries to measure and weigh goods.
Additionally, the surname could have been been derived from a nickname given to a person because of some personal trait. For example, in German the word ‘schelte’ meaning scolding, could have been a description of someone known for their sharp tongue, from which the surname Schaal could have evolved.
Regardless of its source, the surname Schaal remains an important part of German heritage and family lines. As Germanic tribes migrated around the world, the surname was carried with them and can be found in many countries, including the United States, where it is thought to be the ninth most common last name of German descent. Research around the Schaal surname may continue to uncover more about its origins and meanings.
Order DNA origin analysisSchaal: Where does the name Schaal come from?
The last name Schaal is a German name that is most prevalent in Germany and Austria. In Germany, it ranks 8,470 out of about 88 million surnames and is most concentrated in the northern part of the country. Additionally, it also appears in several other countries within and outside of Europe.
In Austria, the surname Schaal is most popular in the Bezirk Kufstein in the western portion of the country. It's also found in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Croatia, and other places. The last name Schaal is also found in North America, primarily in the United States and Canada.
In the United States, Schaal is the 4,832nd most common surname overall, and it is most popular in Texas. Data from the 2000 US census reveals that there were 4,112 people with the last name Schaal in the United States at that time. In Canada, approximately 1,304 people had the last name Schaal recorded in Canada’s 2016 census.
Overall, the last name Schaal is most common in Germany, Austria, and the United States. However, it can be found in several other countries around the world, including Canada, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Croatia, giving it international reach.
Variations of the surname Schaal
The surname Schaal is mostly associated with German origins, although it can also be found in some Nordic and Slavic countries, as well as a handful of other countries. Different spellings and variants of the name exist, including but not limited to Schal, Schaal, Schall, Shal, Schaller, Shaler, Schaller, Schuler, Schueller, Schuurman, Skoal, Skoals, Schoel, and Scholer. It is common for surnames to evolve over time, which can explain why so many variants exist for the same name.
The most common spelling of the surname is Schaal, which is widely used throughout Germany and other German-speaking countries. Other countries may use other variants, such as Schal or Shaler. In some cases, the surname has been derived from occupational words such as ‘schaler’, which is German for a shoemaker or saddler. This explains why the surname can occasionally be found spelled ‘Schaller’ or ‘Schuler’.
Surnames can also differ based on the language of the country. For example, in Dutch-speaking countries, the surname may be spelled ‘Schoel’ or ‘Schuurman’, while in Slavic countries it can be spelled ‘Skoal’ or ‘Skoals’. In some instances, the surname is spelled ‘Scholer’, which has origins in the English-speaking countries and is derived from the Old English word ‘Scooler’.
Regardless of the spelling or origin, the surname Schaal is thought to be derived from a nickname that was given to someone who spoke with a husky voice.
Famous people with the name Schaal
- Kristen Schaal: Comedian, actress, and voice actor best known for her roles in The Flight of the Conchords, Bob's Burgers, and Toy Story 3.
- Melissa Schaal: Methodist pastor, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and Former Director of the California Conference of the United Church of Christ's Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry.
- Hannah Schaal: American actress and singer best known for her role as Julie Kinkle in Sweetness & Lightning and for providing the lead vocal for "Otome yo Taishi wo Idake" in Love Love Jester.
- Klaus Schaal: German businessman best known for his involvement in multiple companies, including Bankhaus Lampe, TOOEOO, and Larson Brands.
- Robert Schaal: American farmer and politician from North Dakota who served in the North Dakota Senate from 1963 to 1970.
- Volkmar Schaal: German inventor best known for his invention of the "spinning wheel", which is an adjustment instrument often used in science labs.
- Amanda Schaal: American long jumper who represented the United States at the 2010 World Junior Championships in Athletics.
- Franz Schaal: German criminologist and forensic psychiatrist who was the head of criminology and penology at the University of Munich.
- Ed Schaal: American professional baseball player who played in the major leagues from 1899 till 1912.
- Lily Schaal: German athlete best known for her performance at the 2007 IAAF World Youth Championships where she placed 6th in the 200 meters.