Surname Schiele - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
iGENEA DNA Test: Embracing the Schiele Legacy Within My Genes
Through an iGENEA DNA test, deeper understanding about the complexities of my family history unfold, transforming the Schiele surname from a generational handover to a rich tapestry of resilience, bravery and human spirit.
P. Schiele
read moreSchiele: What does the surname Schiele mean?
The last name Schiele is of German origin and is composed of two elements – the word "schil" meaning border or limit, and the suffix "-e", meaning "coming from". The name reflects an ancestral origin from a village or town near a territorial or political border. It can be found in both Germany and Austria, where it is most commonly spelled Scheele.
The name could have originated as a geographic identifier, with forefathers moving across or living near borders, or even as an occupation – such as those scouting borders or working as an inspector between territorial entities. It could even have first been used as a surname for someone who lived on the boundary or near the edge of a property or forest.
In past centuries, it was not uncommon for land ownership or residence to span territorial borders. As such, if this name was once used to denote border ownership or origin, it is possible that its holder was an owner of land near a border.
No matter which interpretation of the name is favoured, it invokes a sense of past mobility, with ancestral origins that crossed political boundaries or a role monitoring the activities near borders. As such, this name is a tribute to the craft of navigation and adjustment throughout shifting political conditions.
Order DNA origin analysisSchiele: Where does the name Schiele come from?
The last name Schiele is of German descent and is commonly found primarily in Southern and Central Europe. It is most popular in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
In Austria, the surname is found mainly in Vienna, Lower Austria, and Styria. In Germany, it is most common in North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg. In Switzerland, the name is most frequently occurring in the Canton of Zürich.
The name dates back to the 14th century, when it was derived from a Middle High German word meaning ‘to cut’ or ‘to shear’, denoting a profession such as that of a clothmaker or tailor. It is also documented as a topographic name for someone who lived by a plot of land that was used for shearing sheep.
In more modern times, it has become a popular surname in many countries and several variations, such as Shiel, Sheaill, Schiel, and Sheil, have arisen.
The Schiele family name is also starting to gain traction as a given name, with records indicating that it is being used in parts of the United States, Canada, and other English speaking countries.
Overall, the presence of the last name Schiele is still strongest in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, and its various variations can also be found scattered around the world.
Variations of the surname Schiele
The surname Schiele is a German-origin, with derivations also found in Austria, Switzerland, and the Spanish region of Catalonia. Variants of the name consist of Schiile, Sceile, Sceil, Schoule, Schouel, Schielle, and Sheeple. Variations in spelling come from attempts to document a nonstandard name into written form, as well as the regional characteristics of dialects or languages used to spell the surname.
The Schiele surname is rooted in the Germanic combination of two words, which together mean "shield" or "protection," as such the surname likely started out as a nickname and is sometimes associated with a servant or laborer who was responsible to carry and protect the family's shield in battle.
The family may sometimes be known with the traditional Germanic patronymic of Schiiler, Schyler, Schieler, or Schyller, which means "son of Schiel or Schle." Other surnames of similar origin are Scheele, Schill, Schmill, Scheel, Schel, Schuhl, and Schuld.
In Austria, the original variant of the name is Schiile, Scil(l)e, or Scühler. In Switzerland, the Schenkel and Schweigel variants of the surname are also found.
The Catalan version of the name is Sceila or Sceila-Scheil, and in Catalan it also results from the same Germanic roots meaning “shield”. This name spread to Catalonia from German and French speaking regions during the fourteenth century.
Famous people with the name Schiele
- Egon Schiele: Austrian painter (1890–1918)
- Richard Schiele: German composer and professor (1882–1937)
- Anna Schiele: German actress and voice actress (1960–1998)
- Ottilie Schiele: Austrian child singer (1996– )
- Gustav Schiele: German politician (1875-1956)
- Julia Schiele: German actress (1982– )
- Konrad Schiele: German psychologist (1905–1996)
- Nadja Schiele: German actress (1981– )
- Regine Schiele-Yotov: German politician (1935– )
- Fritz Schiele: German politician (1879–1965)
- Wilhelm von Schiele: German politician (1839–1912)
- Cindy Schiele: American athlete (1985– )
- Jerzy Schiele: Polish politician (1910–1992)
- Anatole Schiele: French politician (1876–1962)
- Paul Schiele: Austrian actor and director (1909–1956).