Surname Schloss - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schloss: What does the surname Schloss mean?
The last name Schloss (or Schloß) is a German surname derived from the word for “castle.” The name Schloss was most likely used originally to refer to families who lived near a castle or otherwise held some type of nobility, indicating a status above a commoner. Over time, the name has become more widespread and is no longer associated with nobility.
The surname Schloss is a very common one, particularly in Germany and Austria and other parts of Central Europe. It is also sometimes found in Jewish communities, often as a variant of the names Shalmaneser or Schoenberg, as well as in other parts of the world such as the United States, Australia, and Canada.
The Schloss surname is derived from the medieval German world for castle or palace, which referred to a fortified place in the countryside; it could also refer to a fortified city. In terms of surnames, it was most likely given to families who lived near or held some type of dominance over a castle. Over time, it has become more widespread and is no longer associated with nobility.
The Schloss surname is often used to represent someone of German or Central European descent who is descended from a royal or wealthy family. Additionally, because it serves as a reminder of the defense and protective nature of castles, it can also have a symbolic meaning - representing strength and security.
Order DNA origin analysisSchloss: Where does the name Schloss come from?
The last name Schloss is a German-language surname, although it is also seen in other countries. In Germany, it is most commonly seen in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, an area in the western part of the country. Of the German-speaking countries, this region has the highest concentration of people with the Schloss surname.
Outside of Germany, Schloss is most commonly found in the United States. From records in the 1900 U.S. Federal Census, the largest concentrations of the Schloss surname were in New York and Pennsylvania. Today, they are still found in those two states and are also seen in other states such as Wisconsin, Ohio, and Massachusetts.
The Schloss surname is relatively uncommon, making up less than 0.001% of the population in the United States today. In Germany, the surname is also thought to be rare, making up less than 0.00002% of the population. As such, the surname is not particularly common today, except perhaps in some regions of Germany and pockets of the United States.
Variations of the surname Schloss
The surname Schloss can have various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Such variants include Schloß, Schlosser, Schlossmann, Schlösser, Schlossman, Shlos, Schloeser, Schloes, Shlosman, Shalos, Schleser, Schloesner, Shlosner, Shaloss, Schlussel, Shlossel. These spellings mainly come from different German speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in the late 19th century.
Schloss and Schloß are two of the most common spellings, generally used in Germany and Austria. Schloß could be the spelling used by a German speaker who pronounces the name with sharper clarity. Schlösser and Schloeser are spelling variants used mainly in the Jewish diaspora.
The surname Schloss is a Latinized version of the old German words 'schliessen' and 'schlussel' which mean 'lock' or 'key' respectively. This indicates that people with such surname are probably descendants of families who were locksmiths or worked with locks and keys. The surname Schlossmann likely was derived from this surname as it means 'man of the castle'. People with the surname Shlosman is derived from the Yiddish word 'shlos' meaning 'key' and 'man' meaning male.
Other variant surnames include Schloes, Shalos, Schleser, Schloesner, Shlosner, Shaloss, Schlussel and Shlossel. These spellings may have come from various other German, Jewish and Slavic languages as immigrants settled in different countries.
In conclusion, the surname Schloss has a variety of spellings and variants which all originated from the Latinized version of old German words meaning key or lock. As immigrants moved around different countries, more surnames were derived from the original Schloss and Schloß.
Famous people with the name Schloss
- Tom Schlosser: Tom Schlosser is an American actor and writer best known for his roles in television comedy series such as National Lampoon's Growing Up and Mad About You.
- Michael Schlosser: Michael Schlosser is a German author of predominantly children's fiction books. His books have been translated into many languages including English, French and Spanish.
- Mark Schlossberg: Mark Schlossberg is an American sculptor and metal artist most known for his intricate sculptures made from reclaimed materials.
- Brittany Schlosser: Brittany Schlosser is a professional golfer who made the jump from amateur golf to professional golf in 2011 and has since then participated in numerous tournaments.
- Larry Schloss: Larry Schloss is an American music producer and record executive, who has been credited with discovering and signing many successful and influential artists and bands, including John Mayer, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Dave Matthews Band and Jack Johnson.
- Isaac Schloss: Isaac Schloss is an American sculptor with a focus on installations, primarily working in stone, wood, and metals. His works often focus on the human experience and he has released many public works of art over the years.
- Joanna Schloss: Joanna Schloss is an American singer, songwriter and music producer known for her collaborations with many popular musicians, with her distinct singing style described as both folk and soul.
- Steven Schloss: Steven Schloss is an American film director, producer and screenwriter known for his independent films, documentaries and television shows.
- Lisa Schlosser: Lisa Schlosser is an American illustrator and author of children’s books. Her work is featured in many publications and she has collaborated with many educational institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York.