Surname Altenscheid - Meaning and Origin
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Altenscheid: What does the surname Altenscheid mean?
The German surname Altenscheid literally means ‘olden-shield’ from the elements ‘alt’ (old) and ‘scheid’ (shield). Historically, the name was commonly associated with the upper class or nobility in many regions of Northern Europe. The name likely referred to a family that held land and had privileges from the king or other feudal lord, conditions that often included the ability to bear arms.
In some cases, the name Altenscheid might indicate a close relationship with an older noble family, such as that of the count of Plön, a principality in modern-day Germany. It is possible that the Altenscheid family held some form of office in the court of the ruling family or even served as diplomats to nearby courts.
The name Altenscheid can also be found in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden. The use of the name Altenscheid might also indicate a long-standing family tradition, as some families in those countries trace their ancestry back several generations.
While family records and stories are often lost or altered over time, the meaning of the name Altenscheid remains clear: a family with a long and distinguished history in the region, privileges from an upper class family, and a commitment to protecting the people and lands with which they were associated.
Order DNA origin analysisAltenscheid: Where does the name Altenscheid come from?
The last name Altenscheid is a common German surname, which is mainly found in the western part of the country, with the most frequent occurrences in areas such as North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. Beyond Germany, the surname is also found in many other European countries, including Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg, and France.
The etymology of the surname is derived from the Old High German personal name Alt, and the German word for “ridge,” scheiden. This suggests that the name likely originated with individuals from a ridge or high point of land. The name is believed to have first appeared in the 16th century in areas of the former Holy Roman Empire. Today, Altenscheid is a rarer name, though it is still relatively common in its areas of origin.
Altenscheid is often found in records of German emigration to North America, with immigrants often having arrived in the mid-to-late 19th century. Records show that many came to New York in the United States, as well as to a handful of Canadian provinces such as Ontario. There is evidence of Altenscheid families who settled beyond North America’s borders too, such as in Argentina and Bolivia in South America, and Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific Ocean.
Variations of the surname Altenscheid
Altenscheid is a German surname of locational, habitational, or topographical origin. The name generally refers to the town of Alscheid or Altenscheid in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, which derived its name from the Old High German words alt, meaning “old” and schit, meaning “place”. The variants, spellings, and surnames of Altscheid all trace back to this origin and include the following:
Altenscheid – This is the most widely accepted spelling of the surname. It was adopted by most immigrants living in Germany and other European countries, such as the United States and Canada.
Altscheid – This is an alternate spelling of the surname. It is more commonly used in Germany than Altenscheid.
Altenscheidt – This is a variation on the spelling of Altenscheid. It is rarely used in Germany.
Altenschied – This is another variation on the spelling of the name, depending on regional dialect.
Alten Schied – This is an older form of the name which traces back to Germanic roots.
Altenschiedt – This is another variation of the name which is also rarely used.
Altenshielt – This is an alternate spelling of the name found mainly in North Germany.
Altschiedt – This is an alternate spelling of Altenscheid.
Alt Schiedt – This is a variant spelling of the name.
Altschielt – This is another variant of the name found mainly in Germany.
Altenscheed – This is another variation of the surname found in some parts of Germany.
Alsched – This is an old spelling of the surname dating back to the pre-modern era.
Altensheid – This is another spelling of the surname found in some regions in Southern Germany.
Altenshied – This is yet another variation of the name found in some parts of Germany.
Altshied – This is a variation of Altenscheid found mainly in Southern Germany and Austria.
Alt Schielt – This is a variant spelling of the surname, primarily found in Northern Germany.
Alt Schied – This is an older variation of the name originating in the early Middle Ages.
Famous people with the name Altenscheid
- Marco Altenscheid: German footballer
- Robert Altenscheid: former German national team manager
- Jochen Altenscheid: former German sprinter
- Leonie Altenscheid: former German professional figure skater
- Jakob Altenscheid: German physicist
- Michael Altenscheid: German actor and theater director
- Ursula Altenscheid: German social worker
- Marcel Altenscheid: German football player
- Nikolaus Altenscheid: German Army General
- Lotte Altenscheid: German actress