Surname Schan - Meaning and Origin
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Schan: What does the surname Schan mean?
Schan is a German surname meaning 'face'. It can also be an alternative spelling of the name 'Schoen'. The earliest records of the name go back to medieval Germany, with a Johann Schan being mentioned in 1563. It appears to have come from the Middle High German term 'schanz', which means 'cheerful face'. The use of the surname spread across central Europe, particularly in countries like Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary.
The surname has been used to create a variety of variations, such as Schaner, Schaning, Schanefeld, Schansinger, and Schante. Many members of the Schan family migrated to the United States during the 19th century, especially to regions like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. To this day, Schan remains a common surname in America, particularly among German-American families.
In the modern world, the term 'schan' is often used as a verb to denote a warm, friendly smile. It can also be used in the construction of German phrases such as 'Mit einem Schan auf den Lippen' which translates to 'with a smile on my lips'. Ultimately, Schan is a proud German name that has stood the test of time and continues to be used as a surname to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisSchan: Where does the name Schan come from?
The last name Schan is most commonly found today within Germany, specifically in larger cities like Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg. It is also found in other German-speaking parts of Europe, such as Austria and parts of Switzerland as well as parts of bordering (non-German speaking) countries such as Czech Republic, Poland, and Lithuania.
The name Schan likely originates from the German spelling of the name "Chan/Chahn" and was adopted by German speaking Jewish immigrants in the Middle Ages; however, the name itself is much older since it is found in Assyrian, Babylonian, and Hebrew texts.
There is also quite a large population of Schans in the United States, which can likely be attributed to a number of German immigrants who came to the United States during the 19th century, looking for religious freedom and economic opportunity.
Today, the last name Schan is most commonly found within Germany and German speaking countries, but has spread to other parts of the world, especially in the United States, due to historic immigration. In the United States, the largest populations of Schans can be found in major metropolitan areas such as Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.
Variations of the surname Schan
The surname Schan is a derivative form of the popular German name Schon. Variations of the same root name include Schon, Schond, Schoner, Shoan, Shoen, and Shon.
Schan is an anglicized version of the name and may be spelled with a ’ch’ or a ‘sh’. It can also be spelled as Shann, Schann, Shan, and Shann. There are also Minnesota-specific variations such as Shaut and Schaut.
Variations of the name Schon are relatively common in European countries such as Austria and Germany. It can also be found in Jewish communities in the United States, Canada and other countries.
Surnames derived from Schon include Schaen, Schoen, Schonfeld, Schonberg, Schonwell, Schonbrun, and Schonbuch. Some other related surnames are Schannen, Schams, Schamberg, Schotz, Schatz, Schanz, Schorer, and Schor.
Schan is a unique and special last name of German origin that has largely remained the same since the Middle Ages, while also branching out with additional spellings. It is an excellent example of how surnames can evolve and change over time.
Famous people with the name Schan
- Markus Schan: Austrian television presenter and actor.
- Werner Schan: Austrian mountain biker and cyclo-cross racer.
- Valentin Schan: Austrian chess master and the winner of the 1920 and 1921 editions of the Austrian Chess Championship.
- Nikolaus Schan: Austrian contemporary artist best known for his mixed-media work.
- Kristina Schan: Austrian actress and director.
- Mathias Schan: German footballer.
- Andreas Schan: Austrian Jazz musician and composer.
- Pamela Schan: Austrian singer and songwriter.
- Dan Schan: Australian radio and Television presenter.
- Michael Schan: Austrian actor and voice actor based in Vienna.