Surname Schreyer - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling Identity and Embracing Heritage Through iGENEA DNA Test: The Schreyer Lineage

The iGENEA DNA test results are a potent catalyst for personal introspection, presenting a nuanced interconnection between our individual heritage and collective human history. For me, particularly, it has lent depth to my understanding of my surname 'Schreyer'.

A. Schreyer

Schreyer: What does the surname Schreyer mean?

The last name Schreyer is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "screier" which translates to "crier". In the historical and social context, a crier was a high official in medieval towns who made public announcements in the streets. The person with the title or occupation of a crier would usually be known for their loud, clear voice. Because surnames often originated from a person's occupation, Schreyer therefore is believed to have been an occupational surname bestowed upon those individuals or families who served as town criers or heralds. As populations grew and people began to travel and settle in new areas, surnames became a necessary way to distinguish between individuals with the same given names. So, this surname could have originated from an ancestor in the family who performed the work of a crier or messenger. However, the exact historical lineage and its inception would vary in each individual case.

Schreyer: Where does the name Schreyer come from?

The surname Schreyer is most commonly found in Germany, where it is derived from a patronymic and occupational name. It was originally found in the area known as Schleswig-Holstein in the northern part of the country. The name was borne by a prominent 14th century knight, and is first documented in the form of "Schreyer von Schwarzenberg" in 1390.

The surname has spread since then, with some of its bearers settling in other European countries and the United States. In the US, people with the surname Schreyer can be found in all regions, though it is prevalent mainly in states with large German-American populations, such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Schreyer can also be found in the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba. It is particularly common in larger cities like Toronto and Montreal.

Since the Schreyer surname is quite old, there are many variants in spelling and pronunciation, including Schaerer, Schreyier, and Schrier. According to popular family history websites, the surname is generally associated with people of German Jewish origin.

Overall, the surname Schreyer is widely represented in all regions of the world, and its presence is especially noticeable in regions with significant German-American populations.

Variations of the surname Schreyer

The surname Schreyer (also spelled Schreyer, Schryer, Schryere, Schröer, Schröder, Schroeder, Schroeder, Schryer) is of German origin. It is derived from an occupational name meaning “one who grinds grain” or “one who sharpens tools.” The surname may have been a Metonymic occupational name for someone who worked as a miller or toolmaker.

Variants of the name include Schreier, Schryere, Schroeer, Schraiber, Scheier, Schroder, Schuhrer, Scheurer, Shrader, Shryer, Shryere, and Shryer.

Surnames that are related to Schreyer include Scherer, Schreiber, Schulte, Schirmer, Schmitt and Schneider. These variations mostly stem from the German language, as well as Dutch and other European languages.

In the United States, the surname Schreyer is found mainly in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. It is less common in other states.

Some notable people who bear the surname Schreyer include William Schreyer, the former chairman and CEO of the former investment banking and broker dealer firm Merrill Lynch, and Fran Schreyer, a noted American software engineer.

Famous people with the name Schreyer

• Erwin Schreyer (German Pre-WWII chess grandmaster)
• Kurt Schreyer (German mathematician and natural philosopher of the 18th century)
• Ira Schreyer (American landscape painter)
• Howard Schreyer (American record producer, musical engineer, and mixing engineer)
• Ed Schreyer (Canadian politician and 21st Governor-General of Canada)
• Marcell Schreyer (Hungarian Jewish sculptor)
• Joe Schreyer (American ten-pin bowler)
• Francesco Schreyer (Italian Baroque painter)
• Johannes Schreyer (Austrian ornithologist and malacologist)
• Fred Schreyer (Canadian politician and 28th Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick)
• Lothar Schreyer (German author)
• Tevye Schreyer (Polish yeshiva teacher)
• Leonore Schreyer (German journalist and politician)

Other surnames

SchreySchreyackSchreynerSchreyvogelSchreyvogl