Surname Schultes - Meaning and Origin

Tracing the Roots of Schultes: A Personal Journey Through the iGENEA DNA Test

My iGENEA DNA test provided remarkable insight into my genetic lineage. The exploration focused on my surname, Schultes, revealing German origins, migration patterns, and a rich range of ethnographic affiliations. The test shed light on the extensive spread of the Schultes surname through Western Europe, as shaped by historical upheavals and opportunities.

P. Schultes

Schultes: What does the surname Schultes mean?

Schultes is a surname of German origin. It is derived from the Middle Low German word "Schulte" which means "village headman" or "mayor". The term "Schulte" was used to refer to someone who was assigned to collect dues and taxes. It is also related to the Old High German word "sculd," meaning "debt" or "taxes." So, a person named Schultes could be a descendant of someone who held that civic position. Like many surnames, Schultes may also have been used to describe the occupation of the original bearers. Over time, this occupational name became passed down through generations as a family surname. However, it's also important to note that surnames could have different meanings in different regions and the interpretation can vary.

Schultes: Where does the name Schultes come from?

The surname Schultes is of German origin. In medieval times, it was used as an occupational surname for someone accountable for collecting dues and payments and overseeing village affairs. The word "Schultes" derives from the Middle Low German term "Schulte," which means "village headman" or "bailiff."

Today, the last name remains relatively common in Germany, and it is also prevalent in countries with sizable German diaspora like the United States and Canada. It might be found in various forms of spelling like Schultz, Schultheis, Shultz, etc., depending on the regions and their dialects.

Please note that not everybody with the last name Schultes may be of German descent due to the changes in geographical boundaries and emigration over time. Nevertheless, the roots of the surname trace back to Germanic origin.

Variations of the surname Schultes

The surname Schultes can be traced back to the central European region, specifically German-speaking countries. This surname has various variant spellings, including Schultz, Schulz, Schultze, Schulze, and Scholz. Each variant represents a different way of transliteration according to the phonetic aspects of different languages or just differences in spelling over time and regions. All these surnames derive from the same root "Schultheiss", which is an official title used in medieval Germany and Switzerland.

The regional distribution and historical migration have constituted certain surnames that are specific to certain areas, for example, the surname Schultz is more popular in Northern Germany, while Schulz is more associated with areas in Eastern Germany.

Furthermore, in some cases, an affix like -mann, -son, -dorf might be added, creating variations like Schulzmann or Schulzdorf. All these names share the same etymological origin, i.e., the official title "Schultheiss" denoting a person in charge of collecting dues and maintaining order, which is also associated with the profession of a schoolteacher or scholar.

The plural form Schultheissen and the diminutive Schultheisschen are also found occasionally, adding to the versatility of this surname.

Famous people with the name Schultes

• David R. Schultes: American botanist with expertise in the classification, identifying and cataloging of plants, particularly those found in the Amazon rainforest.
• Richard Evans Schultes: a Harvard University professor and the world's leading authority on medicinal plants and ethnobotany. His research in South and Central America established that many medicinal plants had originally been discovered by Native Americans.
• Christian Schultes: 18th-century German schoolmaster and natural historian who documented flora in the Palatinate.
• Heinrich Schultes: a Swiss naturalist and ornithologist. He made numerous scientific expeditions and collected natural history specimens from the European and Oriental continents.
• Wilhelm Schultes: an Austrian zoologist and entomologist, known for his research on the Arachnida. His research is credited with contributing considerably to the knowledge of spiders.
• Josef Schultes: a German zoologist and comparative anatomist, who wrote extensively on mollusks, insects, amphibians, and fishes.
• Johannes Schultes: a 17th-century astronomer and navigator from Nuremberg who wrote a book on the use of geometry in calculating latitude and longitude.
• Heinz Schultes: a 20th-century German photographer and painter, known for his work on industrial documentation.
• Alfred Schultes: a 19th-century Austrian entomologist who wrote several papers on moths and beetles.
• Rudolf Schultes: a German chemist who developed the Schultes reaction, which is used today in the synthesis of antibiotics.

Other surnames

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