Surname Schütte - Meaning and Origin
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Schütte: What does the surname Schütte mean?
The last name Schütte is of German descent and is derived from the Middle High German word "schutte" or "scuote," which means "guard" or "protector." Historically, the Schütte surname was given to someone who worked as a guard or a watchman. Such individuals could have been employed by towns and cities to defend borders, ports, warehouses, churches and castles. They could also have served as personal bodyguards for high-ranking people, such as kings.
Over time, the Schütte surname spread across the former German-speaking areas of Europe, including modern-day Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia and parts of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The spelling of the name also changed along the way, with variants including Schutte, Schuttman, Schuttey and Schuttel. Today, there are over 11,000 people in Germany who carry the Schütte surname.
The last name also still retains its traditional meaning of "guard," "protector" or "defender," and is seen as a symbol of strength, loyalty and courage. People bearing the Schütte name are seen as determined, spirited and hardworking individuals who are willing to face up to adversity and look after their loved ones.
Order DNA origin analysisSchütte: Where does the name Schütte come from?
The surname Schütte is a common German surname indicating a person who was originally a blacksmith or a metalworker. It is found across Germany today, although the greatest frequency is in the center and north of the country. The regions in Germany where Schütte is most common are Lower Saxony (where it is the 12th most common surname), North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, and Bavaria. In addition to Germany, it is also found in some parts of Switzerland and Austria.
The surname Schütte is composed of two German words – schu (meaning shield or protection) and tte (meaning worker). Likely, the first Schüttes were craftsmen who made weapons for the community, and thus the surname became associated with them. It is also possible that the name was derived from a person with curly or dark hair.
In more recent times, the Schütte surname is associated with powerful business people. Several Schüttes have made a name for themselves as bankers and financial advisors. Currently, Germany's biggest private bank, Bibop GmbH, is headed by Dr. Alf Lüders-Schütte, a descendant of this family's prominent banking lineage. Other Schüttes have become associated with the sciences and the arts.
In conclusion, the surname Schütte is most common today in Germany, especially in the northwestern and central regions. It is especially connected with those in business, banking, and financial circles in modern-day Germany.
Variations of the surname Schütte
The surname Schütte can have many variants and spellings depending on the language and location. It is commonly seen as Schutte or Shute in English-speaking countries, and Schuet, Schuette, Schüte, Schuett, Schuetten, Schütt, Schütten and Schüt in German-speaking countries.
Another version of the surname Schütte is Schüttel, which appears to be an anglicised variation of the original name. Schuetter can also be seen as a variant, along with Shutt.
Schuetsch, Shoots, Shutey, Shutte, Shutts, and Schuetz are other variants that can be found in the United States, while Schütz, Schutz, and Schut can be seen as variations in German-speaking areas such as Austria and Germany.
The Dutch version of the surname is usually seen as Schutte, Schutten, Schuttes, Schuut, Schuuts, Schuttevelt, and Schulen, while the French version is usually seen as Schutte, Schuette, Schuitte.
In Germany, the surname can also be spelled as Schiltz or Schulz, while in Switzerland it can be spelled as Schütze or Schutzer.
In Poland, Schutte can be spelled as Szutko or Szucik, while in Hungary it might be seen as Szucs or Szucsi. Over the centuries, the surname Schütte has been adapted and changed in many different ways around the world.
Famous people with the name Schütte
- Grete Schütte-Lihotzky: Austrian architect, known for her contributions in the fields of urban planning, residential housing developments, and interior design during the first half of the twentieth century.
- Claus-Peter Schütte: German physicist and chemist who has specialized in physical chemistry and electrochemistry.
- Nathaniel Schütte: English author and translator of foreign language works.
- Jan Schütte: German filmmaker, screenwriter, and film director who has been active since the early 1990s and whose works have been awarded with numerous national and international awards.
- Martin Schütte: German actor and theater director, who started his career in the theater in the 1970s, but later gained fame as a television actor and later as a film actor.
- Carsten Schütte: German opera singer and recording artist, in both classical and popular music genres.
- Gerhard W. Schütte: German-born economist, the director of the Institute for International Economics, which was founded in 1983.
- Ulf Schütte: Swedish photographer, cinematographer and director, known for his work in numerous documentaries and other types of films.
- K.F. Schütte: German chemist and entomologist who specialized in insect physiology and toxicology.
- Ulla Schütte: Danish visual artist, photographer, and printmaker, known for her work in various genres in the visual arts.