Surname Shumaker - Meaning and Origin

Unearthing the Shumaker Legacy: Surprising Revelations and Unexpected Turns of My iGENEA DNA Test

Embarking on the iGENEA DNA journey led to unexpected twists and turns, revealing a fascinating tapestry of my Shumaker lineage. From discovering a martial Celtic heritage to unveiling an Ashkenazi Jewish lineage, to tracing long-lost relatives across the globe, the revelations painted a dynamic picture of my ancestry.

F. Shumaker

Shumaker: What does the surname Shumaker mean?

The last name Shumaker, besides being a proper surname, is actually an Anglicized variation of the German occupational surname "Schuhmacher" which directly translates to "shoe maker" in English. The name was traditionally given to individuals or families that were involved in the profession of shoemaking or cobbling. Over time, as surnames developed and were passed down in families, these shoemakers' descendants would also bear this surname. Various spelling forms of the surname exist, such as Shoemaker, Schumaker, Schuhmacher, and others. The use of occupational surnames was a common practice throughout Europe during the Middle Ages, and continues to present day. Despite its literal meaning, it is not necessary that individuals carrying this surname today are shoemakers - the name simply refers to the occupation of an ancestor.

Shumaker: Where does the name Shumaker come from?

The last name Shumaker is most commonly found in the United States today. It is reported to be in the top 3,000 last names with the most registered people currently living in the US. It is most frequent in the midwest region, most particularly in the states of Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Kentucky.

This birthplace indicates a likely immigration from German-speaking countries. The name is also reported to have been found in large numbers in England, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden in the past.

Today, the last name Shumaker is not as popular as it once was, but is slowly spreading throughout the United States. It is common in larger cities and even many rural areas have residents that bear the name. There are also people living in the UK and other countries across the globe that may carry Shumaker as a surname.

The name could have multiple meanings that originated from its German roots. It could mean “person from Schumacher” as a reference to an area in Germany. It could also mean “person who makes or sells shoes.”

No matter its origin, the name Shumaker is far from obscure today. Many families proudly carry the surname and it is still commonly found in the United States.

Variations of the surname Shumaker

Shumaker is a primarily German surname, originated from Middle High German “Schumacher”, meaning shoemaker. In Scotland and Ireland, the spelling of “Shoemaker” is sometimes used. Historically, the name was also a name of an occupational.

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Shumaker are following:

In Germany, the surnames Schumacher, Schumaker, Schumaker, Schomaker, Schuhmacher, Schuhmaker and Schmacker are its common variants.

In the United States, the most popular spelling of the surname is Shumaker, and its variants include Shumacher, Shumaker, Shomaker, Shuhmacher, Shuhmaker, Shoemaker and Schmacker. Other common variants in the United States include Shoe, Shoeman, Shoemacher, Shoemake, Shoemakers, Shue, Shoenthal, Shumaker, Shoemakere, Shoo, Shoesmith, Shoester, Shumaker, Shomaker, Shoemachar and Shuhmacher.

In Scotland and Ireland, the most popular spelling for the surname is Shoemaker, and its variants include Shoemaker, Schumaker, Shumacher, Shomaker, and Schuhmacher.

In England, Dutch and Belgium, its variants include Shomaker, Schumaker, Shumacher, Schuhmacher and Schomaker.

In France, variants of the surname are spelled as Schumacker, Shusmaker, Shumacher, Shomaker, Schuhmacher, Schomaker and Schuhmaker.

In Canada and Austria, common variants of the surname Shuman are seen. In Canada, variations Schumacher, Schumaker, Shumaker, Shomaker, and Schuhmaker are sometimes seen.

In Scandinavia, variants of the surname are spelled as Schumacher, Shoemaker, Schuhmacher, Skomaker, Schomaker, Schuhmaker and Shomaker.

In the other countries, the variants of the surname are spelled slightly as Simson, Smithmaker, Schimmaker, Schumaker, Shuman, and Schomaker.

Famous people with the name Shumaker

• George P. Shumaker: George P. Shumaker was a public historian, author, and local history examiner from North Carolina.
• Dr. Arnold Shumaker: Dr. Arnold Shumaker was a former president of Baylor University, the fourth-oldest university in the US.
• Edward Howard Shumaker: Edward Howard Shumaker was an American lawyer and diplomat. After World War I he served as US ambassador to Bulgaria and China in the 1920s.
• Eric Shumaker: Eric Shumaker is an American actor and voice-over talent, best known for his roles on television shows such as NBC’s "Days of Our Lives" as well as his recurring role as a doctor on the show "Scrubs".
• Lynda Shumaker: Lynda Shumaker is a Canadian voice actress, best known for her roles on "The New Batman/Superman Adventures" and "What's With Andy?".
• Zac Shumaker: Zac Shumaker is an American professional motocross racer. He began competing in the X-Games in 2003 and has earned several Red Bull X-Fighters accolades.
• John Shumaker: John Shumaker was an American professional basketball player. He is known for taking part in the controversial U.S. Basketball Leagues' game, which was televised in the 1970s.
• Ezra Shumaker: Ezra Shumaker was an American blacksmith and inventor. He was renowned for inventing the first mechanical soybean harvester in the mid-19th century.
• Harry Shumaker: Harry Shumaker was an American basketball coach. He helped lead the Central Iowa State College basketball team to several conference championships in the 1950s and 1960s.
• Scott Shumaker: Scott Shumaker is an American filmmaker. He has produced and directed several independent films, most notably "American Splendor", "Fanboys" and "The Way Way Back".

Other surnames

Shumake