Surname Schulth - Meaning and Origin
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Schulth: What does the surname Schulth mean?
The surname Schulth is a German topographic name for someone who lived near or on a wooded hill, derived from the Middle High German word “schulte”. Its variants include Schulth, Schulte, Schult, Schulthaeuser, Schultheis, Schulken, and Schulten.
The name first appeared in records in the mid-13th in Europe, when Germany was still divided into hundreds of medieval states and princedoms. During this time period Germany’s population was comprised of serfs, craftsmen, and nobility. It was not uncommon for craftsmen to change their names to identify their geographical area and the occupational type of activity that defined them.
The first mention of the Schulth surname is found in the records of the City of Hanau in 1263. During the 18th century many families bearing the Schulth name lived in the area of Holstein, particularly in the cities of Lauenburg and Schwerin. By the late 19th century, families were spread throughout Germany, especially the west. Although many of the families migrated out of Germany to the U.S. and Canada, a significant number of Schulthes still remain in Germany.
Schulthes are thought to have originally been landowners who owned estates on or near a wooded hill. This is a fairly common feature in Germany. The Schulthes may also have been involved in forestry management or woodworking. The Schulthes brought craftsmanship, military service and a sense of ownership to their respective areas.
Today, the surname Schulth is found all over the world. It’s a reminder that in times of migration and transition, certain ancient family identities can persist.
Order DNA origin analysisSchulth: Where does the name Schulth come from?
The last name Schulth is most commonly found in Germany and Austria. It is likely of German origin and derived from the Old High German word ‘schulte,’ meaning ‘protector’ or ‘guardian.’ We can find the surname across the country in records dating back to the Middle Ages.
In Germany, the name is concentrated in the area around the city of Bremen, in the state of Lower Saxony, as well as in the towns of Berlin, Cologne, and Hamburg. Records from the area in the mid-nineteenth century revealed that the surname Schulth was common in the city of Westphalia, near the Rhineland, with many families tracing their roots there.
Many Schulths living in Germany today can trace their roots back to areas like Westphalia, Bavaria, and Saxony, where records have documented the presence of this surname for centuries.
In Austria, the surname is also common but it usually appears in records as a variant spelling, such as ‘Schulthe’ or ‘Schultheis.’ Records from the city of Vienna date back to the mid-1600s, and the most common area for the Schulth name is in the Tyrol region, a historical province in western Austria that is now part of the state of Vorarlberg.
Those bearing the last name Schulth, whether in Germany or Austria, can take pride in its origin and noble meaning. It is truly an ancient and honorable legacy that has been preserved throughout centuries of time.
Variations of the surname Schulth
The surname Schulth is of German origin, and can have many different spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. Variants and spellings of Schulth include Schult, Schulte, Schultheis, Schultheiss, Shult, Shults, Shultz, Shultheis, Schulten, Scholten, Scholtes, Scholth, and Scholtheis. Surnames of the same origin of Schulth include Schoultz, Schulmeister, Schuller, Schuster, Schultz, Schüler, Schütze, Schultheiss, and Schultzmann.
The German spelling of Schulth is Schult, but in other countries, different variations of the spelling may emerge. For example, in Dutch, Schulth could be spelled Scholt, or in French, Schulth would be spelled Schulthe. Additionally, Schulte is the German version of the French spelling Schulthe.
The Schult or Schulth family surname was likely adopted during the medieval times, due to the prominent location of Schulth in Westphalia, Germany. It is likely that the family’s history in the area is responsible for the spread of the surname to other countries. As people from the area emigrated during the 17th and 18th centuries, they took their surname with them, contributing to the different spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin today.
Famous people with the name Schulth
- Dr. Joseph Schulth, a leader in the field of orthopedic surgery
- Kurt Schulth, a German novelist and playwright
- Walt Schulth, a professional baseball player
- Manfred Schulth, a German musician and composer
- J.K. Schulth, an American author and film director
- Peggy Schulth, a multi-Emmy award-winning television producer and director
- Harry Schulth, a German abstract painter
- Peter Schulth, a Swiss film producer and director
- Daniel Schulth, a US television producer and director
- Reinhard Schulth, a German television producer and director