Surname Schillinger - Meaning and Origin

iGENEA DNA Test Sheds Remarkable Insights into Schillinger Ancestry: A Journey Across Europe

The iGENEA DNA test provided me with a fascinating journey into my ancestry, revealing exciting scientific insights about the European origins of my family under the surname Schillinger. Spanning across Western, Northern, and Eastern Europe, the test results indicate a rich mix of cultures and migration patterns in the Schillinger family history.

B. Schillinger

Schillinger: What does the surname Schillinger mean?

The last name Schillinger is a Germanic name believed to originate from Saxony in the 14th century. It is derived from the words "schill" or "schela" meaning "red warrior". In medieval German, this name could be used to refer to a brave and daring soldier.

The Schillinger surname is thought to have its roots in both martial elements, such as someone who fought with a sword or in the service of a lord, as well as a more religious meaning, derived from the less-literal interpretations of the word. Commonly found in church records, the name could refer to someone closely associated with the church or one who was devout and acted as a guard against evil.

The Schillinger family can likely trace its line back to Albrecht Schillinger, considered to be the oldest member of this clan. This man was believed to be an important figure in the city of Düsseldorf in the 16th century and he had a successful career as an economic worker in the area.

In more modern times, the Schillingers have transpired into more of a family of education, literature, and philosophy. Ernst Schillinger, born in 1907, was a German writer known for his short stories, essays, and novels, while his cousin, Joseph Schillinger, was a Russian-American mathematician, music theorist, and composer.

Today, the Schillinger legacy lives on in various forms across the world - the Schillinger Family Foundation continues to provide educational opportunities in Florida, while the Schillinger System of Musical Composition has been taught for decades in music schools across the globe.

Schillinger: Where does the name Schillinger come from?

The last name Schillinger is not especially common today. It is primarily found in various parts of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as certain pockets of the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. In Germany, the name has its roots in the areas of Bavaria, Saxony, Westphalia, and Baden-Württemberg. It is also present in Austria’s Lower Austria and Salzburg states. In Switzerland, most bearers of the name live in the canton of Zurich.

In the U.S., the name is especially prevalent in certain regions of Pennsylvania and Ohio. There are also several Schillingers in Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin. In Canada, most Schillingers are located in Ontario and Quebec. Across the pond in the U.K., most of the name’s bearers can be found in the Greater London area.

Schillinger is a name that has endured for centuries, though its place in the wider world has changed drastically over time. Its presence in the U.S., U.K., and some parts of Europe is a testament to the family’s journey over the past several centuries. Despite its relatively low frequency in modern times, Schillinger continues to be an enduring family name, held in reverence by its current-day bearers.

Variations of the surname Schillinger

The surname Schillinger is of German origin with variants including Schilling, Schillings, Schillinge, Schillinger, Schillingen, Schillig, and Schilliger. The Schillinger form of the surname emerged in medieval Bavaria during the Middle Ages, and it is thought to derive from the Old High German word ‘schilling’ which means ‘stingy’ or ‘quick to pay’. Schillinger was first used as a name by those who were thought of as ‘stingy’ or ‘quick to pay’, but it may also have been used to describe people who traded for or worked with coins.

The variants Schilling and Schillings refer to a family derived from Schillinger. It is believed to have originated in the region of Silesia, located in the modern-day countries of Poland and Germany. These variants have also been used as a surname in other countries.

The variant Schillinge is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages, derived from the Old German verb ‘schillen’ which translates to ‘to shine or glimmer’. It was used as a surname for those who shined or glimmered in their fields of work.

The variants Schillig and Schilliger stem from the medieval spelling of Schillinger and refer to a family derived from a Schillinger.

No matter the spelling of the surname, scholars believe the Schillinger family may have derived from the Middle High German word 'schil' which means shield, as it was often used to refer to those who worked as guards or protectors.

Famous people with the name Schillinger

• Charles Schillinger: the first African-American to serve as a Delaware State Senator.
• Joshua Schillinger: founder of Schillinger Farms, a family-run farm specializing in organic vegetables and herbs.
• Greg Schillinger: professional soccer player currently playing for FC Sparta Rotterdam.
• Robert Schillinger: cognitive and behavioral psychologist at Colorado Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology.
• Josie Schillinger: a popular fashion designer, featured in Elle, Vogue, and Harper's Bazaar.
• John Schillinger: noted physicist at the University of California, Berkeley.
• David Schillinger: former president of ABC Bancorp.
• Fritz Schillinger: a prominent musical theorist and the author of The Mathematics of Music.
• Rachael Schillinger: an actress who has appeared in the films Stealing Park, The Last Garden, and The Day the Earth Froze.
• Ryan Schillinger: professional rock climber and coach.

Other surnames

SchillingSchillings