Surname Schindl - Meaning and Origin
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Schindl: What does the surname Schindl mean?
The last name Schindl is a German surname primarily found in Austria and Bavaria, two of Germany’s southern states. It is believed to be derived from the Middle High German word “schindel” or “schindle,” meaning “covering” or “protection.” This suggests that the original bearers of this surname were involved in the production and sale of roofing materials like shingles or tiles. The surname may also be derived from an occupational surname for a person who constructed or maintained roofs and walls.
It is also possible that the name Schindl may have had more religious origins. Schindle also meant “piece of cloth” in Old German and could be linked to a priest’s robe, suggesting that the original bearers of the name were clergy. It is also possible that the name could have been given to someone who held a job of another kind within the church, such as a steward or treasurer.
The surname Schindl can be found in a variety of spellings across Central Europe, including Schindle, Schendel, Schindler, Schintl, and Schindler. It is associated with a long and proud history that traces its roots back to the Middle Ages in Germany and Austria.
Order DNA origin analysisSchindl: Where does the name Schindl come from?
The last name Schindl is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Europe. It is particularly prevalent in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, the name is most frequent in the state of Bavaria, in both the Upper Palatinate region and the Upper Franconian district.
The last name Schindl is derived from a place where someone with the surname lived, worked, or owned land. In this case, it is likely that the family descends from the area now known as Schindellegi, a Swiss town located in the canton of Schwyz near Zurich. It may also be derived from the German term Schindel, meaning a tile or a slate roof.
Other possible origins of the last name include a variant of Schneider/Snider, which means 'tailor', or from the Middle High German word 'schintel' which translates to 'scrubland'.
Despite its prevalence in Europe, Schindl is rarely found elsewhere. In the United States, Schindl is among the top 15,000 most common last names, and is particularly common in Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin. In Canada, Schindl is an uncommon name, appearing on fewer than one in every 100,000 Canadians.
Variations of the surname Schindl
The surname Schindl is of German origin and is a variant of the name Schindler. It may also be spelled Schintl, Schindele, Schindle, or Schintele. Surnames related to Schindl include Schindlerer, Schindlerin, Schindlauer, and Schintzeler.
Schintl is the most common variant of Schindl. It is believed to have first been used by a family in the 15th century in Bavaria. It is also found in Austria and Switzerland. The spelling Schintl is derived from German words such as Schinden (to cut, to divide) and Schints (a cutting instrument).
Schindele is a variant derived from the Middle High German word schindel, meaning 'roofing tile.' This variant is also found in Austria and Bavaria. Schindle is a variant of this surname which may have a similar origin or could be derived from the Middle High German scindel (bailiff, sheriff).
Schintele is another variant of the same origin which may have come from German words such as schinkel (knife handle) or schinteln (to talk euphemistically). This variant may have been originally used by families on the Swiss-Austrian border.
Schindlerer and Schindlerin are both variants of the same origin and are derived from a Middle High German word meaning 'craftsman'. The ending -erin denotes a female tailoring profession.
Schindlauer is a variant derived from the Middle High German word scintel, meaning 'soot'. It is believed that this variant was originally used as a name for a blacksmith or tinsmith. Schintzeler is a variant derived from the Middle High German word schintel, meaning 'railway tie'. This variant may have been originally used by railway workers.
Famous people with the name Schindl
- Romeo Schindl: Canadian rower from Ontario. He participated in the 1976 and 1980 Olympics, winning a silver medal in 1976.
- Ernst Schindl: Austrian luger, who competed during the late 1970s and early 1980s. He won a bronze medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo.
- Thomas Schindl: Austrian alpine skier who competed in the 1984 Winter Olympics. He won a bronze medal in slalom.
- Robert Schindl: Austrian aeronautical engineer who was the chief designer for FACC AG, the world's leading supplier of aircraft structures.
- Kurt Schindl: Austrian Alpine skier who competed in the 1976 Winter Olympics. He finished in 6th Place in the slalom race.
- Elisabeth Schindl: Austrian biathlete who competed in the 1984 and 1988 Winter Olympics. She won a bronze medal in the relay race in 1988.
- Hermann Schindl: Austrian figure skater who competed in the 1932 Winter Olympics. He won a silver medal in the pairs event.
- Stefan Schindl: Austrian Nordic combined skier who competed in the 1998 Winter Olympics. He won a gold medal in the normal hill/15 km competition.
- Rudolf Schindl: Austrian alpine skier who competed in the 1972 and 1976 Winter Olympics. He won a silver medal in the giant slalom in 1972.
- Philipp Schindl: Austrian former alpine skier who competed in the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics. He won a bronze medal in the giant slalom in 1988.