Surname Schloetter - Meaning and Origin
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Schloetter: What does the surname Schloetter mean?
The last name Schloetter is derived from the Middle High German word “slōz” which means “to hide or protect”. This likely points to the original bearer of the name having some type of association with protective duties or catering towards sheltering or protecting the population.
In Germany and other nations, Schloetter is found primarily in the southwest regions of the country, including Bavaria, Thuringia and Saxony. It is also found in other countries such as Switzerland, the Netherlands and Denmark, where it is a patronymic surname derived from the personal name Schloethel.
The surname Schloetter has been found with many spellings, including Sloter, Schloter, Sluiter, Schluetter, and Sleumuter. It has also evolved since its Middle High German origin to Schloetter, Schlotterer, Schletterer, and Schleterer, to name a few.
Historically, Schloetter was an occupational surname which identified those who worked as guards or shelters. This is reflected in the original meaning of the name. Over time, the surname Schloetter may have come to denote other occupations such as butchers or brewers.
The Schloetter name may also include a religious aspect, depending upon the ancestral area it originated from. Primarily Protestant, the name denoted someone who helped shelter other followers of the faith.
Today, Schloetter is still popular and ranks in the top 100 most common surnames in Germany. It is also seen in other countries in smaller numbers, such as Switzerland, the Netherlands and Denmark.
Order DNA origin analysisSchloetter: Where does the name Schloetter come from?
The surname Schloetter is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the western states that were part of the former West Germany, including North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria. It is normally of Germanic origins, deriving from the word "-schlöter", which translates to "miner" and "ironsmith". As such, the surname likely originated as an occupational name, indicating that the original bearer of this name was a miner or smith.
Over time, the surname spread out beyond Germany's borders to other parts of Europe. Today, it can still be found in Germany, as well as in Austria, France, and Luxembourg. Within these areas, it is thought to be most common in Hesse, Thuringia, and Saxony.
The Schloetter surname was brought to the United States of America in the 19th century, and is found in low numbers there today. It remains slightly more common in the states that make up the former West German states, but can still be found as far west as California.
In short, the surname Schloetter can be found today in Germany, France, Luxembourg, Austria, and the United States, though it is most common in the first four countries.
Variations of the surname Schloetter
The surname Schloetter is an occupational surname of German origin. Its variations, spellings and other surnames of the same origin include:
Schlöter – This is the most common spelling variation of Schloetter and is approximately five times more frequent in Germany than the original. This spelling is derived from a cleft variant of the Germanic word ‘slahan’ meaning ‘to push’.
Schleuter – This spelling is mainly found in North America. It is the Americanized form of the original German spelling.
Schluter – This is another source of the name commonly seen in North America. It is a less common spelling, however, it is still widely used.
Schlotter – This spelling is more rarely seen in the United States and is also derived from the Germanic word ‘slahan’.
Schlotterer – This is a variant of the original surnames from Germany.
Schlutter – This spelling is another cleft variant of the Germanic word ‘slahan’.
Schluterbeck – This is a habitational surname of the same origin, derived from locations in northern Germany.
Schlottman – This is a patronymic or surname evolved from the given name Schlottman.
Schluterman – Similar to Schlottman, this is a patronymic surname originating from personal first name Schluterman.
Schlottmann – This is also a patronymic surname derived from the German given name Schlottmann.
Schlottke – This is another patronymic or surname derived from the German given name Schlottke.
Siebert – This is a variant spelling of the surname Schloetter which is more commonly seen in Germany.
Siemer – This is an even rarer name derived from Seimers, a Germanic personal name.
Famous people with the name Schloetter
- Marie Schloetter: French long-distance runner
- Jesper Schloetter: Danish footballer
- Frederic Schloetter: German badminton player
- Thomas Schloetter: Swiss figure skater
- Fred Schloetter: Swiss footballer
- Michael Schloetter: American soccer player
- Andrew Schloetter: American actor, director and producer
- Reinhard Schloetter: German international rower
- Anthony Schloetter: American voice actor
- John Schloetter: American baseball player