Surname Schomerus - Meaning and Origin

Schomerus: What does the surname Schomerus mean?

The last name Schomerus is of German origin and is derived from a combination of the words “schorm” and “erus”. Together, these words mean “clearing in the woods”, and it is likely that the first bearer of this name was either a farmer who lived in such a location or someone employed in forestry.

As a result, it is unsurprising that the coat of arms associated with this surname is a tree. In the imagery, there is a green tree standing proudly in the center of the shield, surrounded by two white horizontal stripes below and three stars above. This symbolizes the humble beginnings of the name-holder as well as their connection to the environment.

Today, the name Schomerus continues to be found in Germany, but it has subsequently spread further afield to places such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and even the United States.

Although the exact origins of this name may never be known for certain, it provides a fascinating glimpse into the past. It is a reminder of the important roles that farmers and forestry workers played in the development of the countryside in times gone by, and it speaks of a tradition that has been carried down through the centuries.

Schomerus: Where does the name Schomerus come from?

The last name Schomerus is most commonly found in Germany and other parts of Central Europe today. In Germany, it is among the 500 most common last names. Its frequency in Germany is especially high in the southern and western regions, particularly in the federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Rhineland-Palatinate.

The last name Schomerus is also not uncommon in Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. It has even spread from these countries to other parts of the world, such as to the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and throughout much of South America.

The earliest historical reference to the name Schomerus dates back to the mid-13th century, when a certain Frederick Schomerus is mentioned in records. The introduction of hereditary last names didn't become widespread in Central and Western Europe until the end of the medieval period, and it was during this time that the Schomerus family spread throughout Central Europe.

The Schomerus family is believed to originate from Schomberg, a small town located in the Rhineland Palatinate region of Germany. This suggests that the family likely had their roots in that area, and then gradually migrated to other regions of the continent. Today, the Schomerus family still resides primarily in Germany, Central Europe, and other parts of the world, such as North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Schomerus

SCHOMERUS is an old German surname and variants and spellings of this surname can include SCHÖMER, SCHOEHMER, SHOMER, SCHOMERS, SCHÖMERUS, SCHÖMERUSS, SCHÖMERERS, SCHOMRERS, SCHOMERRUS, SCHOMATS, SCHOMMERS, SCHOMMERTS, SCHOMBERG, SCHOMBERGER, SCHOMER, SCHOMERI, SCHOMERUSCH, and SCHOMBERGE.

The surname originated from the Middle German "schomer", which descended from the Old High German "scumir" and Old Saxon "scumero" and, makes reference to a person who was an official in charge of provincial governance such as a magistrate or sheriff. The term was derived from the old word "scumari", meaning "leader" or "governor".

The use of the term "Schömer" is also seen in Switzerland. It is a common spelling for the German version of the surname here, alongside variations such as “Schömmer” and “Schommer”. Similarly, in Austria it is often found in the form of "Schommer" and is used by families who claim their ancestors were Shomines, originally from Poland or the Polish-German borderlands. In northern Germany, "Schömer" is usually the spelling used.

Despite the localized nature of its origins, “Schomerus” is a relatively widespread surname, with concentrations in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, and various parts of the US. In the US, variant spellings of the name include Schummer, Schommers, and Schumpers.

Famous people with the name Schomerus

• Oliver Schomerus (German actor)
• Günter Schomerus (German classical flute player)
• Renate Schomerus (German politician)
• Christian Schomerus (German extreme sports athlete)
• Max Schomerus (German politician)
• Rolf Schomerus (German novelist)
• Philipp Schomerus (German actor)
• Gert Schomerus (German singer-songwriter)
• Werner Schomerus (German cyclist)
• Hugo Schomerus (German actor)
• Michael Schomerus (German physician)
• Wolf Schomerus (German author and filmmaker)
• Ingo Schomerus (German musician)
• Karl Schomerus (German linguist)
• Anna Schomerus (German actress)
• Werner Schomerus (German ski jumper)
• Gregor Schomerus (German graphic artist)
• Henry Schomerus (German pilot)
• Claire Schomerus (German actress and model)
• Patrick Schomerus (German actor)

Other surnames

SchomerSchomers