Surname Schrittenlochner - Meaning and Origin

Schrittenlochner: What does the surname Schrittenlochner mean?

The German surname Schrittenlochner is thought to be derived from the Middle High German words ‘schritte’ and ‘loch’, meaning ‘walk trough’. The name likely originated in the early Medieval period, when its original bearers lived in areas cordoned off into archaically sized plots of land. Such plots were accessible only by a gate, or ‘loch’, which the person had to ‘walk trough’. As such, the name may have been used as an occupational identifier for a toll collector, or gatekeeper, charged with watching over an exterior passage through an enclosed area. It may also indicate someone who drove livestock through a narrow opening.

Over time, the surname has been found in various parts of the German speaking countries, including Austria, Switzerland, and Prussia. In addition, the name Schrittenlochner remains in use today, especially in the Bavarian region of Germany as well as in Austria.

The name Schrittenlochner is unique in its origin and meaning, and it also serves as a reminder of the region's historical development. It is an apt name for a person who is steadfast in their duties, and who serves as guardian of a location or space.

Schrittenlochner: Where does the name Schrittenlochner come from?

The surname Schrittenlochner is a German surname that is still commonly found in the regions of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland today. The name originated in the Upper Palatinate (Oberpfalz), a historical region in southeastern Bavaria, many centuries ago. The literal translation of the name is ‘step hole hole-er’, likely referring to a maker of ladders or something along those lines. After gaining popularity in the Bavarian region, Schrittenlochner families started to spread to other parts of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, as well as to the United States and Canada.

The name Schrittenlochner is found most frequently in Germany, particularly in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Berlin, Hamburg, and Saxony. In Austria, Schrittenlochner appears in the Vorarlberg, Tyrol, and Carinthia states, while it is proportionally most common in Lower Austria. In Switzerland, the surname is most prominent in Aargau, Thurgau, and Glarus cantons. In 2020, Schrittenlochner ranked 3,489th in frequency among all German surnames.

A number of notable figures trace their names back to Schrittenlochner, including German-American World War II combat pilot Walter Schrittenlochner and Alice Mezrich Schrittenlochner, a Jewish Holocaust survivor who published her testimony in the book Holocaust, My Story. The name also appears in the titles of organizations like the Schrittenlochner Foundation in Philadelphia and the Schrittenlochner Family Association.

Variations of the surname Schrittenlochner

The surname Schrittenlochner is quite uncommon. Its variants, spelling variations, and other names of ascendants of the same origin may include Schrattenlochner, Schrettenlochner, Schrittenlochiner, Schrattenlochiner, Schrettenlochiner, Schrittenlechner, Schrattenlechner, Schrettenlechner and Schrittenlochnermeier.

Some of these spelling variations which are widely used today may have started to appear within the last three centuries, due to the study of history and different cultural influences. It is relatively easy to change a surname from one language to another. The use of an uncle's name, a place of origin or a baptismal name could be a source of variations. This is why a surname could be Specht in German and Peck in English. The different spellings of a surname result from the fact that many modern English-speaking clerks in various parts of Europe were not necessarily familiar with the correct spelling of the name.

Variant spellings of Schrittenlochner occur in records in Europe, America, and Australasia. Examples of variant spellings include Schrattenlochner, Schrettenlochner, Schrittenlochiner, Schrattenlochiner, Schrettenlochiner, Schrittenlechner, Schrattenlechner, Schrettenlechner and Schrittenlochnermeier.

Surnames of the same origin include Schrit, Schritter, Schritzman, Schritzbach, Schtil, Schtiller, Schtras, Schtrombach, and Schwhatever. These may have been derived from pet forms of the surname Schrittenlochner, a derivative of the name Schittenlochner.

There is a possibility that the surname Schrittenlochner could have a French origin. The French form of the surname could be de Schritte or de Schritteau, from which the variants Schritte, Schritteau, and Schritthaler may derive. Other French surnames of similar origin could be deSchmutz, deSchmeier and deSchmitt.

Famous people with the name Schrittenlochner

• Patricia Schrittenlochner: Austrian artist and illustrator
• Franz-Karl Schrittenlochner: Austrian archaeologist
• Johann Schrittenlochner: Austrian visual artist
• Hedwig Schrittenlochner: German swimmer
• Brigitte Schrittenlochner: Austrian Olympic fencer
• Alexander Schrittenlochner: Austrian politician
• Florian Schrittenlochner: Austrian musicologist
• Heinz Schrittenlochner: German football player and manager
• Joey Schrittenlochner: German fashion designer
• Erich Schrittenlochner: Austrian theatre actor

Other surnames

Schrittenlocher