Surname Schultze - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling My Heritage: Tracing the Cultural and Historical Journey of the Schultze Surname with iGENEA DNA Test

The iGENEA DNA test has unveiled an extraordinary narrative of my heritage. It explores the journey of my surname, Schultze, showing its origins as an occupational title indicating a position of authority in Early Middle Ages Germany. It lays out a vivid tapestry of my ancestors' historical and geographical influences, their cultural practices and migration patterns that span continents. The test is not merely a scientific analysis, but a tremendous doorway into understanding our roots and the passage of time.

O. Schultze

Schultze: What does the surname Schultze mean?

The last name Schultze is of German origin and is a variant of the name "Schultheiß." The name Schultheiß is a historical term for a local official or judge, similar to a mayor or a magistrate, in various German-speaking regions throughout the Medieval era. The name was often used to denote someone who holds a position of authority or power. The transformation of "Schultheiß" to "Schultze" is thought to be a result of regional dialects and pronunciations, with Schultze being more prevalent in Northern Germany. Therefore, the surname Schultze could be indicative of an ancestral lineage tracing back to an authoritative or judicial figure in German history.

Schultze: Where does the name Schultze come from?

The surname Schultze is of German origin, and it was originally a status name for a village headman, from the Middle High German "schultheize". This title referred to various local official roles, often related to law enforcement or fiscal administration. The usage of the "ze" at the end often indicates a Southern German origin as opposed to "Schulz" which is more common in Northern Germany.

In modern times, the surname Schultze is more commonplace in Germany, but it has also spread to other parts of the world over the years, particularly in regions that have seen significant German immigration. These areas can include parts of the United States, South America (especially Brazil, Argentina, and Chile), and Canada, where descendants of German immigrants may carry this surname. The alternative spelling "Schultz" is also quite common, especially in the United States. However, Germany remains the principal region where the Schultze surname is most common today.

Variations of the surname Schultze

The surname Schultze has various spellings and variants, reflecting different geographical origins, linguistic nuances, and historical changes. These include Schulze, Schulz, Shulz, Schultz, Shultz, Scholz, Scholtz, Scholtze, and Scholze.

In English-speaking countries, the surnaturalized versions could be found as Shults or Sholts. A less common spelling is Schults. In some instances, the "e" at the end of Schultze may also be dropped as in Schultz.

All these surnames trace back to the same Middle High German word "Schultheize" which means "village headman" or "mayor". The word itself is a combination of "schuld" meaning "debt" or "guilt" and "heizōn" meaning "to command". Therefore, individuals with these surnames were often associated with people who held administrative responsibility in their communities.

Furthermore, each of these variants may also have diminutive forms, for instance, Schultze could become Schultzchen. The addition of "chen" indicates a smaller size or younger age. Hyphenated variants may also exist, primarily resulting from marriage; an example could be Schultz-Kramer. Lastly, the name could also be revealed in patronymics, indicating a familial relationship, as in Schulzson.

Famous people with the name Schultze

• Hans Schultze-Naumburg, German architect.
• Werner Schultze-Mittendorf, German psychologist and philosopher.
• Arnold Schultze, German pediatrician.
• Claus Schultze, German painter and printmaker.
• Kristin Schultze, German design theorist.
• Joe Schultze, American sports broadcaster.
• Henry Schultze, German linguist.
• Uwe Schultze, German painter.
• Henry Schultze-Siemens, German industrialist.
• Julius Schultze, German language professor.
• Richard Schultze-Naumburg, German art historian.
• Wilhelmine Schultze-Rechberg, German feminist and writer.
• Carl Schultze, German composer and conductor.
• Elisabeth Schultze-Berge, German composer.
• Aileen Schultze, German journalist and editor.
• Walter Schultze-Wiechmann, German politician.
• Georg Schultze, German man of letters.
• Jürgen Schultze, German professor of computer science.
• Max Schultze, German physicist and zoologist.
• Georg Schultze-Clodius, German statesman.
• Suzanne Schultze, German writer.
• Johannes Schultze, German actor.
• Eugen Schultze, German psychiatrist.
• Erich Schultze, German conductor.
• Karl Schultze, German astronomer.
• Alfred Schultze, German art historian.
• Asmus Schultze, German fighter ace.
• Hermann Schultze, German film director.
• Ulrike Schultze, German ceramicist and potter.
• Joachim Schultze, German politician and diplomat.

Other surnames

SchultSchulteSchulteheinrichSchultehinrichsSchulteisSchultejohannSchultekSchultenSchultenjohannSchultensSchultesSchultessSchulteßSchultetusSchulthSchulthaisSchultheSchultheihsSchultheisSchultheißSchultheissSchultheiszSchulthesSchultisSchultsSchultzSchultzekSchultzen