Surname von Schirach - Meaning and Origin
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von Schirach: What does the surname von Schirach mean?
The surname von Schirach is of German origin and can be translated to “from Schirach”. Scholars speculate that it refers to an area in the Rhineland where its earliest bearers lived, though definitive evidence of the origin of the name is largely lacking.
In Germany, members of the von Schirach family are primarily known for having a significant influence on politics throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The Reichsführer and Supreme Commander of the Hitler Youth, Baldur von Schirach, and Nazi Party leader, Fritz von Schirach, were both influential members of the family.
Today, the surname von Schirach is also still present in Germany, as well as parts of Europe, the United States, and Canada, where many emigrated after World War II. Beyond Germany’s political history, von Schirach is also known for its writers and works of art. In particular, author Christoph von Schirach, the youngest son of Baldur von Schirach, wrote the novel “The Berlin Stories” about life in post-war Berlin.
Clearly, von Schirach is an old family name with a long and varied history in Germany and beyond. Its connections to politics, literature, and art make it a truly unique name.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Schirach: Where does the name von Schirach come from?
The last name von Schirach is most commonly found in Germany today. There are about 3,000 Schirachs in Germany today, and the most Schirachs are found in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, although the name is known throughout the country.
The von Schirach family can trace its lineage back to a group of 11th-century settlers in Franconia, present-day Bavaria. The founding family originally had the surname "Scherachment”, which was shortened to Schirach around the 16th century.
The Schirachs have been influential throughout German history. Many prominent figures in politics, the arts, and the sciences come from the Schirach family. These include the lawyer and politician Alfred von Schirach, the opera singer Elise von Schirach, and the physicist and philosopher Richard von Schirach.
Today, the Schirach name is still associated with nobility and status in Germany. The Schirachs remain a prominent and respected family in Germany and Austria, and the surname von Schirach is still used by many high-ranking members of German society.
Variations of the surname von Schirach
The popular German surname von Schirach has a variety of variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. These alternate spellings and surnames include:
- Schirach
- Schirack
- Schierach
- Schirachs
- Schierack
- Schiracken
- Schürer
- Schürach
- Schürr
- Schurer
- Schurr
- Schirr
- Scharr
- Scherr
- Scherack
- Scherach
- Scheracken
- Scherrach
- Schenrach
- Schürrack
- Schiurack
- Schÿrach
- Shirack
- Shiracken
The surnames von Schirach, Schirach, Schirack, and Schierach can be found in records in modern Germany, while the surnames Schiracken, Schürach, Schiurack, and Schÿrach are more commonly found in Austria. The surnames Schürer, Schürr, Schurer, Schurr, Schirr, Scharr, Scherr, Scherack, Scherach, Scheracken, Scherrach, Schenrach, and Schürrack come from various German and Austrian dialects and regions.
In medieval Germany, the surname von Schirach was often preceded by various versions of the German word “von”. This is the traditional spelling, although there are some different spellings of this prefix as well, such as “vonn” (meaning “from” in German), “vom” (also meaning “from”), and “fon” (meaning “from”).
The von Schirach surname is thought to have originated in the German region of Bavaria, and is associated with various branches of the noble Schirach family, who were influential in politics and law in the region.
Famous people with the name von Schirach
- Baldur von Schirach: A Nazi official in the Third Reich, Baldur von Schirach was the leader of the Hitler Youth from 1931 until 1940, when he was appointed Gauleiter (Regional Leader) of Vienna.
- Berthold von Schirach: The eldest son of Baldur von Schirach, Berthold was a lieutenant in the German Luftwaffe during World War II and the chief of the German Youth in the Hitler Youth movement.
- Bettina von Schirach: Bettina von Schirach was an internationally renowned writer, playwright, cultural activist and political advisor. She was the daughter of Baldur von Schirach and the wife of Konrad Adenauer, the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- Ava Von Schirach: Ava Von Schirach is an author and communications strategist who writes about the intersection of technology, its impact on humanity, and the perception and effects of its creative use.
- Sofie Von Schirach: Sofie von Schirach is a German writer, performer, composer and cultural theorist, best known as the author of several books in the field of film and media studies.
- Marie-Luise von Schirach: Marie-Luise von Schirach is a German socialite, memoirist and historian who published several works. She is the daughter of Baldur von Schirach and the wife of Franz von Papen, the former Chancellor of Germany.
- Hubertus Von Schirach: Hubertus von Schirach is a German lawyer and former politician. He is the son of Baldur von Schirach, the Hitler Youth leader, and the grandson of Franz von Papen, the former German Chancellor.