Surname Schär - Meaning and Origin
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Unveiling the Swiss Origins & Historical Significance of My Surname Schär through iGENEA's DNA Test
Taking a DNA test with iGENEA provided a comprehensive insight into my family lineage and the historical bearing of my surname Schär. Employing a highly accurate and sophisticated methodology, iGENEA’s DNA test took me on a journey into my deep connections to my Swiss ancestry, dating back to the Middle Ages.
B. Schär
read moreSchär: What does the surname Schär mean?
The surname Schär is derived from German and Swiss German origin. It is a common name, found throughout Europe, especially in Switzerland and Germany. The name translates to "sharp" or "clear" and may have been an occupational name for someone who sharpened knives, swords, razors, or other metal implements. It is also possible that this surname was derived from the Middle High German schar or schaer, which are adjectives meaning quick-witted or clever.
The earliest recorded bearer of this surname was Heinrich Schär, who lived in the city of Freiburg in 1342. The Schär family can be traced back to regions of Bavaria in the fifteenth century. The family largely remained in these areas until the mid-nineteenth century, when some emigrated to the United States and other parts of Europe.
The Schärs have long been associated with various professions, including scholars, craftsmen, merchants, and farmers. The family has a rich history and is known for its patriotism and loyalty to Germany. The Schärs also boast several prominent individuals, such as Heinrich Schär, who was the mayor of Freiburg from 1458-1483, and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Karl Schär.
Today, the Schär surname remains popular throughout Germany and Switzerland. The sharp and clear traits of this surname are still represented in those who bear it, as the family's wit and wisdom is still renowned.
Order DNA origin analysisSchär: Where does the name Schär come from?
The last name Schär is commonly found today in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and France. It is a very common last name in German-speaking countries. It is thought to be a toponymic surname, denoting a place of origin; the name is derived from the German word “Schar” (scare), meaning a pile of stones at the border of a forest.
The Schär last name is especially common in the canton of Zurich, located in the northern, German-speaking area of Switzerland. In fact, it is the single most common last name in the canton; about one-third of the population there has it. In other parts of Switzerland, such as Basel and the area around Geneva, the Schär name is still found, but less frequently.
Schärs are also commonly found in Germany, in particular in the states of Baden, Bavaria, and Saxony. In Austria, it is the sixth most common last name, especially in the provinces of Styria and Carinthia. In Italy, it is a relatively rare last name; the highest concentration of Schärs is found in North Italy, near Verona. In Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and France, Schärs are found only in small numbers.
Overall, the Schär last name is found throughout German-speaking Europe, but nowhere else in large numbers. It is especially common in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.
Variations of the surname Schär
The surname Schär is a variation of the German/Swiss surname Schar, Schaer, Schaar, Schärer, Schaerer, Scharer, Scharr, Scherer, and Scherer. These variations of the original surname Schär all come from the name Schwarz, which is the German word for black. The Schwarz family, who were a prominent medieval family in Switzerland and Germany, were some of the earliest bearers of the name Schär.
The first known bearer of the name Schär was Conrad Schär of Freiburg in 1272. Through time, variations of the same name slowly developed. In many cases, regional variations such as Schar and Scharer in southern Germany and Schär and Schärer in Switzerland, came about due to regional dialects.
Variations of the family name can be found the world over today. Schärer can be found in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Scharr may be found in the Upper Rhine Valley, while Scherer can be found in the Black Forest region. In France, the spelling is often written as Schaer or Schaar. In the United States and Canada, many bearers of the surname Schär anglicized their name and adopted the spelling of Sharr or Sharrer.
Surnames often change over time, and the variations of Schär are no different. While the family name Schär originated as a single family name, over the centuries it has grown to encompass many other variations and spellings. This is due to a mix of dialects, geographical locations, and individual preferences.
Famous people with the name Schär
- Roger Schär: Swiss football player, currently playing for FC Wil.
- Florian Schär: Swiss football player, currently playing for Deportivo Alavés in Spain.
- Felix Schär: Swiss musician, currently playing for jazz band "Upperground Orchestra".
- Chrigel Schär: Swiss rally driver and regular competitor in the World Rally Championship.
- Martin Schär: Swiss architect and designer, best known for his "Baobab" houses.
- Nikolai Schär: Swiss painter and political activist, best known for his abstract expressionism.
- Sonja Schär-Pierron: Swiss soprano, currently a soloist for the Zurich Opera.
- Patrik Schär: Swiss actor, currently playing the lead role in the movie "Woman in Window".
- Jürg Schär: Swiss academic, professor of sociology at the University of Lausanne.
- Carlo Schär: Swiss businessman, current president and CEO of Swiss telecommunications giant Swisscom.