Surname Schrecklein - Meaning and Origin

Schrecklein: What does the surname Schrecklein mean?

The last name Schrecklein is a German surname that is derived from the Middle High German word “schrecken,” meaning “to frighten,” and the diminutive suffix, “lein” which often refers to a small or affectionate person. The name can therefore be interpreted to mean “a small or affectionate person who frightens.”

More specifically, the family roots of Schrecklein have been traced to the regions of Alsace and Lorraine in France, and regions of Germany and Austria near the borders of France and Switzerland. While today the surname is found throughout Europe and the United States, the earliest known bearers had a single origin.

In today’s context, the surname Schrecklein can evoke a variety of images, depending of course on an individual’s own cultural upbringing and perspective. To some, the “frights” associated with the name could be seen as a source of protection and courage; while to others, it could represent a sense of mystery and fear.

Regardless of the varied interpretations, the name Schrecklein stands as a reminder of the strong family ties that bind those with this heritage — affording a deep sense of ancestry, identity, and pride that grows more profound with each generation.

Schrecklein: Where does the name Schrecklein come from?

The last name Schrecklein is more commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In the last two centuries, some families bearing this name may have emigrated to other countries in Europe and around the world, although it is still quite rare outside the German-speaking countries.

In Germany, Schrecklein is particularly common in the southern and southwestern states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, with some presence also seen in northern states such as Hamburg and Lower Saxony, plus even more remote regions such as Saxony-Anhalt.

In the last name database of Ancestry.com, it is notable that while Schrecklein is quite rare in the United States, it is more than twice as common in Switzerland compared to Germany according to the name's frequency there. The surname appears to be less common in Austria.

Wherever it is found, Schrecklein is an ultimately German name with roots in a combination of the Old German personal names Schrecke plus lein, a diminutive suffix. Thus, the last name can be roughly translated as "little terror" or similar.

Variations of the surname Schrecklein

Schrecklein is a German surname, derived from the words 'schrecken' and 'lein', which means 'fright' and 'little', respectively. It can be spelled differently in various regions or according to individual preference, but some of the most common variations are Schreckle, Schrecklin, Schreckling and Schrécklein.

In addition, some variations exist which emphasize the meaning of the original surname even further, and these include Schreckleins, Schrecki, Schrecker, Schreckers, Schreckles, Shrek, Schrecksturm and Schreckjäger.

In areas which contain large concentrations of German speakers, such as the United States, the Netherlands, and Canada, variants of the surname which make use of the different spellings to interact with the native language have been developed. Schreckle, for example, may be spelt incorrectly to resemble the English word 'shrill'. Additionally, Schreckling may become Schreckink or Schrecking, and Schrecklein could become Screkey, Screke, Screkel or Screklein.

Due to marriages or a desire to change their surname, many people with the Schrecklein surname have adopted a different spelling, which has given rise to the creation of various other surnames. These include Shreck, Schrecken, Scriven, Screevers, Schrecker and Shryock.

Overall, the Schrecklein surname has a total of approximately 33 variants, spellings and connected surnames.

Famous people with the name Schrecklein

• Hugo Schrecklein: German composer, musician and former professor at the Leipzig Conservatory.
• Sibylle Schrecklein: German entrepreneur, founder and CEO of the Association for Music and Theatre Education.
• Erich Schrecklein: German political figure who served as Minister of Trade and Industry of Bavaria from 1942–45.
• Richard Schrecklein: German football player and manager.
• Julius Schrecklein: German Politician, served as mayor of Leipzig from 1936–37.
• Angelika Schrecklein: Austrian actress, most known for her roles on the soap opera "Verliebt in Berlin."
• Wolfgang Schrecklein: German businessman, former Chairman and CEO of Allianz SE.
• Josef Schrecklein: Former Austrian World War II pilot, known for flying a small and virtually undocumented glider of his own invention, the Schrecklein V1.
• Karl Schrecklein: German engineer and professor who specialized in aerospace engineering, most known for building Germany's first powered flying machine.
• Fritz Schrecklein: German-American aviation photographer who documented some of the major events in aviation history, including the crash of the Hindenburg.

Other surnames

Schreckl