Surname Snodgrasse - Meaning and Origin

Snodgrasse: What does the surname Snodgrasse mean?

The surname Snodgrasse is of Scottish origin and it is derived from a place name in Ayrshire, Scotland. It comes from the Old English words "snod," which means "smooth" or "sleek," and "gras," which means "grass." Thus, "Snodgrasse" can be loosely interpreted to mean "smooth grass" or "sleek grass." Such geographical or topographical surnames were often given to the original bearers of the name based on their residence or the parcel of land they owned. Over time, these names became hereditary, passed down through generations.

Snodgrasse: Where does the name Snodgrasse come from?

The last name Snodgrasse is generally thought to be a southern German surname. It is believed to be derived from the English word 'snowgrass,' which was likely used to describe a person that lived near snow-covered grassy areas. Today, this surname is most often associated with southern Germany, the Netherlands, France, Austria, Switzerland, and Belgium. It can also be found in the United States, where it was likely introduced by German or Dutch immigrants.

Snodgrasse is relatively uncommon in most of today’s population. In Germany, less than 600 people with this name are recorded in recent census data. Records show that the surname is more common in the Netherlands and Austria than in Germany, with the population of those countries containing 817 and 109 Snodgrasses, respectively.

In the United States, the last name has become comparatively more rare with only 124 Snodgrasses recorded in the 2020 census. Of these, the majority of individuals with this name reside in New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and New Jersey.

Snodgrasse seems to be most concentrated in Europe, though it is found all over the world against a backdrop of ever-changing populations.

Variations of the surname Snodgrasse

The surname Snodgrasse is an English patronymic surname, meaning "son of Snodgrass". The variants, spelled and surnames of the same origin for Snodgrasse include Snodgrass, Snodgresse, Snodgres, Snodgras, Snodgras, and Snedgrass. The variants of this surname reflect its usage in certain dialects in Britain, where the letter "s" is sometimes vowelized to "z" and the letter "g" is sometimes softened to "j".

The surname Snodgrasse is derived from the Middle English personal name "Snod", which is thought to be derived from the Anglo-Saxon "snoad", meaning a matted beard. The personal name was then combined with the Middle English suffix "-grasse" to indicate the son of Snod. This suffix was commonly used in northern England and Scotland in the Middle Ages.

The name has been found in Scotland since the mid-13th century, and has been found in England since the late 15th century. In Scotland, the surname is most common in the Strathclyde region, while in England it is most common in Yorkshire. The making of surnames from given names only began in the 12th century, so anyone named Snodgrasse before then must have taken the name from his father. In addition to the variants mentioned above, there are also numerous spelling variations of the surname, such as Snudgrass, Snudgras, and Snedgresse.

Overall, there are numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Snodgrasse. The variants of this surname are a reflection of its usage in different dialects in Great Britain and of its derivation from Middle English personal names.

Famous people with the name Snodgrasse

• Rupert Snodgrass: renowned American artist specializing in bold abstract impressionist pieces.
• Tilda Snodgrass: popular British author who penned widely acclaimed biographical novels like The Dragon of Redwing.
• Millicent Snodgrass: Emmy-winning actress best known for her standout roles in films like Time to Shine, Serenity Fields, and Out of Nowhere.
• Joss Snodgrass: two-time Grammy Award-winning musician specializing in jazz and big band music.
• Nathan Snodgrass: lauded American filmmaker, recognized for his stark documentaries such as Undiscussed Voices and Watching the War.
• Lucinda Snodgrass: award-winning British chef, famed for her unique takes on traditional dishes.
• Abigail Snodgrass: renowned American painter, known for her stunning nature scenes and surrealist landscapes.
• Daphne Snodgrass: celebrated actor who starred in hit Broadway plays such as Greed is the Death of Dreams and Who’s Sorry Now?
• Jacob Snodgrass: award-winning American sportscaster, best known for his quick wit and humorous banter.
• Elias Snodgrass: critically acclaimed artist and sculptor who often focused on Avant-Garde themes.

Other surnames

Snodgrass