Surname Schulden - Meaning and Origin
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Schulden: What does the surname Schulden mean?
The last name Schulden is of German origin, derived from the word "schuld" meaning "debt" and "schulden" meaning "debtors". This name likely came from someone who was a "debtor", either as an occupation or as a social condition. One of the earliest records of the surname dates back to 1641, in the court records of Ulm, Bavaria when Johann Schulden was listed as owing a debt.
The name Schulden also reflects an old Germanic principle that debt was not to be taken lightly, but rather taken very seriously. In German society, those in debt were respected for taking responsibility for their obligations. Those with the last name Schulden were often seen as demonstrating personal responsibility and reliability.
Today, the last name Schulden has a range of meanings, depending upon the context in which it is used. It may refer to someone who is financially beholden, or it could signify reliability and responsibility. While the surname may have had negative connotations in the past, it can also be seen as a reflection of the current importance of personal responsibility.
Order DNA origin analysisSchulden: Where does the name Schulden come from?
The last name Schulden is most commonly seen in Germany, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. This name is especially common in the northwest region of Germany, and has been around since the middle ages when it was a part of the Holy Roman Empire. It is believed to be derived from Middle Low German words for “debt” and “obligation”, which may explain why it is most common in these areas.
The Netherlands and Luxembourg both have large German-speaking populations, so the name is also commonly seen there. In addition, some people of German origin in other countries, such as the United States, may carry the Schulden name.
In western countries, Schulden is often anglicized as Schuldon, Sholden, or Sholdon, or sometimes as Sholtz, Sheltz, or Shultz. However, the original spelling in German is still commonly seen there, especially in official records like birth certificates, marriage records, and death certificates. Those bearing the Schulden name may take pride in their Germanic heritage and the history of their name and its place in Europe.
Variations of the surname Schulden
The surname Schulden is German in origin and is derived from the noun “Schuld” which means “debt”. This surname is mainly found in the German-speaking countries of Europe, along with other variations of the name, including Schulde, Schuldner, and Schulder. There are also a number of variant spellings and surnames of the same origin, such as Schuldenfrei, Schuldenfurst, Schuldenberg, Schuldig, Schuldier, Schuldling, Schuldmann, Schuldnerin, and Schuldnerisch.
Schuldenfrei is an alternative spelling of Schulden and is used to indicate an individual who is free from debt. Similarly, Schuldenfurst is another variation of the name and is usually found as part of a compound last name, indicating a “creditor” or “debt bearer”. Schuldenberg is a surname bearing the same meaning, and it usually refers to someone who takes on debts or is responsible for them.
Schuldig is also a variant spelling of Schulden and means “guilty” in German. Schuldier is a form of the surname, used for a person who is a debtor. Schuldling is another variant spelling referring to someone who is in debt or liable, while Schuldmann translates to “debt man”. Schuldnerin and Schuldnerisch are further variations of the surname which refer to a female debtor or a person who is of debt-bearing status, respectively.
Famous people with the name Schulden
- Tim Schuldenfrei: German singer and songwriter
- Rolf Schuldenfrei: German lawyer
- Barbara Schuldenfrei: German biathlete
- Johannes Schuldenfrei: German actor
- Helga Schuldenfrei: German filmmaker
- Sabine Schuldenfrei: German Goldwinning Paralympian
- Hanna Schuldenfrei: German singer and songwriter
- August Schuldenfrei: German mathematician
- Hans Schuldenfrei: German writer
- Kai Schuldenfrei: German professor of Business Administration and Management