Surname Scholte - Meaning and Origin
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Scholte: What does the surname Scholte mean?
The last name Scholte is believed to be of Dutch origin. It is thought to be derived from the Old German word “scholt,” which means “guard or steward.” It likely referred to a professional soldier employed by a lord or ruler in the Middle Ages to protect the lord’s possessions and assert the lord’s authority. In Germany and the Netherlands, the Scholte name indicates a family of influential nobility.
The first recorded use of this surname is in the 13th century when a German noble named Jodocus Scholte van Brandenburg is named in the archives of the Teutonic Knights. A Dutch noble family from Zaltbommel, Netherlands, carried the Scholte name from the 16th century to the present day.
The Scholte name eventually spread to the United States in the mid-1800s with immigration of Dutch and German settlers. Today, Scholte is a relatively common surname in the Netherlands, but still relatively rare in the United States.
The Scholte family is often associated with quality and respect. This may be due to their long history of nobility and power, but also due to more modern ties to success and education. Many members of the Scholte family have become well-known for their achievements in science, business, and the arts.
Order DNA origin analysisScholte: Where does the name Scholte come from?
The last name Scholte is most commonly found today in the Netherlands, particularly in the province of Fryslan in the northern part of the country. It is unclear exactly how the name originated, but it is thought to have derived from the old Dutch word 'scholte', meaning 'schoolteacher'.
Scholte is also the second most common Dutch surname in nearby Germany, particularly in the areas along the Dutch-German border. Additionally, this last name may be found occasionally in other countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and other countries where Dutch immigrants settled.
In the Netherlands, the Scholtes have maintained a strong presence in the country over the centuries. This is demonstrated in the names of various Dutch towns and cities, including Scholtenshuis, Scholtenstraat, and Scholteplaats, as well as in public monuments and buildings named after members of this family.
The Scholte family continues to be a respected and prominent part of Dutch society today. Notable descendants include various prominent politicians, writers, artists, and religious figures, as well as members of the aristocracy and other influential families. Overall, the Scholte surname remains a common and respected last name in the Netherlands and other countries where it is found.
Variations of the surname Scholte
The surname Scholte is believed to have first been used in the Netherlands, and is Dutch in origin. This surname is most commonly found as Scholte, but also variants such as Scholten, Scholtens, Scholl, Scholler, and Schollers can also be used.
Despite their similar spelling, Scholtens is a distinct surname from the Scholte family. It is believed to have originated from the Dutch word "scholt" which means "guard" or "warden". Members of this family would have been hired as protectors of property and land, making it a profession-derived surname.
The spelling Scholl, is thought to have been derived from the German region Scholl. It is also thought to be a shortened form of the Germanic given name "Scholleburcht" which means "fortified house".
The spelling Scholler is believed to be derived from the Old German word "schola", which means "school". Members of the Scholler family were most likely related to early schoolmasters and teachers. The spelling Schollers is thought to be a variant of the Scholler surname.
In total, seven distinct surnames are related to the Scholte family. While they all are of Dutch origin, each family has a unique spelling that reveals their probable origin and profession.
Famous people with the name Scholte
- Deborah Scholte, PhD, President and CEO of the Quality Forward organization.
- Wilhelmina Scholte, Dutch actress, director, and writer.
- Johnny Scholte, Dutch musician, songwriter and stage actor.
- Anna Scholte, Dutch professional dressage rider and silver medalist at the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
- Jeannette Scholte, former Dutch field hockey player who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
- Kees Scholte, Dutch politician and former mayor of Leeuwarden.
- Johan Derk Scholte, Dutch theologian whose philosophy was known as "Scholte Thought".
- Claes Scholte, former manager of the Dutch field hockey team.
- Elsa Scholte, Dutch photographer who has captured workshops and projects been done in the Netherlands and abroad.
- Eva Scholte, Dutch-born American lawyer and women's rights activist.