The Schultz Family History

What Does the Schultz Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Schultz derives from a German term that translates to village headman. Its roots can be traced back to the Middle High German word schultheize, which originally referred to an individual tasked with the collection of rents and the remittance of these dues to the lord of the manor. The etymology of the term combines sculd, meaning debt or due, with heiz(z)an, which signifies to command. This surname is also prevalent in Scandinavian regions. Variations of the name include Schultze, Schulz, and Schulze. The Schultz lineage can be found in Germany, Russia, and Prussia. Within England, the highest concentrations of individuals bearing the Schultz surname are found in Yorkshire and London, while a notable presence is also recorded in Midlothian, Scotland. In the United States, states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Missouri have significant populations of Schultz families, many of whom were engaged in agriculture during the 1880s. Noteworthy individuals with the surname include David Schultz (professional wrestler), Johann Heinrich Schultz (18th-century German scholar and inventor of an early photogram), Peter C. Schultz (American pioneer in fiber optics), Dwight Schultz (actor), George P. Schultz (United States Secretary of State from 1982 to 1989), Hermann Schultz (19th-century German theologian), Howard Schultz (business executive and former chairman of Starbucks, as well as owner of the Seattle SuperSonics), Johannes Schultz (17th-century composer), and Daniel Schultz (17th-century painter).