Schaller
A German surname with several possible roots, most likely tied to a nickname or occupational term rather than one single meaning.
The #5,873 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 52,552 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Schaller is a German surname whose exact origin is not fully settled. Some older surname writers connect it with names built on German roots for sound or noise, while others treat it as related to forms of scholar or school-related names. Because the historical sources give only brief and sometimes conflicting hints, the safest explanation is that it is a German surname of uncertain derivation, probably arising as a nickname or occupational byname in different localities.
History
The surname is found in German-speaking areas and later appears in immigrant communities abroad, including the United States. The broad spread of related forms such as Schall, Schaler, and Schalling suggests that the name may have arisen independently in more than one place from similar German words or nicknames.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same name-family shows up in several old surname dictionaries with different proposed explanations, which is a good reminder that many surnames did not start with just one clear meaning.
From the historical record
“Saul. N. Sjolfr, contr. of Sse-iilfr; G. Schaul, Schaller, Saul, Sauler ; D.B. Saulf, Seulf, Sawold, Saul ; Dch. Scholl, Saul; Fl. Swolf,”
— British Family Names: their origin and meaning (1st ed.)