Snyder
An occupational surname meaning “tailor,” especially common in German- and Dutch-speaking communities.
The #165 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 1,927 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Snyder is an Anglicized spelling of German Schneider, the word for a tailor. The surname ultimately comes from a verb meaning “to cut,” referring to the cutting of cloth. Related Dutch and Low German forms such as snijder, snider, and schnyder show the same occupational origin.
History
The name spread into English-speaking areas through German and Dutch immigration, especially in North America. In Pennsylvania German communities, Snyder became one of the standard spellings for families whose original surname was Schneider or a close dialect form. Historical surname writers also noted related spellings such as Schneider, Schnider, and Snider.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In older surname studies, Snyder is often treated simply as the English spelling of German Schneider, making it a classic immigrant-name adaptation.
From the historical record
“Welshman from its neighbourhood. SNYDER = Snider, q.v. SOAM \ (Scand.) Swarthy, Blackish, SOAME/ [O.N.sdm-r] SOAMES, Soam(e)'s (Son) : v. Soam(e. SOAN \ (Teut.) Son (a pet name) [M,E. SOANE / sone, O.E. sunu = Fris. soan = M.Dut. sone (Dut. zoon) = Ger. sohn, son]”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)