Schreiner

Recorded in many spellings forms including Schryner, Screin, Schreine, Schreiner, Schrinel, Schrin, Schrinar,Schrinck, Schrinding, and Schreindl, this is an occupational surname of German origins. It derives from the pre 7th century word 'shryne' meaning a carpenter, and as such was one of the most important jobs of the Middle Ages. The surname is first recorded in the year 1405 when Heintz Schryner was registered as a citizen of Mergentheim. This is rather later than might have been expected, and this may be because many early charters and registers were lost in the Second World War (1939 - 1945). Occupational surnames were amongst the first to be created, although they only became hereditary if the son or grandson continued in the same occupation as the father or grandfather. The surname is popular in the USA where it was first 'imported' by the kings of England, who were also kings of Hanover in Germany. These monarchs, specifically King George 1st and 11nd, encouraged their citizens to move to the land of potential plenty, granting them free lands particularly in the Mid-West in return for military service mainly against the French. Other examples of the surname recording include: Heinrich Schreiner of Coln in 1642, and Heindrich Schreindl of Niederbayern, on December 5th 1872.