SNYDER Family History

Recorded in several spellings including Schneidau, Schneider, Schneidar, Schnieder, Scneider, Snyder, and Schnitter, this is an occupational German surname, although one also recorded in Austria, France and Belgium since the medieval times. It derives from the word "snitare", itself a derivative of the pre 8th century "snidden", and translates as "one who sews" - a tailor. This relatively humble, but highly important origin, does not seem to have been a bar to the success of the name holders, there being at least eight coats of arms granted to various members over the centuries.