Shechtmans

Shechtman is a surname of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It is believed to be an occupational surname, likely derived from the Yiddish word "schecht" which refers to a kosher butcher. Therefore, individuals bearing the surname Shechtman were historically likely descended from families involved in the ritual slaughter of animals according to Jewish dietary laws.

The surname is found predominantly in Jewish communities in Eastern Europe, particularly in areas that were historically part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and surrounding regions. As Jewish populations migrated, the Shechtman surname spread to various parts of the world, including North America, Israel, and Western Europe.

Notable individuals with the surname Shechtman include Dan Shechtman, an Israeli engineer and materials scientist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2011 for his discovery of quasicrystals. The presence of such individuals has contributed to the recognition and visibility of the surname in various fields. The Shechtman surname continues to be carried by descendants of families who established this lineage over centuries.