schütte

Schütte is a German surname and, less commonly, a toponym used in German-speaking areas. The surname is typically written with an umlaut, and English-language texts often render it as Schuette or Schutte. Variants without the umlaut, such as Schuette or Schutte, are common among families that migrated to English-speaking countries.

Etymology and origins commonly point to a topographic or occupational source. The name is associated with a word for a hut, shed, or shelter, reflecting a habitational origin linked to a place feature or to a role connected with such structures. As a result, Schütte historically appears in medieval records in German-speaking regions and has spread through migration to other parts of Europe and the Americas.

Distribution and use. Today, Schütte remains most prevalent in Germany and among descendants of German communities abroad. The spelling with umlaut is still preferred in German contexts, while Anglicized variants are widespread in the United States, Canada, and other countries with German heritage. The name is used by various individuals across fields such as science, arts, and public life, though no single figure dominates the name’s notability.

Other uses. In addition to the surname, Schütte may appear in toponymy as part of place names or geographic qualifiers, though such occurrences are usually tied to the family name rather than as independent place designations.

See also. Variants include Schutte and Schuette. For a list of people and places bearing the name, see Schütte (disambiguation) or Schutte (surname).