Recorded as Schindel, Schindl, Schindler, Schindler, Schindel, Schindelmann and the transposed dialectal variant Synder, this is a Germanic occupational surname of the medieval period. It originally described a layer of roofs or a maker of 'shingles', the latter being wooden tiles still used in many parts of the world, as amongst other attributes, they possess great insulation faculties. Not surprisingly this is one of the earliest of all surnames, being first recorded as early as the year 1248, when Counradus Schindelere is given as being the burger of Uri in Switzerland, whilst a few years later in 1266 Cunradus Schindeler appears in the charters of Gersbach, Germany. Other later recordings include Fridericus Schindel of Strasburg in the year 1304, Wolfgang Schindle of Elbogen in 1494, and in the surviving church registers that of Gertrudis Synder, the daughter of John Synder, christened at Jagstkreis, Wuerttemberg, on October 18th 1674. Occupational surnames were unusual in that whilst they were amongst the earliest to be created, they did not become hereditary until or unless a son followed his father into the same line of business. Surprisingly many did not, and therefore names died out, often as quickly as they were created.

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