Schober - Name

This interesting name is of German origin, recorded in the Netherlands in Utrecht and in Harlem and in Germany in Nordingen in Bavaria and the Rheineland. The name is from the German word "Schober", meaning (hay) stack, and forms a metonymic occupational surname for a farmer. The word could also be used for a stook of corn or wheat. The name Schober is recorded heraldically in Rietstap's Armorial General" where the Schobers of Utrecht bear "canting arms" in which the arms are allusive to the name of the bearer. The arms are quartered, a gold wheatsheaf (signifiying great prosperity) on red and silver at 1st and 4th, with a red lion rampant (signifying a personal gift from the monarch) on a gold field at 2nd and 3rd. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Johannes Schober. which was dated c.1680, Utreacht. during the reign of King William III, (of England), 1650 - 1702. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.