The etymology of the name Schüttorf is not exactly known and various folk explanations have been put forth, the most widespread of which is the legend that tells of the river Vechte being diverted around the town as early as 1295 by building a dam. The workers on this project are said to have dumped out the contents of their pushcarts on the command "Schütt’t d’r up". This legend, however, only explains the sound of one of the town's modern names (the Low German name Schüttrupp).