The name may be of Slavic origin as sukątora means "with many turns" or “meandering.” The name underwent a number of changes throughout its recorded history.

"[2] In the middle of the 18th Century, Duke Karl I ordered that the Schunter be made navigable up to the town of Frellstedt.

The Schunter originates in the northeast Elm hills roughly 1 km (0.62 mi) west of the town of Räbke.

It again turns northwest before passing between Heiligendorf, Hattorf and Beienrode, where it reenters the District of Helmstedt.

In its final stretch the Schunter passes Thune, heads west past Harxbüttel and just north of Walle before flowing into the Oker River at Schwülper, downstream of Braunschweig.