Scherman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The German surname Scherman emerged in the lands that formed the powerful German state of Prussia, which at one time was an immense German territory that stretched from France and the Low Countries to the Baltic sea and Poland. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the German territories were inhabited by a variety of Barbarian tribes. The borders of the Barbarian kingdoms changed frequently, but the region that became known as Prussia was roughly divided between the areas of Brandenburg-Prussia, West Prussia, and East Prussia. Brandenburg-Prussia was essentially the birthplace of modern Germany. By the 19th century, Brandenburg-Prussia had incorporated East Prussia, West Prussia and many other German territories. Moreover, in the late 19th century, it led the German states in German Unification.

Early Origins of the Scherman family

The surname Scherman was first found in Prussia, where this family name became a prominent contributor to the development of the many regions within Prussia in the Middle Ages. Always prominent in social affairs, the name became an integral part of that turbulent region as it emerged to form alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the Prussian nation.

Early History of the Scherman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Scherman research. Another 163 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1390, 1396, 1623, 1686, 1783, 1825, 1829, 1874 and 1893 are included under the topic Early Scherman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Scherman Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Scherman include Schirrmann, Schirmann, Schirrman, Schuermann, Schurmann, Schurman, Scherman, Sherman (English), Schirmer and many more.

Early Notables of the Scherman family

Notable figures of the time with the name Scherman were David Schirmer (1623-1686), a German lyric poet and librarian, who also used the pseudonyms Der Bestimmende, Der Beschirmende and DiSander; Gustav Schirmer (1829-1893), who founded the publishing firm...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Scherman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Scherman migration to the United States +

Much of German history has been shaped by the state of Prussia. It was an enduring military power until after the Second World War. At that time, the state was abolished altogether and its land divided between the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany. While some Prussians were content to remain in those countries, others moved away, many of them migrating to North America. They entered the United States mostly through Philadelphia, moving on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Others went to Canada, settling on the prairies and in the province of Ontario. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were:

Scherman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Valentyn Scherman, who arrived in New York in 1709 [1]
Heinrich Scherman in New York State in 1710
Henrich Scherman, who landed in New York in 1710 [1]
Georg Scherman, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1733 [1]
Antoine Scherman, who arrived in Long Island in 1782 [1]

Scherman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Heronimus Scherman, who arrived in Alabama in 1855 [1]
Gerhart Scherman, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1865 [1]
Philip Scherman, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1878 [1]

Contemporary Notables of the name Scherman (post 1700) +

Harry Scherman (1887-1969), Canadian-born, American publisher and economist, co-founder of the Book of the Month Club
Frederick John Scherman Jr. (b. 1944), American Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played from 1969 to 1976
Rowland Scherman, American photographer
Katharine Scherman Rosin (1915-2009), American author of non-fiction
David E. Scherman (1916-1997), American photojournalist and editor
Nosson Scherman (b. 1935), American Haredi rabbi, general editor of ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications
George Scherman, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from New York County 8th District, 1874 [2]
Lucian Scherman (1864-1946), German Indologist and curator of the Ethnology Museum in Munich
Karl Gustaf Scherman (b. 1938), Swedish economist and government official
Jan Scherman, Swedish journalist and CEO for the Sweden-based TV company TV4 AB
... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Scherman Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Felix sua sorte contentus
Motto Translation: Happy, contented with his lot

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html