Schermann History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The German surname Schermann 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 Schermann family

The surname Schermann 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 Schermann family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Schermann 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 Schermann History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Schermann Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Schermann include Schirrmann, Schirmann, Schirrman, Schuermann, Schurmann, Schurman, Scherman, Sherman (English), Schirmer and many more.

Early Notables of the Schermann family

Notable figures of the time with the name Schermann 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 Schermann Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Schermann migration to the United States +

The state of Prussia was a great influence on the shape of modern Germany. After the Second World War, Prussia's land was divided among the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany and the state was abolished. Some Prussians remained in those countries after the war, while many others migrated to North America in search of a new start. Philadelphia was their primary point of entry to the United States, after which many of them moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. A large number of Prussians also migrated to Ontario and the prairie provinces as United Empire Loyalists. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Schermanns to arrive in North America, and among them were:

Schermann Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Henrich Schermann, who landed in New York in 1709-1710 1
Simon Schermann, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1733 1
Carl Schermann, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1749 1

Schermann Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Bernard Schermann, who landed in St Clair County, Illinois in 1858 1
Margarethe Schermann, aged 20, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1893 1
Saskel Schermann, aged 24, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1893 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Schermann (post 1700) +

John M. Schermann (b. 1879), American Republican politician, Member of Missouri State House of Representatives from Gasconade County, 1939-50 2

The Schermann 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