Show ContentsSchunk History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

A multitude of prestigious family names, such as the surname Schunk, were formed in the lands which became the modern state of Silesia. In the medieval era, Germany was fragmented and inhabited by numerous Barbarian tribes, who fought amongst themselves for control of the land. The ancient dukedom of Silesia derived its name from the Germanic tribe named the Silingers, who occupied Silesia between the 2nd and the 6th centuries.

Early Origins of the Schunk family

The surname Schunk was first found in Silesia, where this family name became a prominent contributor to the development of the district from the 13th century onwards. 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 nation. The name Schenck was associated with service to many princely families, and several bearers of the name achieved prominent positions, such as Werner Schenck von Reicheneck, who was bishop of Bamberg in 1329.

Early History of the Schunk family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Schunk research. Another 165 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1660, 1711, 1764, 1788 and 1841 are included under the topic Early Schunk History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Schunk Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Schenck, Schenk, Schencken, Schencker, Schenken, Schenker, Schaenker, Schaencker, Shenkin and many more.

Early Notables of the Schunk family

Notables of the period with the surname Schunk were Schenk von Limburg (middle of 13th century), who was a noted German poet in the service of the Hohenstaufen Kings. Schenk von Lisseburg was also a poet...
Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Schunk Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Schunk migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Schunk Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Johannes Schunk, who arrived in America in 1771 1
  • Maria Schunk, who arrived in America in 1772 1
  • Simon Schunk, who landed in America in 1772 1
  • Catharina Schunk, who landed in America in 1781 1
  • Elisabeth Schunk, who arrived in America in 1781 1
Schunk Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Elisibeth Schunk, aged 32, who landed in New York, NY in 1852 1
  • Catharine Schunk, aged 7, who arrived in New York, NY in 1852 1
  • Chednoe Schunk, aged 35, who landed in New York, NY in 1852 1
  • Elisa Schunk, aged 12, who arrived in New York, NY in 1852 1
  • Johann Schunk, aged 5, who landed in New York, NY in 1852 1
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Schunk (post 1700) +

  • Mae A. Schunk (b. 1934), née Gasparac, an American politician, 45th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003
  • Ross Schunk (b. 1986), American soccer player for the Colorado Rapids
  • Dale H. Schunk, American educational psychologist, former Dean and current professor in the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  • Ludwig Schunk (1884-1947), German manufacturer and co-founder of the firm of Schunk und Ebe oHG


  1. 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)


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