Shallenberger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The Shallenberger family name comes from the from Middle High German word "schal," which means "noise," or "bragging," and as such is was thought to have originally been a nickname for a braggart, or for a market crier. The German people originally used only one name, but as the population grew there was often confusion between people of the same name. This required people to adopt hereditary surnames. Many people took surnames based on nicknames - sometimes known as eke-names - that described certain personal characteristics.

Early Origins of the Shallenberger family

The surname Shallenberger was first found in the ancient Rhineland, where this family name became associated with a notable aristocratic line of the city of Cologne. 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. Chronicles mention one Robert Schallo as early as 1150.

Early History of the Shallenberger family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shallenberger research. Another 148 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1387, 1592, 1666, 1745 and 1815 are included under the topic Early Shallenberger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shallenberger 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 Shallenberger include Schall, Schaal, Schal, Schaell, Schael, Schalle, Schaller, Schallin and many more.

Early Notables of the Shallenberger family

More information is included under the topic Early Shallenberger Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shallenberger migration to the United States +

Between the 17th and 20th centuries, hundreds of thousands of Europeans came to North America, and many Rhinelanders were among them. They had many various reasons for making the choice: to escape poverty and persecution, for adventure, and for the opportunity to own their own land. Ellis Island, one of the main American immigration centers, saw many settlers as they moved on to the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, and New York. In Canada, they found homes in Ontario, and on the great plains of the Midwestern provinces. The Shallenberger were among of the early German families that came to North America:

Shallenberger Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

William S Shallenberger, aged 65, who immigrated to the United States, in 1905
Grace Shallenberger, aged 33, who settled in Waterloo, Iowa, in 1910
Wilbert Shallenberger, aged 36, who settled in Waterloo, Iowa, in 1910
Mary T. Shallenberger, aged 34, who landed in America, in 1915
Paul Shallenberger, aged 43, who settled in Jefferson City, Montana, in 1920
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Shallenberger (post 1700) +

William Shadrack Shallenberger (1839-1914), American politician, Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania
Oliver B. Shallenberger (1860-1898), American engineer and inventor of the induction meter for measuring alternating current
Ashton Cokayne Shallenberger (1862-1938), American politician, 15th Governor of Nebraska (1909 to 1911)