| ![Show Contents]() Shankland History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Shankland family originated in Bavaria, Germany. As hereditary surnames were adopted in that area beginning in the 12th century, people were often identified by the kind of work they did. Shankland is an occupational name for a cup bearer or server of wine. The name stems from the Old German word "scenko," which means "cup." Early Origins of the Shankland familyThe surname Shankland was first found in Bavaria, where this distinguished family established itself. Early History of the Shankland familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shankland research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1771, 1786, 1813, 1845 and 1885 are included under the topic Early Shankland History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Shankland Spelling VariationsIn 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 Shankland include Schenkel, Schenkell, Schenckel, Schaenkel, Schaenkell, Schanckel, Schankel, Schankell, Shankel, Shankell and many more. Early Notables of the Shankland familyAnother 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Shankland Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Shankland familyBetween the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries, German settlers arrived in North America by the thousands. Persecution based on religion and poverty were great motivators in this large-scale migration. So too was the opportunity for tenant farmers to own their own land. Ample land and opportunity awaited the settlers who went to such states as Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California, as well as Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Shankland or a variant listed above: Johannes Schenkel, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1731; Jacob Schenkel, who arrived in Philadelphia, at the age of 27; in 1735; Johan Shenkell, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1738.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Shankland (post 1700) | + |
- Lieutenant Colonel Robert Shankland (1887-1968), Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross during the First World War 1
- William Shankland Andrews (1858-1936), American Republican politician, Justice of New York Supreme Court 5th District, 1900-20; Judge of New York Court of Appeals, 1917-29; Delegate to New York convention to ratify 21st amendment, 1933 2
| Historic Events for the Shankland family | + |
North Sea Flood - Gerald J. Shankland, British traveler aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953
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Germany
Scotland
