| ![Show Contents]() Shortell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Shortell family name is thought to be of Norman origins. It comes from an early member of the family who was a stocky or short-necked person which was in turn derived from the Anglo-Saxon word scorkhals meaning a person with a short neck. 1 Early Origins of the Shortell familyThe surname Shortell was first found in Northumberland where they held a family seat from very early times being granted lands at Shotthaugh by William after the Conquest in 1066 A.D. Shorten is a variant of the well-known Shortall. (Woulfe) Early History of the Shortell familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shortell research. Another 146 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1290, 1326, 1503, 1505, 1507, 1509, 1535, 1639, 1641 and 1642 are included under the topic Early Shortell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Shortell Spelling VariationsEndless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Shorthalls, Shortals, Shortall, Shottall, Shottalls, Shortells, Shortell, Shorthill, Shotthaugh, Shotter and many more. Early Notables of the Shortell familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was Robert Shorton (died 1535), English divine, Archdeacon of Bath, one of the earliest scholars of Jesus College, Cambridge. He graduated M.A. in 1503, and was elected fellow of...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Shortell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Shortell family to Ireland
Some of the Shortell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 128 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Shortell migration to the United States | + |
To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Shortell or a variant listed above:
Shortell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Pierce Shortell who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1716
- Elizabeth Shortell and her husband settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1766
Shortell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Andrew Shortell, who arrived in Boston in 1804
- Andw Shortell, aged 21, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1804 2
- Andrew Shortell, aged 29, who landed in Maine in 1812 2
- Thomas Shortell, who landed in Arkansas in 1858 2
| Shortell migration to Canada | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Shortell Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century- Mary Shortell, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1837
- Mary Rallis Shortell, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1841
| Shortell migration to Australia | + |
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Shortell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century- Michael Shortell, aged 28, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Lord Raglan" 3
| Contemporary Notables of the name Shortell (post 1700) | + |
- Timothy Shortell, American sociologist, associate professor of sociology at the City University of New York
- Max Garrett Shortell (b. 1992), American football quarterback for Jacksonville State Gamecocks
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: Certavi et vici
Motto Translation: I have fought and conquered.
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
- 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)
- South Australian Register Friday February 7th, 1856. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Lord Raglan 1856. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/lordraglan1856.shtml
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Shortell migration to the United States 
Shortell migration to Canada 
Shortell migration to Australia 
England
Ireland
