Snellman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The name Snellman is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was name for a brisk or active person. Snellman is a nickname surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Nicknames form a broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, and can refer directly or indirectly to one's personality, physical attributes, mannerisms, or even their habits of dress. This surname comes from the Old English word smell, which means quick or lively or a descendant of Snell (strong, smart). 1

Early Origins of the Snellman family

The surname Snellman was first found in Devon and Cornwall. 2 However, nicknames typically are found throughout ancient England, but in this case, the name was "in use before the Conquest." 3

By example, Johannes filius Snel was found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1196 and Alexander filius Snell was listed in the Assize Rolls for Yorkshire in 1219, but William Snel was a Templar in Kent in 1185 and Edwinus Snell was listed in the Feet of Fines for Norfolk in 1195. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Snel in Derbyshire and William Snell in Oxfordshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes Snell, Willelmus Snell and Ricardus Snell as all holding lands there at that time. 5

Further to the north in Scotland, William Snelle was master of the ship Seinte Marie of Dundee in 1390, William Snell, presbyter Glasguensis, was a notary public in 1449 and Schire William Snell, chaplain, was burgess of Prestwick in 1470. 6

"The Cornish Snells are represented in the district of Liskeard. Snel was a name found in Oxfordshire, Derbyshire, and Shropshire in the 13th century." 2

Early History of the Snellman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Snellman research. Another 154 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1623, 1629, 1638, 1679, 1685, 1694, 1700, 1701, 1702, 1708 and 1717 are included under the topic Early Snellman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Snellman Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Snellman have been found, including Snell, Snel and others.

Early Notables of the Snellman family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir John Snell (1629-1679), Scottish-born, son of Andrew Snell, smith at McCalanstone in the parish of Colmonell, Ayrshire, founder of the Snell Exhibitions at the University of...
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Snellman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Snellman family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become powerful new nations. Among early immigrants of the Snellman surname to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were: Major and Mrs. Elizabeth Snell who settled in New York State in 1774; with their children Elizabeth, and Richard; Mary Snell settled in Barbados in 1682 with her husband.

Contemporary Notables of the name Snellman (post 1700) +

Major-General Aarne Snellman (1894-1942), Finnish General Officer Commanding 17th Division (1941-1942) 7

The Snellman 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: In cruce victoria
Motto Translation: Victorious in the Cross.

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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)
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, October 5) Aarne Snellman. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Snellman/Aarne/Finland.html