Show ContentsSchellig History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Schellig is a Westphalian-German nickname. Such surnames were very common in Westphalia. They were adapted from traditional eke-names, or added names, that described physical characteristics of their bearers. Schellig is a hereditary surname for a person who was either wild or clamorous. The name was originally derived from the German word "schel," which means "noisy" or "loud."

Early Origins of the Schellig family

The surname Schellig was first found in Westphalia, where the name emerged in mediaeval times as one of the notable families of the region. From the 13th century on the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the German nation. As early as 1526 they had their seat at the manor Schellenberg near Essen.

Early History of the Schellig family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Schellig research. Another 201 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1510, 1562, 1620, 1648, 1680, 1701, 1763, 1774, 1775, 1808, 1809 and 1854 are included under the topic Early Schellig History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Schellig Spelling Variations

In 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 Schellig include Schell, Schelle, Schelling, Scheller and others.

Early Notables of the Schellig family

Notables of the period with the name Schellig were Johann Heinrich Schmelzer (ca. 1620-1680), an Austrian composer and violinist ; Johann Schelle (1648-1701), a German Baroque composer; Friedrich Wilhelm von Schelling (1775-1854, ennobled...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Schellig Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Schellig family

For many Germans, emigration to North America was an inviting alternative to the trials of life in the old country. From the mid-17th into the present century, thousands of Germans migrated across the Atlantic. They capitalized on the chance to escape poverty and persecution, and to own their own land. After 1650, Germans settled throughout the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also landed in Canada, settling in Ontario or father west on the rich land of the prairies. Among them: Peter Schell, who arrived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1719; Johannes Schell came to Philadelphia in 1732; as well as Jacob Philipp Schell in 1739; and Carl Schell in 1751.



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