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Schermerhorn History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

Schermerhorn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The German surname Schermerhorn emerged in the lands that formed the powerful German state of Prussia, which at one time was an immense German territory that stretched from France and the Low Countries to the Baltic sea and Poland. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the German territories were inhabited by a variety of Barbarian tribes. The borders of the Barbarian kingdoms changed frequently, but the region that became known as Prussia was roughly divided between the areas of Brandenburg-Prussia, West Prussia, and East Prussia. Brandenburg-Prussia was essentially the birthplace of modern Germany. By the 19th century, Brandenburg-Prussia had incorporated East Prussia, West Prussia and many other German territories. Moreover, in the late 19th century, it led the German states in German Unification.

Early Origins of the Schermerhorn family

The surname Schermerhorn was first found in Prussia, where this family name became a prominent contributor to the development of the many regions within Prussia in the Middle Ages. 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 Prussian nation.

Early History of the Schermerhorn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Schermerhorn research. Another 163 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1390, 1396, 1623, 1686, 1783, 1825, 1829, 1874 and 1893 are included under the topic Early Schermerhorn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Schermerhorn 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 Schermerhorn include Schirrmann, Schirmann, Schirrman, Schuermann, Schurmann, Schurman, Scherman, Sherman (English), Schirmer and many more.

Early Notables of the Schermerhorn family

Notable figures of the time with the name Schermerhorn were David Schirmer (1623-1686), a German lyric poet and librarian, who also used the pseudonyms Der Bestimmende, Der Beschirmende and DiSander; Gustav Schirmer (1829-1893), who founded the publishing firm...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Schermerhorn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Schermerhorn Ranking

In the United States, the name Schermerhorn is the 9,502^nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Schermerhorn migration to the United States +

Prussia played an extremely influential role in shaping modern German history. It remained a part of Germany until after the Second World War. Prussia was divided among the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany. Many Prussians became residents of these new countries after the War, and many migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly to Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Schermerhorn were

Schermerhorn Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Jacob Schermerhorn, who landed in New Netherland(s) in 1609-1664 2
Jacob Janse Schermerhorn, who landed in Albany, NY in 1636 2
Jacob Jansen Schermerhorn, who arrived in New York in 1643-1645 2

Schermerhorn Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

H Schermerhorn, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 2
Mrs. W C Schermerhorn, who arrived in New York in 1852 2

Schermerhorn migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Schermerhorn Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Abraham Schermerhorn U.E. who settled in Ernest Town [Ernestown], Lennox & Addington, Ontario c. 1784 3
Mr. John Schermerhorn U.E. who settled in Ernest Town [Ernestown], Lennox & Addington, Ontario c. 1784 3
Mr. William Schermerhorn U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 3
Mr. William Schermerhorn U.E. who settled in Fredericksburgh [Greater Napanee], Ontario c. 1786 he served in the King's Rangers 3

Schermerhorn Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Daniel Schermerhorn, who landed in Canada in 1830
Peter Brandow Schermerhorn, who landed in Canada in 1830

Contemporary Notables of the name Schermerhorn (post 1700) +

John Freeman Schermerhorn (1786-1851), American pastor, Andrew Jackson appointed him Indian Commissioner in 1832
Simon Jacob Schermerhorn (1827-1901), American politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York (1893-1895)
Kenneth Dewitt Schermerhorn (1929-2005), American composer and orchestra conductor, best known for his work with the Nashville Symphony, eponym of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Eric Schermerhorn (b. 1961), American guitarist and composer who has performed with Iggy Pop and David Bowie
George Dwight Schermerhorn (1886-1954), American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Presidential Elector for Michigan, 1928; Candidate for Michigan State Senate 10th District, 1932 4
Edgar Backus Schermerhorn (1851-1923), American politician, Member of Kansas State House of Representatives, 1903-05; Chairman, Kansas Board of Control, 1905-11 4
Cornelius I. Schermerhorn, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Rensselaer County, 1808-11, 1818 4
Barth W. Schermerhorn, American politician, Member of Michigan State House of Representatives from Cass County 1st District, 1857-58 4
B. B. Schermerhorn, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Michigan National Democratic State Central Committee, 1899 4
Abraham Maus Schermerhorn (1791-1855), American politician, Mayor of Rochester, New York, 1837; Member of New York State Assembly from Monroe County 2nd District, 1848 4
... (Another 14 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Schermerhorn family +

RMS Titanic

Caroline Webster "Lina" Schermerhorn (1830-1908), American prominent socialite who married into the Astors becoming known as "Mrs. Astor," the wife of William Backhouse Astor, Jr., their son was lost on the RMS Titanic 5

The Schermerhorn 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: Felix sua sorte contentus
Motto Translation: Happy, contented with his lot

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html