Show ContentsShraegen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Bavaria, one of the oldest and largest of the German states, is the birthplace of the Shraegen family. After the 12th century, hereditary surnames were adopted according to fairly general rules. Names derived from occupations were particularly common in this region. Shraegen is an occupational surname for person who was associated with the building of cross-legged stands and tables. In its medieval context, the word "schrage" literally meant "crooked" or "crossed," and it may have been given to those whose profession it was to make and sell tables and stands of this description.

Early Origins of the Shraegen family

The surname Shraegen was first found in Bavaria, where the family rose to prominence early in the mediaeval era. From the 13th century the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the nation. Individual bearers of this name first mentioned in ancient chronicles include Egelolf Schrage of Wuerttemberg (c.1273,) Marquard Schrage of Luebeck (c.1347,) and one "Schraeglin" of Esslingen (c.1359).

Early History of the Shraegen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shraegen research. Another 220 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1777, 1791, 1797, 1806, 1815 and 1874 are included under the topic Early Shraegen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shraegen Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Shraegen include Schrage, Schragel, Schrag, Schrager, Schrege, Schregel, Schraegl, Schreg, Schreger, Schraege, Schraegel, Schraeg, Schraeger, Schragl, Schragle, Schregl, Schregle, Schraeglin, Schreglin, Schraegen, Schregen and many more.

Early Notables of the Shraegen family

More information is included under the topic Early Shraegen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Shraegen family

Thousands of German settlers came to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. The hardships of the long voyage were balanced by the opportunity to escape poverty and religious persecution. The descendents of these settlers still populate the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also live in Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Shraegen or a variant listed above: Johan Schrage, who settled in Germantown, Pennsylvania in 1693 and Johannes Schrag, who came to Pennsylvania in 1766. A large group of interrelated Swiss Mennonite families, including Andreas, Froni, Franz, and Jacob Schrag came from Russia to the port of New York in 1874. Andreas Schrager emigrated to England and then possibly America in 1709.



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