Hershel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Hershel

What does the name Hershel mean?

The roots of the distinguished German surname Hershel lie in Silesia. The name literally means "deer, hart," and is likely of occupational origin. The initial bearer of the name was probably a herdsman or a keeper of deer.

Early Origins of the Hershel family

The surname Hershel was first found in Silesia, where the name emerged in mediaeval times as one of the notable families of the region. 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.

Early History of the Hershel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hershel research. Another 134 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1791, 1808, 1818, 1831, 1869, 1888 and 1896 are included under the topic Early Hershel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hershel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Hirsch, Hirsche, Hirschel, Hirsh, Hersch, Herschel and many more.

Early Notables of the Hershel family

Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hershel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hershel family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Joseph Hirsch, who came to Philadelphia in 1731; as did Peter Hirsch in the same year, as well as Simon Hirsch in 1740 and Martin Hirsch in 1749; Adolph Hirsch, who came to Texas in 1859.

Contemporary Notables of the name Hershel (post 1700) +

Hershel Woodrow "Woody" Williams (1923-2022), United States Marine Corps warrant officer and United States Department of Veterans Affairs veterans service representative who received the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II
Hershel Shanks (1930-2021), American founder and long-time editor of the Biblical Archaeology Review
Hershel Friday (1922-1994), American lawyer, once considered by Richard Nixon to be appointed to the United States Supreme Court
Hershel Jacobs (1940-2015), American light heavyweight boxing contender
Hershel McGriff (b. 1927), American NASCAR car race driver
Hershel Wayne Gober (b. 1936), acting United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) on two occasions during the administration of Bill Clinton
Hershel Herbert Cudd (1912-1992), American former director of the Georgia Institute of Technology's Engineering Experiment Station and later president of Amoco Chemical Company