Schenkel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The Schenkel family originated in Bavaria, Germany. As hereditary surnames were adopted in that area beginning in the 12th century, people were often identified by the kind of work they did. Schenkel is an occupational name for a cup bearer or server of wine. The name stems from the Old German word "scenko," which means "cup."

Early Origins of the Schenkel family

The surname Schenkel was first found in Bavaria, where this distinguished family established itself.

Early History of the Schenkel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Schenkel research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1771, 1786, 1813, 1845 and 1885 are included under the topic Early Schenkel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Schenkel 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 Schenkel include Schenkel, Schenkell, Schenckel, Schaenkel, Schaenkell, Schanckel, Schankel, Schankell, Shankel, Shankell and many more.

Early Notables of the Schenkel family

Prominent among members of the name Schenkel in this period include

Daniel Schenkel (1813-1885), a German Protestant theologian, as well as one of the founders of the German Protestant Union and the author of "Das Wesen des Protestantismus" (1845-51), among other work...

Schenkel migration to the United States +

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 Schenkel or a variant listed above:

Schenkel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Anna Eva Schenkel, who arrived in America in 1708 1
Jonas Schenkel, who arrived in New York, NY in 1709 1
Johannes Schenkel, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1731 1
Cleovea Schenkel, aged 30, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1735 1
Jacob Schenkel, who arrived in Philadelphia, at the age of 27, in 1735
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Schenkel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Margarethe Schenkel, aged 24, who landed in New York in 1875 1
Marie Schenkel, aged 4, who arrived in New York in 1875 1
Catherina Schenkel, who landed in New York in 1875 1
Catherina and Jacob Schenkel, who arrived in New York in 1875
Margarethe Schenkel, aged 24, who settled in New York in 1875

Schenkel migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Schenkel Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mrs. Jacob Schenkel, who sailed to Nova Scotia in 1755 with her daughter Elizabeth
Mrs. Jacob Schenkel, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1755

Contemporary Notables of the name Schenkel (post 1700) +

Allan von Schenkel (b. 1975), American double bassist, performance artist, music promoter, and composer
Cal Schenkel (b. 1947), American artist specialising in album cover design
Christopher Eugene "Chris" Schenkel (1923-2005), American sportscaster
Andrea Maria Schenkel (b. 1962), German writer
Carl Schenkel, German movie director
Lukas Schenkel (b. 1984), Swiss football player
Reto Schenkel (b. 1988), Swiss sprinter
Daniel Schenkel (1813-1885), Swiss Protestant theologian
Danny Schenkel (b. 1978), Dutch footballer

Citations +

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)