Schmell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The surname Schmell 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. Schmell 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 Schmell family

The surname Schmell 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 Schmell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Schmell 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 Schmell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Schmell 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 Schmell include Schell, Schelle, Schelling, Scheller and others.

Early Notables of the Schmell family

Notables of the period with the name Schmell 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 Schmell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Schmell migration to the United States +

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:

Schmell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Johann Adam Schmell, who arrived in America in 1736 1
Nicholas Schmell, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1739 1
Joh Adam Schmell, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1739 1

Schmell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Maria Schmell, aged 59, who arrived in America, in 1893

Schmell Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Sara Schmell, aged 16, who arrived in America, in 1903
Andreas Schmell, aged 22, who arrived in America from Zyzarov, Hungary, in 1908
Arthur Schmell, aged 16, who arrived in America from Lutherbach, Germany, in 1914
Georges Schmell, aged 17, who arrived in America, in 1922

Contemporary Notables of the name Schmell (post 1700) +

Christoph Schmell, German football midfielder

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)