Shankel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Germany

Etymology of Shankel

The Shankel 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. Shankel 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 Shankel family

Early History of the Shankel family

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

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

Early Notables of the Shankel family

Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Shankel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Shankel family

The great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from Bavaria who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. For many Bavarian tenant farmers, the chance to own their own land was a major incentive. So the widespread colonization of the United States began in 1650, when many immigrants from Germany settled in pockets in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. In Canada, German settlement centered in Ontario and the prairie Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were: Johannes Schenkel, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1731; Jacob Schenkel, who arrived in Philadelphia, at the age of 27; in 1735; Johan Shenkell, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1738.