Surname Schelinsky - Meaning and Origin

Schelinsky: What does the surname Schelinsky mean?

The last name Schelinsky is believed to be of German origin, derived from a term meaning ‘woodpecker’. The surname is thought to have originated as an occupational name, from a person who was engaged in the practice of birdcage making, which was a popular hobby among the European nobility. The practice entailed creating a wooden structure, and attaching a metal tube with a wooden base as a perch and door for safe housing and feeding of small birds.

The practice of caged birdkeeping was popularized during the 13th and 14th centuries and began to spread to other European countries as more people became involved in the hobby. As such, it is likely that the Schelinsky surname was derived from a leader or master of birdcage making, as the word 'schelinsky' translates directly to mean ‘woodpecker’.

The term 'woodpecker' is thought to have been an important term in trade as it- along with the practice of birdcage crafting- spread across Europe and was adopted as the surname of those involved in this trade. As birdcage makers were in high demand during this period, it’s likely that it was more than just a hobby, and the Schelinsky family became associated with the craft.

The Schelinsky surname is still seen in some parts of Europe today, and continues to be associated with birdcaging and craftsmanship.

Schelinsky: Where does the name Schelinsky come from?

The surname Schelinsky is most commonly found in Germany today. Migration has seen the surname spread throughout Europe, with smaller numbers also found in the United States and Canada.

Although its origins are unknown, the name is most likely of Germanic or Slavic origin and is connected to the German word “schein” which means “shining” or “glimmer”.

According to the website Ancestry.com, the surname is mainly distributed between northern Germany and southern Poland. In per capita terms, it is most commonly found in the southeastern German region of Thuringia, followed by Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Berlin.

Outside of Germany, the surname is most common in Austria, Poland, the Netherlands, Canada, France, Belarus, and the United States. It is also frequently encountered in the Baltic countries, Slovenia and Slovakia.

The surname is often written in various forms, including Shelin, Sheline, Shelinskij, Schelinski, and Schelinskyy. Regardless of spelling, it is still a family name of German origin; however, it has been adapted to fit the different languages spoken in the countries where it has become more widely distributed.

Variations of the surname Schelinsky

The surname Schelinsky is a Germanic patronymic surname that likely has its roots in the Middle High German word 'schelle', meaning “clever” or “fast-footed”, thus connoting the person bearing the name as being of a somewhat creative and agile mentality. Variations of the surname Schelinsky include Schellinske, Schellinski, Schellinck, Shelinsky, Shellinsky and Shellinske.

The Schelinsky surname in its various forms is widely found among people descended from the countries of Prussia, Estonia, Latvia, Germany, and the Netherlands. One very early example of this name is Andreas Schelinsky, a councillor in the German city of Guben, recorded in the late 16th century.

The Estonian variations of the name are Shelinske and Shellinske. People bearing the Schelinsky name migrated to the United States in the 19th century and today can be found among the Amish population in Pennsylvania. The Czechoslovakian variation of the Schelinsky surname is Schellinski.

In Poland the spelling of the name is Shellinsky, while the Prussian variation of the surname is Schellinck. Variations of this name can also be found among Dutch populations, spelled as Shelinski and Schillinsky.

The variations of the surname Schelinsky reach far and wide, with many variations found among different countries and regions as people bearing the surname have migrated and spread out over time. Nevertheless, the origins of the surname remain the same and with it a shared heritage and bond.

Famous people with the name Schelinsky

• Martin Schelinksy: German politician and a former member of the German Bundestag.
• Frank E. Schelinsky: American optometrist who invented the Schelinsky retinoscope and the Schelinsky lenses.
• Julius von Schelinsky: Bohemian/Czech composer and conductor in the early twentieth century.
• Wilhelm Schelinsky: German people's lawyer known for his work in the field of human rights.
• Terry Schelinsky: German/Bulgarian sculptor, known for his works in stainless steel, bronze and granite.
• Fritz Schelinsky: German pianist, arranger, composer and teacher.
• Julius Schelinsky: German former professional footballer.
• Lieselotte Schelinsky: German composer.
• Karl Schelinsky: German civil engineer, mathematician and professor of technical mechanics at the Leipzig, Germany.

Other surnames

Schelinski