Surname Schell - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling the Threads of Time: An Insight into the Schell Family Heritage through DNA Testing
The results of the iGENEA DNA test have been a meaningful journey into my ancestral past, revealing surprising elements about the Schell family heritage. From discovering my strong connection to the Celtic tribes to understanding the deep Jewish roots, the test has reshaped my perception of my family identity.
X. Schell
read moreSchell: What does the surname Schell mean?
The surname Schell is of German origin and primarily signifies a person who was a loud or boisterous individual, much like a "clamor" or "noise". It derives from the Middle High German word "schel", meaning "loud" or "noisy". In some cases, it might also be a professional name for a bell-ringer or a bell maker. Therefore, it's classified as a descriptive surname, which were developed during the Middle Ages to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name. Over time, the family name Schell might have evolved in spelling and even meaning, adapting to the regional dialects and cultural influences of the areas where families carrying the surname settled. It is worth noting that surnames had a practical purpose of distinguishing people for taxation purposes, which is why they often reference an occupation, personal trait, or geographical location.
Order DNA origin analysisSchell: Where does the name Schell come from?
The last name Schell is most commonly found in German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It also appears in smaller numbers in other countries with people of German descent, such as the United States and Canada.
In the United States, the name Schell is particularly common in the Midwest and Northeast regions of the country. Pennsylvania has the highest concentration of people with the last name Schell, followed by New Jersey and Ohio. The most prevalent Schell surnames can also be found in states such as Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota.
In Germany, the last name Schell is mostly concentrated in the south of the country, with high concentrations in Bavaria. There are also a few isolated communities of Schells in the northern parts of Germany, such as Lower Saxony and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
The last name Schell is derived from an old German word meaning “protector”. This could be reference to a person who protected something important, such as a family or a town. People with this last name may also have originated from the small town of Schellnhausen in Bavaria.
In modern times, the last name Schell is a symbol of German heritage. It is still common among people of German descent and is maintained through the generations.
Variations of the surname Schell
The surname Schell is of German origin, coming from the German word Schlüssel, meaning "key"; it's a topographical name for someone who lived near a gate or door in a walled city.
Variations and spellings of the name include Schall, Scheel, Scheely, Schehl, Schehle, Schellhase, Schellhous, Schellin, Schelling, Schellinger, Schellink, Schells, Schellweiler, Shell, Shelle, Shelly, Schliessmann, Schleisman, and Schlessman. Some of these names may be anglicized variants of Schell, but some of them are derived from other German surnames.
The Schell surname is found throughout Germany, but is especially common in the South. It is also found in Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, and several other Eastern European countries.
The name has been anglicized in many countries and has many spelling variations. In the United States, Schell is the most common spelling, but other spellings include Shell, Shelly, and Shelle.
In addition to all these variants and spellings, Schell is also the basis for many other surnames. Several surnames derived from Schell include Schaller, Schulman, Schelman, Schulte, Schueler, Schlensker, and Schulze. Moreover, some of these names are associated with specific regions, such as the German prefix “Schel” and the French word “sceul”, both of which evolved from the name Schell.
Therefore, while the name Schell may be spelled and pronounced slightly differently in different countries, its origin and history remain the same.
Famous people with the name Schell
- Maximilian Schell: A noted Austrian-Swiss actor, director and producer. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the 1961 film Judgment at Nuremberg.
- Maria Schell: An Austrian-Swiss actress who won Best Actress award at Cannes Film Festival (1955) and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress (1956).
- Harald Schell: A German film and television actor best known for his role as a White Cap in the Nine Part TV Mini-Series, Foxes.
- Jonathan Schell: An American journalist, author and peace activist. He wrote many books in support of an end to war, including The Fate of the Earth and The Unconquerable World.
- Albert Schell: An American actor and radio host, best known for his role in the 1958 film, Guns of the Timberland.
- Jill Schell: An American producer, writer, and director best known for producing and directing the award-winning documentary, Return to El Salvador.
- Herbert von Schell: A German general and tank warfare expert during World War II. He was a notable recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
- Herbert Schell: An American comedian, actor, and writer. He starred in several movies in the 1980s and was also a writer for popular US television shows including The Office, Glee, and Saturday Night Live.
- Oscar Schell: An Australian architect and engineer who designed several important buildings including the Sydney Opera House.
- Matthew Schell: An American actor and stuntman, best known for his work on films such as Star Trek Into Darkness and Jurassic World.