Surname Schellack - Meaning and Origin

Schellack: What does the surname Schellack mean?

Schellack is an German surname derived from the German word schel, meaning ‘shell’. As such, the surname literally means “shell maker” or someone who worked with shells. This occupation likely referred to people in the shellfish trade who worked with the shells of crabs, oysters, clams, and other sea creatures. Additionally, the term could refer to people who made various decorative ornaments out of shells, such as jewelry or inlay pieces. It is possible that this surname emerged from people occupying either of these occupations in medieval Europe.

In some cases, the surname could have also described someone who managed barns full of straw in which chickens laid their eggs, noting that the straw was also referred to as “shells.” This was likely a common occupation in certain rural regions of Europe, which may explain the countrywide presence of the surname, especially within Germany.

Today, the surname Schellack is quite widespread in German-speaking countries, most notably in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. In the United States, the surname is far less common but is still present, likely thanks to German immigration during the 17th to 19th centuries. It is not clear why some bearers of the surname chose to settle in America, but it is likely that they were searching for both economic and religious freedom.

Schellack: Where does the name Schellack come from?

The last name Schellack is traditionally a German surname and is still fairly common in Germany today, particularly in the Northern regions of the country such as Brandenburg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Schleswig-Holstein and Berlin. In many cases, families bearing this surname originate from the small farming villages that dotted the countryside of medieval Germany.

The surname Schellack has spread throughout Europe since the influx of German immigrants, and is now also seen in parts of the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and even France. The surname is also found in the United States, where there are significant German-American populations.

The Schellack surname may have originated from one of a few sources. One possibility is that it is derived from "shellacker," which roughly translates to "brigadier" in old German. Alternatively, the name could have originated from "schil," which is an old German word for a boundary or border.

Finally, the surname could also have come from "schelling," a German word that refers to a stone roof. Given what we know about the surname's origins, it is likely that the Schellack family hails from Germany or one of its neighbouring countries.

Variations of the surname Schellack

The surname Schellack has various spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin. It originated from German-speaking areas in Europe and was originally spelled “Schellack”. It began to evolve and take on various spellings in different countries and those variations are still used today.

In Germany, the variant spellings include “Schellack”, “Schelllack”, “Schellacken” and “Schelleck”. In Austria, the variations include “Schalicke”, “Schellacke”, “Schellack” and “Schelllack”. In the United States, the spellings have been simplified to “Schellack”, “Shellack”, “Shellack and “Sacalick”. In other parts of the world, other spellings and variants of the name include “Scheliben”, “Schellak”, “Schelleck” and “Scalla”.

It is also important to note that many families who carried the Schellack name have changed it over the years to things like “Shellack” and “Schalick”. Therefore, it is possible that present-day descendants of the Schellack name carry one of these other versions.

In addition, there are also many other surnames of the same origin as Schellack, such as Schalicke, Schollack, Schellenbach, Schellenberg and Schaller. These surnames are usually variations of the root name “Schell” which translates to “shield” in German.

Overall, the surname Schellack has a variety of spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin that have been used in different countries and by different families. It is important to recognize these variations in order to effectively research the family history.

Famous people with the name Schellack

• John Schellack: John Schellack was a professional American baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals team, between 1963 and 1966.
• Jeffrey Schellack: Jeffrey Schellack is an American performing artist, actor, and DJ. He is a founding member of the theatric production company, The Brothers Grim, Specialty Acts, and Performing Arts.
• Max Schellack: Max Schellack was a German composer who wrote the opera, Die Marieghemheeren
• Giselle Schellack: Giselle Schellack is a Brazilian voice actress and dubbing director.
• Pamela Schellack: Pamela Schellack is an American author and editor, who has written a number of books and short stories, as well as articles for magazines and newspapers.
• Martin Schellack: Martin Schellack is a German sculptor and artist, known for his sculptures of animals and plants.
• Mike Schellack: Mike Schellack is an American artist who creates custom golf clubs and golf accessories.
• Joni Schellack: Joni Schellack is an American artist and illustrator who creates images that explore the intersection of memories, movement, and photography.

Other surnames

Schella