Surname Scharpenseel - Meaning and Origin

Scharpenseel: What does the surname Scharpenseel mean?

The surname Scharpenseel is believed to originate from Germany and is a particularly unique surname. Its original meaning derived from the words "scharf" and "senzel", combining to form "a sharp corner or angle of a field". This likely originated with the landowning families of the area, as those with power were typically the ones with the most acres. Such landowners would have fortified the boundaries of their fields to protect their boundaries and the resulting cornerstones were known as "scharpenseel".

In the modern day, the surname Scharpenseel has evolved from its rural roots to be adopted into families from all over the world, stemming from Germany. Its unique and intriguing history often catches attention, prompting many conversations around its origin and meaning. While the exact etymology may remain a mystery, its elegant and intriguing ring are sure to entice curiosity and admiration. This unique surname can still be found throughout various regions of Germany and is believed to have traveled around the world with those of German descent.

Scharpenseel: Where does the name Scharpenseel come from?

The last name Scharpenseel is most common today in Germany, particularly in the eastern states. The surname is also found in small numbers in Austria, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic. It is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word ‘Scharpfenzul’, meaning ‘blacksmith’. The first recorded Scharpenseel in Germany was Conrad Scharpfenseele of Eppstein, a small town in the state of Hesse, in 1441.

The American branch of the Scharpenseel family began in the 1800s when two brothers, Jacob and Christian, emigrated from Germany and settled in Philadelphia. Records indicate that there are now Scharpenseels in multiple states across the United States, including Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Alabama and Florida.

Family members bearing the name Scharpenseel are typically found in the metal-working, engineering and construction industries, in keeping with the family’s original blacksmithing background. Additionally, the name still carries a slight association with musical performance or production, since Scharpenseel is the surname of a notable 19th century German organ builder who created several famous instruments.

Variations of the surname Scharpenseel

The Scharpenseel surname has variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variants of the surname include Scharpenseel, Scharpensee, Scharpenseele, Scharpenseele, Scharpenseely, Sharpenseele, Scharpenseele, Sharpensel, Scharpenseele, Scharpenseele, Sharpenselle, Sharpenselle, Scharpensiele, and Sharpenzelle.

The Scharpenseel surname is mostly found in the Netherlands and Belgium and originated from a family that came from the Rur valley area in western Germany.

The Scharpenseel spelling is also found in various records from the Netherlands from the 1500s onward.

In addition to Scharpenseel, another Dutch spelling is Scharpenseeles. The variation Scharpenseies is seen in Belgium and a less common spelling is Scharpenseele.

In the United States, the most common spellings of the Scharpenseel surname are Scharpenseele, Sharpenselle, and Sharpenzelle. In some cases, the spelled name may appear in records as Sharpsnel or Sharpless, which are both phonetic spellings of the Scharpenseel name.

In Germany, the Scharpenseele surname is spelled either Scharpenseele or Scharpenseele.

The Scharpenseel surname is also found in various records from France as Charpensuel, Sharpensel, Sharpenselle, and Sharpenzelle.

In England, the Scharpenseele surname is usually spelled Scharpenseele. The surname may also appear in records as Sharpensel, Sharpenselle, and Sharpeneseel.

In Scotland, the spelling of the Scharpenseele surname is usually Sharpensel or Sharpenselle.

In Denmark, the Scharpenseel name is usually spelled Scharpenseele.

In Sweden, the name is most commonly spelled Scharpenseele or Sharpenselle.

Famous people with the name Scharpenseel

• Ned Scharpenseel: An American actor and screenwriter who has been involved in both film and television.
• Hermann Scharpenseel: A German historian and author of several books on German and European history as well as on religion and culture.
• G. Arthur Scharpenseel: An American pastor and theologian who served for many years as the pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Westchester, Illinois.
• John Scharpenseel: An American businessman and philanthropist who was a founding member and president of the Grocery Manufacturers Association.
• Harvey E. Scharpenseel: An American chemist and professor of organic chemistry at the University of South Carolina.
• Stephen Scharpenseel: An American architect and urban planner who served as the Chief of Planning Architecture and Development for the city of Plainfield, New Jersey.
• Dwight Scharpenseel: An American banker and investment adviser who founded Scharpenseel & Associates in 1960.
• John Scharpenseel Jr.: The eldest son of John Scharpenseel Sr., and the chairman of Scharpenseel & Associates.
• Thomas Scharpenseel: An American pitcher who played in the Major League Baseball from 1937 to 1942.
• Anna Scharpenseel: An American painter and sculptor who specialized in abstract expressionism.

Other surnames

Scharpensell