Surname Schelshorn - Meaning and Origin
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Schelshorn: What does the surname Schelshorn mean?
The last name Schelshorn is of German origin and is an occupational surname. It was originally derived from the Middle High German words "schil" and "horn," which mean "shield" and "horn," respectively. Put together, the name literally means "horn of a shield," which likely refers to the bearing of heraldic shields in processions or in battle. Less literal but historically accurate interpretations of the name suggest that it also refers to a person who crafted or sold horns used in battle or during ceremonies.
More generally, Schelshorn has come to refer to a surname associated with protection and honor. Such family names were often given to a person with a reputation for honor and courage in battle or who served in an office of public honour such as a Justice of the Peace.
The name is a common one in modern Germany, but is not especially common outside of that country. Although the surname is believed to originate from medieval Germany, its current spelling has likely changed over time due to various historical influences. Some cases have been found of it appearing as "Schelshorn" as early as the 16th century.
Order DNA origin analysisSchelshorn: Where does the name Schelshorn come from?
The last name Schelshorn can be found throughout the United States and many areas of Europe, though it is most commonly seen in Germany. According to surname distribution research, the name is highly concentrated in the western state of North-Rhine Westphalia, being found in greatest concentration in the city of Duesseldorf.
The Schelshorn lineage is deeply rooted in German history; records suggest the name can be traced back to the year 1330, when a family of the same name were listed in documents related to the city of Duisburg. The meaning of the name is widely accepted to mean ‘Sheltered Place’.
Widely dispersed, there are small pockets of Schelshorns around the world, including in countries like Estonia, Canada and Australia. Though the name is far from as popular as it was hundreds of years ago, it remains a prominent name in many countries.
Today, the name Schelshorn is more likely to be found in a registry of ancestors than in modern society, but it is still found in the majority of Western cultures. While the name may no longer carry the same significance or weight it once did, Schelshorn remains a significant part of European history, and the heritage of many families today.
Variations of the surname Schelshorn
The surname Schelshorn is originally of German origin and is believed to be locational, derived from a place where such a family resided in the past. Variations in spelling may have been derived from the origin of the family, the locality or through transcription errors.
Common variants of Schelshorn, include Schelshorst, Schleshorn, Shelshen, Shelsher, Schleyshorn, Shellhorn, Shelshorn, Shillshorn and Shelshurst.
The surname may also have been adopted in other forms due to migration or immigration throughout different regions, notations, and cultures. These forms may include Scheshorn, Scheleschorn, Scholschorn, Shell, Shellsher, Sheilsher, Shelhorst, Schleischorn or Schleshorn.
It should also be noted that the surname Schelshorn may appear as a variation of the more commonly found surnames Schulist, Scholes, Scholl and Schulz. In addition, there are other more modern variations of Schelshorn such as Shleshorn, Shelshorn and Schellshorn.
Upon researching further, it appears that the surname Schelshorn is not as common as other German surnames, however, it appears in numerous records around the globe, indicating that the surname has been in use for centuries across different countries, people, and cultures.
Famous people with the name Schelshorn
- Richard Schelshorn: an American Naval Academy graduate and Vietnam War veteran, later the founder of a tutoring agency.
- Rolf Schelshorn: an accomplished German organist and organ builder.
- Joseph Schelshorn: an American lawyer and former partner at a prominent Chicago law firm.
- Marcus Schelshorn: an American film director, screenwriter and producer.
- Carsten Schelshorn: a German-born sculptor, currently residing in France.
- Erich Schelshorn: a German philologist and translator who is best known for his work on the collected works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
- Henrik Schelshorn: an Austrian metals and jewelry designer.
- Robert Schelshorn: an American trumpet player, composer and arranger.
- Gustav Schelshorn: a 19th century German naturalist and professor of zoology.
- Frank Schelshorn: an American sculptor and gallery owner.