Surname Scheel - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering Cultural and Historical Roots With iGENEA DNA Test: An Enlightening Journey into the Scheel Surname
Recently taking the iGENEA DNA test was a glimpse into the past, providing a rich tapestry of history, geography, and culture linked to my surname, Scheel. The test helped me trace my lineage back to Northern Germany with a fascinating discovery that Scheel originates from the Middle Low German word "schel," denoting someone known for their wit and humor. The journey through my ancestral lineage has unveiled a connection to agriculture, law foundations in communities, and participation in maritime trade links of the Hanseatic League.
K. Scheel
read moreScheel: What does the surname Scheel mean?
The last name Scheel is of German origin and is derived from the Old German word for 'shale', which means 'protector'. The name is associated with the ancient clan of the Scheel, who were believed to be descendants of a powerful medieval prince. This prince believed that his large family was chosen to defend the region from outsiders, and the name Scheel originated from this belief.
Today, the name Scheel is still common in many parts of Europe, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. It is also found in the United States, where its popularity has grown since the early 1900s.
The name Scheel also carries a strong sense of pride and honor. As a protector, the name is associated with strength, courage, and bravery. The name can be seen as a symbol of protection and loyalty, values which can inspire the pride of a family of Scheels for generations to come.
The name Scheel is a unique and beautiful surname, one with a long and noble history that against impossible odds, still stands strong to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisScheel: Where does the name Scheel come from?
The last name Scheel is most commonly found today in Germany and Northern Europe. It is one of the oldest recorded surnames in Germany, originating in the 13th century when it was first recorded under its various spellings. The Scheel surname is most commonly found in the northern German states of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein as well as in Bavaria and Hamburg in the south. It is also commonly found in Northern Europe, especially Denmark and Sweden, and to a lesser extent in Finland, Austria, and the Netherlands.
It’s not uncommon to find Scheel descendants in the United States and Canada, especially in German communities, as people with this last name emigrated to the New World in past centuries. In recent years, Scheel families have also settled in Australia and New Zealand.
The origin of this surname is likely from the Middle High German “schwele” or “schweller,” for “peasant.” Alternatively, it might be a variant of the German term “chêrel,” a word that describes somebody who is bright and strong-willed. It’s also possible that the name evolved from personal names beginning with “schil” or “skerl,” occupational terms that described people who worked with shears, scissors, shearlings, and the like.
Today, if you happen to meet someone with the last name Scheel, there's a good chance they have ancestral ties to the German-speaking regions of Europe.
Variations of the surname Scheel
The Scheel surname is a German last name, and is an occupational surname meaning “shoemaker” or “tanner”. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Schädel, Scheuels, Schueles, Schuells, Schuhles, Schuels, Schlohles, Schoelles, Scolyles, Schoehles, Sheels, Sheeles, Schölle, Sheele, Schelle, Schölle, Skhölle, and Schuylle.
Variants of the Scheel spelling serve as additional surnames. For example, Scheele, Scheeler, Schaele, and Schaler are all related in this way.
The surname originated from the German word schädel, meaning “head”. This hint of the origin of the name could be seen in the spelling Scheel/Schäel, a variant of the name.
Spellings of the name outside of Germany may differ, depending on the region and language. In Danish, Scheel is spelled Skeel, Skiel, or Skjel. Similarly, in Dutch, Scheel is spelled Schiel, Schaal, or Schuil. Lastly, in other German-speaking countries, the Spelling may be Scheele, Scheeler, Schaele, or Schaler.
Common alternative surname spellings can shed light on a family’s history, as they often indicate geographic location or language of origin. In the case of the Scheel surname, the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin may help provide clues to a family’s ancestry.
Famous people with the name Scheel
- Peter Scheel: Danish entrepreneur and founder of PS Ingénierie and Freemind Innovation
- Jens Otto Krag: Danish social democratic politician and Prime Minister of Denmark from 1962 to 1968
- Johannes Michael Scheel: German equestrian show jumping rider
- Heinrich Scheel: German businessman and entrepreneur
- Helmut Scheel: German singer, songwriter and producer
- Winrich Wilhelm Scheel: German diplomat and former Foreign Minister of Germany
- Otto Scheel: American poet and novelist
- Guntram Scheel: German writer and textile designer
- Mila Scheel: German actress, writer and producer
- Heidi Scheel: German former rhythmic gymnast and three-time Olympic silver medalist