Surname Schilhansl - Meaning and Origin

Schilhansl: What does the surname Schilhansl mean?

The last name Schilhansl is of German origin and is thought to be descendents of a ruling Erbstrasse family. Erbstrasse families were landholders and officers of the medieval nobility, as the name Schilhansl suggests.

The literal interpretation of the name Schilhansl is “shield hansel,” or “shield holder.” This could be an indication that the family originally had a military background, or that they were responsible for the protection of those under them.

The family may have originally derived their wealth from their agricultural holdings, their involvement in trade, or from providing a service to a high-ranking member of the nobility. The Schilhansl family were most likely seen as influential and powerful within the county or town where they lived.

The coat of arms of the Schilhansl family is a red shield with gold lions, holding a gold cross. This could indicate that the family was associated with a church or religious office in addition to their work on farms and in trade.

Most likely, the Schilhansls were respected landowners and merchants in their area, with ties to the aristocracy and nobility. The family was likely among the elite in their region during the Middle Ages, with their name, which means “shield holder,” living on to this day.

Schilhansl: Where does the name Schilhansl come from?

The last name Schilhansl is a relatively uncommon name, but can be found today in Germany, Luxembourg, and parts of the United States.

In Germany, the Schilhansl family name is mainly found around the state of Bavaria, with some branches appearing in other areas as well. The highest concentrations are typically around the cities of Munich, Nuremberg, and Augsburg, with a few cases as far south as the Southern Palatinate region.

In Luxembourg, the Schilhansl surname is mainly found in areas near the northern border with Belgium and Germany, such as the cities of Diekirch and Grevenmacher.

In the United States, Schilhansl families can be found in various parts of the country. Of particular note is the concentration of Schilhansl families in the state of Wisconsin, where they have been present since at least the late 19th century. Other states with a notable Schilhansl presence include New York, Illinois, California, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota.

The majority of the Schilhansl families in the United States have their roots in the German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, from where they emigrated in the 19th and 20th centuries in search of economic and political stability.

Today, the Schilhansl family name is shared by hundreds of people around the world, from small towns in Germany to bustling cities in the United States.

Variations of the surname Schilhansl

The surname Schilhansl has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is Shillhansl, while other spellings and surnames of the same origin include Schilhansel, Schillhansel, Schillhansl, Schillehansl, Shillhansen, Shillehans, Shillehansel and Shillehansl.

The original Schilhansl surname stems from the German word “schill,” which means protector or shield, and its variations likely arose as different spellings of the same name as it evolved over time. The surname is listed especially in Prussian and Saxon regions of Germany, as well as parts of Austria.

Immigrants with the Schilhansl surname are known to have settled in the United States as early as the 1840s. Many of these immigrants, or their children, eventually changed the spelling of their surnames to better assimilate into the larger American communities in which they were living.

The majority of Schilhansl families in the US today are located in Wisconsin, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Whether spelled Schilhansl, Shillhansl or any of its variants, this surname is a testament to the hard work and determination of the immigrants who adopted it. It is a reminder of their courage and of the new lives that were created on American soil.

Famous people with the name Schilhansl

• Jens Schilhansl: German professional ice hockey player
• Angelika Schilhansl: German cross-country skier
• Marianne Schilhansl: Former Austrian Cross-country skier and world champion
• Torsten Schilhansl: German alpine skier
• Paolo Schilhansl: Brazilian-born former Italian footballer
• Wilfried Schilhansl: German slalom canoeist
• Hans-Georg Schilhansl: German physicist
• Dietlinde Schilhansl: German stage and film actress
• Robert Schilhansl: Austrian footballer
• Paul Schilhansl: Austrian playwright and cabaret artist

Other surnames

Schilhansel