Map of Germany showing where the Schellhorn arms are recorded
The Schellhorn arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1765.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Schellhorn arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Schellhorn Family in Germany
The surname Schellhorn is a topographical name that originated in the southern German regions, specifically within the historic borders of Bavaria. The name is composed of two Middle High German words: *schellen*, which means to ring or resound, and *horn*, which refers to a protruding piece of land or a mountain peak. Historically, this suggests that the earliest members of the family likely lived near a prominent, resonant, or echoing hillside. By the mid-18th century, records confirm that the family was well-established in the Bavarian landscape. During this era, families often identified themselves by the unique features of their local geography, and the name Schellhorn served as a clear marker of their connection to the rugged terrain of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Schell and Horn
A resonant sound or bell and a pointed animal horn.
This name
SchellhornLikely a topographic name for someone living near a noisy, horn-shaped mountain peak.
also spelled
Schelhorne
Shelhorn
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Kurbayern Hofkammer: Steuer- und Katasterwesen, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
