Summary

Surname SCHELL is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word 'schelle', meaning 'small bell'. The name could have been a nickname for someone who made or sold bells, or it could have been a topographic name for someone who lived near a bell. It has a rich history and is still found in various parts of the world today.
There are
13016
Schells in the USA
Schell is the
2773rd
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Schell

MaximilianSchell

Maximilian Schell was an Austrian actor, director, and producer who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the film 'Judgment at Nuremberg' in 1961.

MariaSchell

Maria Schell was an Austrian actress who appeared in numerous international films, including 'Gervaise' and 'The Hanging Tree.' She won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the 1954 Venice Film Festival.

CatherineSchell

Catherine Schell is a Hungarian-born actress known for her role as Maya in the British science fiction television series 'Space: 1999.' She has also appeared in films like 'The Return of the Pink Panther' and 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service.'

PaulSchell

Paul Schell was an American politician and urban planner who served as the Mayor of Seattle from 1998 to 2002. He played a key role in the development of the Seattle Sculpture Park and the new Seattle Public Library.

DavidSchell

David Schell is a Canadian composer and conductor known for his contributions to contemporary classical music. He has composed works for orchestras, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments.

JohnSchell

John Schell is a former American football player who played as a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints and the Houston Oilers.

BarbaraSchell

Barbara Schell is a renowned nurse educator and author known for her contributions to the field of nursing education. She has written several influential textbooks on nursing theory and practice.

Friedrichvon

Friedrich von Schelling was a German philosopher who was a key figure in German Idealism. He developed a metaphysical system that integrated philosophy, natural science, and religion.

HeinrichChristian

Heinrich Christian Schell was a German-American conductor and violinist. He served as the concertmaster of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and conducted numerous orchestras in the United States and Europe.

RudolfFriedrich

Rudolf Friedrich Schell was a German physician and surgeon who made significant contributions to the fields of otolaryngology and plastic surgery. He developed innovative surgical techniques and instruments.

Schell Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Schell' is of German origin. It is a variant of the surname 'Schelling,' which means 'little shell' or 'small shell.' The name may have originally referred to a person who lived by a shell-like geographic feature or who worked with shells, such as a shellfish gatherer or a maker of shell-based crafts.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Schell' is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the Rhine region and the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. It is also present in Austria, Switzerland, and other German-speaking countries. Significant populations of individuals with the surname can also be found in the United States, Canada, and Australia, due to immigration from German-speaking regions.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Schell' include 'Schelle,' 'Schel,' and 'Schellinger.'
Migration and ImmigrationPeople with the surname 'Schell' have migrated and immigrated to various countries, particularly during periods of German emigration. The name can be found among German immigrant communities in the United States, Canada, and Australia, as well as in other countries with significant German-speaking populations.