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Schnell Surname Meaning & Origin

What the Schnell last name means, where the surname began and how it spread.

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Meaning and origin of the Schnell last name

Meaning of the Schnell last name: "quick". Schnell is a German surname from Middle High German snel, "quick, lively, brave", a nickname for a fast runner or a bold, energetic man. The Low German form is Snell. The last name is spread across Germany, especially Hesse, Bavaria and the Palatinate.

Arms associated with the Schnell name

German heraldry loves canting arms that echo a name, a custom seen in coats of arms linked with Schnell.

Get your full Schnell family history

This is only a glimpse of the Schnell story. The full Schnell history report goes much deeper into where the name began, who carried it and how the family spread, and it comes with a museum-style painted Schnell coat of arms. Get the full Schnell report.

Schnell name FAQ

What does the Schnell name mean?

"quick". Common variants include Snell, Schnelle.

Where does the Schnell surname come from?

It originates in Germany, and is also found in the United States, Switzerland and Austria.

Is there a Schnell coat of arms?

Arms were granted to individuals rather than to everyone with a surname. Herald Lab paints a personalized Schnell coat of arms in museum style, based on historic heraldry.

Sources: Duden Familiennamen; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).