Surname Shull - Meaning and Origin

Deciphering the Roots of the Shull Surname: An Enlightening Journey with iGENEA

Delving into my ancestral roots through iGENEA's DNA testing service, I discovered the intriguing history of my surname 'Shull', unveiling its Germanic roots and the probable professions of my ancestors. This journey was marked by surprising revelations that reshaped my understanding of my own identity.

G. Shull

Shull: What does the surname Shull mean?

The surname Shull is of Anglo-Saxon origin and typically regarded as topographic, representing someone who lived near a "scholl", a term derived from the Old English word "scylf", which means a shelf or ledge. This could refer specifically to a hillside or a prominent and distinguishing feature in the landscape. People were often identified or distinguished based on the natural or artificial features near their home during the middle ages, hence surnames like Hill, Bridge, or Brook. The name also may have been locational, used to refer to individuals originating from places like Scholes or Scoulton. Moreover, sometimes, the surname may have derived from an occupational name for a "scholer" or scholar; however, this is considered a less frequent derivation. Over time, the name has had variant spellings, including Scholl, Scholes, Schoall, and others. The surname is most prevalent in the United States, followed by Germany.

Shull: Where does the name Shull come from?

The last name Shull is a very common name throughout the United States. As of 2020, Shull is found most often in the states of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia. The name can also be found in large numbers in South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Ohio, Maryland, Kentucky, Indiana, and Georgia.

Shull appears to be of German origin originating from the root word “Schuetel” which means “farmer” or “landowner” in Old German. Originally found in the Palantinate region in Germany in the 1500s, the Shull family migrated to the United States, primarily in the 1600s.

Today, Pennsylvania has the highest concentration of Shulls in the United States (over 4,300), with West Virginia (over 4,200) and Virginia (over 3,000) following close behind. From there, the numbers become much smaller in other states, but the name made a large impact in many states across the U.S.

Given the spread of members of the Shull family across the country, the last name appears to have done fairly well with maintaining its presence after all these years.

Variations of the surname Shull

The surname Shull is a variant of the name Shalle, which originated in Germany. It can also be spelled Shuhl, Schuhl, Schull, Shuell, and several other spelling variations. In the English language, especially in the United States, Shull was generally spelled Shull or Schull.

Surnames with a similar origin and meaning to Shull are Schuller, Schulle, Schuller, Schulle, Shuller, Schulte, and Schulze. Many of these surnames come from Germany, where the surname Shull was originally recorded.

In Germany, Schuhl was a most common spelling for surnames with this origin. In Europe, Shull was sometimes spelled with a double "L", as in Shulll. The spelling of Shull changed several times over the centuries, depending on the language and region in which it was used.

The surname Shull can also be found in Jewish records, as some of the variations of the name spelled with a "J" instead of an "S". Jewish families with the surname Shull that could be found in records are Shuller, Shohl, Schuller, Schull, Schuhl, and Schulle.

While the spelling of Shull often varied, the basic meaning of the surname is the same. In Germany, it meant one who is a toll keeper, or someone responsible for collecting taxes and fees. The surname Shull was probably derived from the German word "Sul," which means official payer or collector.

Famous people with the name Shull

• Michael W. Shull: American film producer, writer, veteran and professor
• Kenneth Shull: American Medal of Honor recipient
• Carly Shull: American charity worker, business executive and entrepreneur
• Alex Shull: American professional baseball player in the Cincinnati Reds organization
• Gene Shull: American professional baseball player who played 20 seasons in the majors
• J. K. Shull: American Medal of Honor recipient
• Austin Shull: American former professional basketball player
• Jeff Shull: American professional basketball player in the NBA G League
• Lou Shull: American professor and international security expert
• Zach Shull: American musician and composer

Other surnames

ShulerShullawShultsShultz