Surname Schelenski - Meaning and Origin

Schelenski: What does the surname Schelenski mean?

The last name Schelenski is of German or Slavic origin. It is derived from the root word “schele” and is thought to its related to the word “shell”. The name is thought to refer to an open area or place, one with no shelter or enclosure. Considered an occupational name, Schelenski (sometimes spelled Schehlensky or Schelinsky) likely originated with someone who worked in an open area like a field or moor.

The name became popular in Poland, Germany, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, likely due to the expansive presence of occupational surnames like Schelenski. As individuals moved and settled in these countries, they kept their original surnames, allowing them to pass down to their posterity lineage and identity.

Today there are many different spellings of the name, including Schelenski, Schehlensky, Scheelensky, and Schelinsky, all of which share the same general origin and meaning. Variations like Schlenker, Schlenzig, and Schlenzke may have a slight variation in origin or spelling. All of these spellings share the same connection to the open land and the occupation of those who worked it.

Schelenski: Where does the name Schelenski come from?

The last name Schelenski is most commonly found in the European countries of Poland and Austria. In Poland, Schelenski is a relatively common name, with roughly 4,800 people bearing the surname currently living in the country. The surname is particularly prominent in the southeastern regions of Poland, such as Galicia, Silesia, and the Masovian Plains.

In Austria, the Schelenski surname is less common, with only around 1,000 people bearing the last name in the country. The name is most commonly found in the southeastern region of the country, especially in the parts surrounding Vienna and extending to the country’s borders with Hungary and Slovakia.

The surname is also present in other areas of Europe, including Germany, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. Schelenski is also often found in the part of Croatia closest to Austria.

Thanks to immigration, the Schelenski name can also be found among the Eastern European diaspora in western countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, where it is much less common. It is also found in Australia and New Zealand as a result of similar migrations.

Variations of the surname Schelenski

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Schelenski are Scheelenski, Schellenski, Schellensky, Shellensky, Schellinsky, Shellinsky, Shellinsky, Schelewsky, Schelowsky, Shelovsky, Shilawsky, Shlapsky, Shelowitch, Shilawitsky, and Shurkowsky.

Schelenski is a Russian and Polish surname. It is derived from the Slavic “shil” meaning “to change, transform” and “anski” or “ostky” meaning “belonging to”. The term expresses a person's ability to “change” or “transform”, likely referring to the ability to survive tough conditions.

In Russia, some of the earliest mentions of this name include records of the boyar, or nobleman, Fyodor Schelyonsky in 1545 and Mordko Schelyonsky in 1579. Both Schelyonsky and Schelyonsky are related to Shilawitsky, the latter being a more modern spelling. In 1812, Polish-Lithuanian nobility records include references to the Celestę Shilawitskich family and in 1831, the surnames Schelenski and Shilawsky appear in the historical book, “Hołoby Ukrainy”.

The Schellensky spelling is mostly associated with Poland and Ukraine. Jewish populations began to use this spelling during the 19th century. The spelling became popular amongst Jewish immigrants in the United States and Canada. Schelensky appears to have been the most common spelling amongst American Jews until the early 21st century.

Schellinsky and Shellinsky are other German and Jewish spellings of the surname, while the Shellowitch spelling is used amongst Belarusian Jews. Shelowitch comes from the Belarusian and Ukrainian words, “Shul” and “Owitsch”, which mean “change” and “son of” respectively.

Shlapsky and Shurkowsky are recent spellings of the name. Though the etymology of these spellings is unknown, they are found amongst Ukrainian and Russian families. Lastly, Schelewsky and Shelovsky are considered to be more modern variants of the name.

Famous people with the name Schelenski

• Max Schelewinsky: Professional skateboarder and two-time X-Games competitor, winning medals in the Big Air and Street events in 2014.
• Anne Schelenski: Award-winning costume designer and winner of two Emmy Awards, for her work on the HBO series Boardwalk Empire and The Knick.
• Ryan Schelenski: Former professional hockey player, who was part of the Stanley Cup winning team for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2008-2009.
• Paul Schelenski: MMA fighter, who competed in the heavyweight and super heavyweight divisions during his career.
• Michael Schelenski: Olympic diver who earned a bronze medal for Team USA during the 2016 Rio games, in the men’s 10-meter synchronized platform diving event.
• Laura Schelenski: Professional figure skater, who competed in the 1965 and 1967 World Championships.
• Joe Schelenski: Lead singer and guitarist of the Nashville punk rock band, The Schelenskis.
• Nick Schelenski: Award-winning chef and judge on the Food Network’s Chopped and Cutthroat Kitchen, who has appeared on Iron Chef America as well.
• Mary Schelenski: Award-winning Broadway actress, who has starred in productions of Les Misérables and The Lion King.
• Mary Jane Schelenski: International freestyle skiing champion, who won a gold medal in the women's moguls event at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

Other surnames

Schelensky