two brothers who are prussian mercenaries fight in the revolutionary war and marry two North American Indian sisters. the plot for a sunday afternoon movie? no, it’s the story behind my last name!
thanks to a distant relative who e.mailed me out of the blue, i now have a great little story to answer the oft-asked question, “did you make up your last name?”
“The story goes, two brothers from Prussia came to this country as hired mercenaries. They settled in the Northeast after the war and married two North American Indian sisters (from the Seneca tribe). The Prussian name was “Schnedahl” or “Schnaudahl”. I have seen it spelled both ways. Their new Indian family gave them their new American name “Snowdeal”. And there you have it. “
thanks betty!
My last name is Snowdeal, I am the daughter of Everett W. Snowdeal, his father was Lester Snowdeal, and his father was Leroy Snowdeal. and I believe his fathers name was Charles, but not really sure on that . I am seventy one and would love to know more about the Schnaudahl’s. Thank you so much for this info