An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Schild

by Friedrich Kluge

Schild (1.), m., ‘shield, coat of arms,’ from the equiv. MidHG. schilt, OHG. scilt, m.; a common Teut. term; comp. Goth. skildus, m., OIc. skjǫldr, AS. scyld, E. shield, Du. schild, OSax. scild. The word first signified ‘signboard’ in early ModHG. The specifically Teut. term skildu-s (from skeldhus, skeltús?) cannot be traced farther back; it can scarcely be related to schallen (Schild, lit. ‘that which gives a loud sound or resounds’?).

Schild (2.), n., ‘signboard,’ ModHG. only, a variant of the foregoing; hence Schilder- (neut. stem) in compounds such as Schilderhaus, ‘sentry-box.’