It is situated at the eastern boundary of the Bremian city of Bremerhaven, and 35 kilometers south of Cuxhaven.

In 1380, under the reign of Prince-Archbishop Albert II, knights of the family von Mandelsloh and other Verdian and Bremian robber barons ravaged burghers of Bremen and people in the entire Prince-Archbishopric.

In 1381, the city's troops successfully ended the brigandage and captured the castle of Bederkesa and pertaining bailiwicks, including Schiffdorf.

In 1386, the city of Bremen made the noble family, holding the estates of Altluneburg (a part of today's Schiffdorf), its vassal.

In 1648, the Prince-Archbishopric was transformed into the Duchy of Bremen, which was first ruled in personal union by the Swedish Crown.