Surname Federschmid - Meaning and Origin

Federschmid: What does the surname Federschmid mean?

Federschmid is a German surname derived from the German words ‘Feder’ (feather) and ‘schmied’ (blacksmith). The surname is likely to have been a patronymic, given to a person whose father was a blacksmith who made items out of feathers. It can also be interpreted as being derived from the phrase ‘Feder schmieden’, which means to ‘forge feathers’.

The area of central Europe where the surname is most common is in the south-western corner of Bavaria, which is significant as during the middle ages this area was known for its blacksmiths. It has been suggested that the influential German philosopher, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, may have had the surname Federschmid in his family tree as it was found that a man living in Stuttgart, Germany, in the 18th century had the same family name.

The meaning of the surname Federschmid is linked with the ongoing tradition of crafting items from feathers, which has been passed down throughout the centuries. The practice is celebrated by artisan craftspeople in Germany and in other parts of the world, and is an important part of the cultural and economic identity that is associated with the name.

Federschmid: Where does the name Federschmid come from?

The last name Federschmid is a fairly rare name today, and is not especially common in any one country. It is an originally Germanic name, derived from the Middle High German "vede(r)" meaning "father," with the addition of the word "schmid" meaning "smith," indicating an ancestor skilled in metal-working.

Today, it is present in many countries, including Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. In the United States and Canada, the name is much less common, as only about 33 families bear the name in the United States, with some additional families in Canada.

In modern times, the Federschmid's are scattered throughout the world, from the United States to South America, Australia, and beyond. In places like Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, the name is still somewhat more common than elsewhere; but still, it is by no means a frequent name in these countries.

Overall, the name Federschmid is much less common today than it was centuries ago. The few who still bear the name come from a long line of ancestors and, even more, from a time gone by.

Variations of the surname Federschmid

The surname Federschmid is of German origin, and has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

The most common variant of the surname Federschmid is Federspiel. This variant is often found in Southern Germany and Austria. Other variants stemming from the same root include Federsmidt, Federdsmith, Fiederschmid, Fiederschmidt, Federsmid and Federschimdt.

The spelling variations of Federschmid are also common in German-speaking countries. These variations include Feitschmid, Faischmied, Feeseymid, Faitschmid, Fiethsmid, Fiedteschmid, Feiterschmid, Feiterschmidt, Fietschmidt and Feiterschmied.

The surname Federschmid can also be found in other countries, albeit less frequently. This includes countries such as the United States, Canada, and France. In the United States, the spellings Fadereschmidt, Faderschmidt, Federzschmidt and Facereschmidt can be found. Similarly, in Canada, the variants Feutzschmid, Fetzschmidt and Federschmidt are occasionally seen. In France, Fiederschmid is the most common spelling variation.

Overall, the surname Federschmid is quite common in German-speaking countries, and is found in many spelling variations and surname variants throughout the world.

Famous people with the name Federschmid

• Richard Federschmid: Richard Federschmid is an internationally recognized German engineer and inventor. He is most well-known for his invention of the wind turbine and solar system engineering for modern energy production.
• Christian Federschmid: Christian Federschmid is a former football player and currently a media host in Germany. He is a well-known figure in the world of sport and is often seen hosting sports talk shows.
• Thomas Federschmid: Thomas Federschmid is a retired German teacher and author. He is best known for his books on the history of German music and culture.
• Johann Federschmid: Johann Federschmid was a German landowner in the 18th century. He was well-known for his large estates and his patronage of the arts and sciences in his day.
• Felix Federschmid: Felix Federschmid is a renown German chess master. He is known for his great skill in the game and has won numerous awards.
• Julia Federschmid: Julia Federschmid is a well-known German filmmaker. She is best known for her documentaries about art, music, and culture.
• Victor Federschmid: Victor Federschmid is a German artist and sculptor. He is most well-known for his large scale sculptures, which often symbolize the struggles of the human condition.
• Kurt Federschmid: Kurt Federschmid is a former German politician. He served in the European Parliament from 1979 to 1989 and was a tireless promoter of human rights, animal welfare, and environmental protection.

Other surnames

FederschmidtFederschmied