Surname Lochschmied - Meaning and Origin
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Lochschmied: What does the surname Lochschmied mean?
Lochschmied is a German surname originating from an occupational name given to a person who operated a forge, or blacksmith shop, near a lake or other body of water. The word Lochschmied comes from the combination of the German words "Loch", meaning lake, and "Schmied" which means blacksmith. It is thought that the name was originally given to a smith who lived near the waters of the Rhine River.
The earliest known reference to this surname is that of Hainrich Loys Lochschmied who lived in the small village of Illenfeld in Bavaria during the 15th century. During the 16th century, Lochschmieds spread to other regions of Germany, and eventually to the United States. By the late 19th century, most Lochschmieds had established their own shops in what is now known as Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Those with the Lochschmied surname are still found in the Midwest today, though most members of the family have chosen to become craftsmen rather than blacksmiths. In fact, many members of this family have gone on to become attorneys, doctors, politicians, engineers, and teachers.
What unites all who share the Lochschmied name is a pride in the traditions of the past: a commitment to hard work, dedication to craftsmanship, and a firm belief in the importance of keeping one's word.
Order DNA origin analysisLochschmied: Where does the name Lochschmied come from?
The last name Lochschmied is most commonly found in Switzerland and Germany today. It is a German surname and literally translates to “lock smith.” The surname Lochschmied is found in records from the 15th century in the then-Holy Roman Empire, today’s assumption being that those who initially bore this surname made their livings as locksmiths.
Switzerland and Germany both saw a huge border shift in the 19th century, when the Confederation of Switzerland became a nation separate from the German Empire. Because of this large population exchange, many people with the surname Lochschmied are found in both countries today.
Genealogy websites list more than 160 people with the surname Lochschmied living currently in Switzerland, the majority of which are from the Zurich region. In Germany, the population of those with the last name is much bigger, with roughly a thousand people found in various records. Records found in Germany indicating current residency tend towards the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Hessen.
These records, as well as other references in historical writings, attest to the fact that the last name Lochschmied still has a presence in both Switzerland and Germany today.
Variations of the surname Lochschmied
The surname Lochschmied is of German and Swiss origins and is transliterated as Lokšmids. Variants of the surname include Lokšmids, Lochschmieder, Lockšmids and Lokšmiter. Spellings of the surname can also vary, such as Lockśmids, Locschmied, LochSchmied, Laokšmids, Lochshmied, Lokšmitas, Groninger, Lohksmejder, Lokšmijdas and Lockšmejder. Common surnames of the same origin are Lohmeier, Lakemaker, Lockmaker, Lakensmier and Looksmith.
The surname Lochschmied is derived from the logo of the smith which was used to display their trade. Smiths were highly skilled tradesmen who worked with metal to craft tools and weapons for those in need. As such, the surname has symbolic meaning; it embodies the spirit of hard work, dedication and strength. The name likely originated from a small village or group of people from the German or Swiss region and has since been adopted by many cultures around the world.
However, due to various spellings of the surname, it can be difficult to trace its true origin. Regardless, many families have been able to trace their lineage back to the original smiths of Germanic and Swiss origin; both Lockmaker and Lakensmier were popular surnames that are still used in many modern families. The surname Lochschmied is an important part of family history and can provide insight into its original meaning and origin.
Famous people with the name Lochschmied
- Gary Lochschmied, Jr.: Gary is an Olympic skier who competed in the 2014 Winter Olympics.
- Johann Lochschmied: Johann is a renowned German sculptor and writer. He is most well-known for his classical sculptures, which have been exhibited around the world.
- Gary Lochschmied, Sr.: Gary is a former U.S. ski coach who was a member of the US Ski Team from 1984 to 1991. He was also the US Ski National Team Coach from 1990 to 1996.
- Christoph Lochschmied: Christoph is a German businessman and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of several successful companies and is an advocate for sustainable, environmental-friendly businesses.
- Sabine Lochschmied: Sabine is an Austrian film director and producer. She has directed a number of award-winning documentaries, including The Swim, About a Woman, and The Race.
- Ueli Lochschmied: Ueli is a Swiss mountaineer and mountain guide. He is most well-known for his ascents of famous peaks such as Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Mont Blanc, and many others.
- Harald Lochschmied: Harald is a German entrepreneur and technology expert. He has held several important positions in various companies, and is currently the CEO of Mobheim GmbH.
- Ludwig Lochschmied: Ludwig is a German writer and editor. He is the author of several best-selling books, including the popular fiction series Die Schäferin.