Surname Schameitzke - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schameitzke: What does the surname Schameitzke mean?
The last name Schameitzke is derived from the Old German word “schatzkis” which literally translates to “piece of treasure” or “treasure box". It indicates someone who was highly valued and/or protected. As with many German last names, Schameitzke was originally associated with a particular place, which in this case was the Silesian town of Schamitzke.
In the Middle Ages, the surnames of Schamitzke and Schameitzke were commonly adopted by wealthy merchants or officials who were in charge of looking after valuable items. This could have been items of monetary or military value, but could also include religious artifacts and important documents. It’s likely that the name was passed down through the generations as a way of symbolizing the family’s elevated status and the importance with which they looked after their possessions.
In more modern times, the name Schameitzke has been borne by notable figures, such as German writer and editor Hermann Schameitzke, and physicist Carl Friedrich Schameitzke. Despite its ancient roots and noble connotations, the name is not all that common outside of certain regions of Germany, where those bearing the name are likely to be proud of their ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisSchameitzke: Where does the name Schameitzke come from?
The last name Schameitzke is most commonly found in Germany and Central Europe today. It is a relatively uncommon name with fewer than 500 individuals in the world bearing the surname.
The earliest recorded evidence of the Schameitzke surname comes from eighteenth century East Prussia, which is now a part of Poland and the Kaliningrad region of Russia. The oldest recorded individual with the surname was Johann Schameitzke, who was born in 1703 in Westpreussen, Prussia.
Schameitzke is also found in some scattered locations throughout Europe. There are Schameitzke families in France, Austria, Russia, Romania, and Czech Republic.
It is likely that the broader popularity of the name and geographical spread of the Schameitzke family resulted from Prussian migration in the nineteenth century. At the same time, German settlement increased in Argentina and Brazil from the eighteenth century, leading to small numbers of Schameitzke individuals emigrating overseas.
Today, the Schameitzke family continues to thrive in Germany, where communities are known for celebrating Midsummer’s Eve and other folk traditions. Several of the family’s descendants have achieved notability in recent years, including an award-winning film producer and a volunteer soldier who served in World War II.
Variations of the surname Schameitzke
The surname Schameitzke is a German surname that is mostly found in Germany, Austria, Russia, and the United States. It derives from either the German words scham (shame) or schaiman (cunning) plus the suffix -eitzke, which implies a diminutive form.
Variations on the surname include Schamenitzky, Schamenzky, Schamansky, Schmantzke, Schamantske, Schamanktke, Schamanktzke, Schamantske, Schamamzik, Schamenetsky, Schamentske, Schamenzky, Schamenko, Schamenzkie, Schamitzki, Schammank, Schammantke, Schammanzik, Schammanzke, Schammantzke, Schammatske, Schammatsky, Schammertzke, Schammmentke, and Schamnetzke.
The surname is also sometimes spelled as Scemenzky, Szemonitzky, Szemenitzky, Szeménitzky, Szcémensky, and Szemensky, among other variations.
Some variants of the surname are associated with specific cultures. For example, the Slavic-sounding Schamenko is connected to Ukraine, while Schamantzke is more common in Germany. There is also a Hebrew version of the surname, Schama, which comes from the Hebrew word shamah, meaning 'noise'.
No matter the spelling or culture of origin, Schameitzke is a distinct and uncommon surname, with a total population of approximately 1,500 people in the United States.
Famous people with the name Schameitzke
- Armin Schmeitzke: German football player who made 60 appearances for FC Nürnberg in the early 2000s.
- Hermann Schmeizke: German film director, specialising in documentary films. He was a founding member of the Association of German Film Directors and was awarded the German Film Prize in 1999.
- Fedor Schmeitzke: Russian painter from St Petersburg. He is best known for his symbolist works that depict battles and heroic acts in Russian history.
- Paul Schmeitzke: German-American architect who emigrated to the United States in the late 19th century. He designed many churches, buildings and sculptures around the US, including the Soldiers' Memorial Bridge in Minneapolis.
- Wilhelm Schmeitzke: German poet and archaeologist who is best known for his concept of a mythical Troy. He is also remembered for his participation in the student uprising of 1848.