Surname Schermacher - Meaning and Origin
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Schermacher: What does the surname Schermacher mean?
The last name Schermacher, originating from Germany, is an occupational name derived from the German term ‘schirmacher’. The word itself means ‘umbrella maker’ and is derived from the German words ‘schirme’ meaning ‘umbrella’ and ‘macher’ meaning ‘maker’.
Schermacher is mainly found in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary and the former countries of Czechoslovakia. It has also spread into other countries, including Canada, the United States, England and Australia.
The term ‘schirmacher’ was a profession in earlier times in Germany, with umbrella makers creating umbrellas using cloth, wood and leather. This craft requires skill and knowledge, and the trade of umbrella making was highly respected. The umbrellas produced were used to protect individuals from the various elements in the weather, showing that the umbrella maker had an important job to do.
Schermacher is an occupational name, with the surname corresponding to the occupation. The name is still found today, though the occupation of umbrella making is no longer as common. The meaning behind the last name is still remembered, showing the respect for the skill of making umbrellas and the protection that the umbrellas provided from the elements of the weather.
Order DNA origin analysisSchermacher: Where does the name Schermacher come from?
The last name Schermacher is most commonly found today in Germany. It is considered to be quite a popular name throughout the country, with records showing it first appearing in its earliest recorded form in the 16th century. The name is of German origin, with its literal translation being “shield-smith”.
Families with the last name Schermacher are most commonly found in areas of Germany such as the regions of Rhineland and Westphalia. It is sometimes found within families of Jewish heritage who have origins in Eastern European countries, although not as prevalent as in Germany.
Schermacher is a surname that is represented in multiple counties around the world today. Significant populations of the name can be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, amongst others. This is likely due to the diaspora of German citizens during the 20th century.
The use of the name Schermacher may have been in decline over the past few decades, although it is still very much around. Its popularity in Germany is testament to the prevalence of this surname in Europe today, with reports showing it sitting in the top 1,000 of the most common surnames within the country.
Variations of the surname Schermacher
The surname Schermacher has several variants and spellings as well as related surnames of the same origin. The most common spelling is Schermacher, but other variants can include Schermacherr, Schermachere, Schermacherre, Scheremacher, and Scheremacherr. Other similar surnames that have the same origin as Schermacher are Scherker, Schercker, Scherpacher, Sharfmacher, Scherfhaufer, and Siskemachere.
Schermacher is a German toponymic name that originated from the name of a place that a person bearing the name once lived in or was born in, such as a village with the same name in Silesia. It derives from the Middle High German word ‘scherm’, which translates to ‘fence’ or ‘hedge’, that was used to denote a form of boundary. Thus, the surname is believed to have been initially given to a person who lived near a hedge or boundary, which was given the name ‘Scherm’.
Schermacher is still prevalent as a surname in Germany, South Africa, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and Brazil. These countries are presumed to have been colonized by German immigrants who likely brought the surname with them when they first settled.
The variants and related surnames suggest that the name has undergone some variations in spelling, such as removing or changing an element of the name that was formerly present. This is likely due to the fact that the spelling of surnames was not yet consistently regulated during the time when these immigrants settled in their new homes.
Famous people with the name Schermacher
- Ida Schermacher: German rower and Olympian
- Nicola Schermacher: German biathlete
- Jürgen Schörmacher: German historian
- Michael Schörmacher: German businessman
- Hugo Schörmacher: German journalist
- Ludwig Schörmacher: German-American neurologist
- Wilma Schörmacher: German-American boxer
- Karola Schörmacher: German mezzo-soprano
- Johannes Schörmacher: German mezzo-soprano
- Carl Schörmacher: German historian
- Felix Schörmacher: German organ builder
- Otto Schörmacher: German theologian
- Thorsten Schörmacher: German television presenter