Surname Schimmelpennig - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schimmelpennig: What does the surname Schimmelpennig mean?
The last name Schimmelpennig is a German surname. Its literal translation from German to English is "mustard feather." It is thought to be a locational name derived from an area near Hamburg, Germany, though it is not known precisely where this area is located.
The Schimmelpennig name has been found in records as far back as the 16th century, and was likely derived from a nickname for a person who lived nearby. This nickname was likely derived from the yellow coloring of a mustard crop field which, in the afternoon sun, could have resembled feathers on a bird.
The Schimmelpennig name still exists in Germany and in other countries where German immigrants have settled. In the United States, the name is found primarily in Pennsylvania. It is also found in other countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and parts of South America.
Not much is known about the history of the Schimmelpennig name, but it is thought to have been passed down through generations in the same family. Those with the Schimmelpennig name may feel a sense of pride knowing they can trace their ancestry back hundreds of years.
Order DNA origin analysisSchimmelpennig: Where does the name Schimmelpennig come from?
The last name Schimmelpennig is mainly found in the north-central region of Germany today. Specifically, the name is concentrated in the states of Lower Saxony, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia. Most people with the name are associated with the Westphalia region of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Historically speaking, Schimmelpennig is a Germanized variant of the Dutch surname Schimme(l)penninck or Schimme(l)penninx. Schimmelpennigs trace their origin to the Lower Rhine region and East Frisia, tracing the name back to at least the 17th century. The name translates literally to "horse pennant" and is thought to have derived from a person who made decoration flags from horses' manes.
Today the Schimmelpennig surname still remains a fairly uncommon family name. In 2014, there were an estimated 2,316 Schimmelpennigs living in Germany, 1,713 living in the Netherlands, 235 in Switzerland and 57 in the United States.
While the surname has its roots in the Dutch-speaking world, there is evidence that it has, over the centuries, spread to other parts of Central Europe. It appears in other German-speaking countries like Austria and Poland, albeit in much smaller numbers.
Variations of the surname Schimmelpennig
The variants of the surname Schimmelpennig can take a variety of forms. The most common variants are Shimpinig, Shimpenix, Shimpenich, Schimping, Shimpnich, Schimpnig, Schimpenix, Schimpening, Schrumpfenning, Schrumplening, Schankling, and Schimpelpfennig.
When taking the spelling and variations of the surname into account, a few interesting trends emerge. First, the alternative forms of the name denote a slight alteration in pronunciation due to regional and language change over time. Those with a more German-based background may choose to pronounce the name as Schimpeling or Schimpelnig, while those in other places may opt for a more Americanized version of the same word, Schimping.
Other variants may also emerge due to misspelling or adaptations that are made over time. The alternate spelling Schimpnenig is perhaps the result of a misunderstanding of the pronunciation of the original Schimmelpennig name. Similarly, Shimpnich has been associated with the Schimmelpennig line due to its alternate spelling of its more widely accepted variant.
Finally, variations of the surname can also appear on the basis of people belonging to the same family name. These variations often reflect the different links that family members have with their Germanic roots, such as the Shimpinix, Schimpelpfennig, and Schankling forms of the surname.
It is clear, then, that while the origin of the Schimmelpennig surname is rooted in Germanic heritage, its alternate spellings, surnames, and variants are testament to the constantly changing linguistic landscape of both the English and German language.
Famous people with the name Schimmelpennig
- Jochen Schimmelpennig: German television presenter and actor
- Bernhard Schimmelpennig: German historian and librarian
- Carl Wilhelm Schimmelpennig: German/American geologist and educator
- Johann Schimmelpennig: German legal scholar and a Baltic German
- Ludwig Schimmelpennig: German classical archaeologist
- Ernest Schimmelpennig: American Business Administrator and University Professor
- Samuel Schimmelpennig: German-American businessman
- Franz Schimmelpennig: German classical philologist
- Ludwig Schimmelpennig: German naval surgeon and soap manufactorer
- Ernst Schimmelpennig: German historical painter