Surname Schimschik - Meaning and Origin
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Schimschik: What does the surname Schimschik mean?
The last name Schimschik is of German origin and is derived from the word "schimme," which means priceless, or of good value. The surname is believed to have been granted as an occupational name, referring to someone who dealt in valuable items, such as jewels or coins.
The Schimschik family can be traced back to several regions of Germany, one of which is the town of Rimbach. Oral histories tell of a group of six brothers known as the "Schimpfl" who moved to the area from a different town and took on the name Schimschik.
The Schimschik family has a rich history of hard work and community-mindedness. Many of its members went on to establish successful businesses and professions, such as doctors, lawyers, merchants, and educators. The Schimschik family also took on important positions in the German government and served during both world wars.
Between the 1800s and the early 1900s, many members of the Schimschik family sought a better life in America. With them, they brought their entrepreneurial spirit and devotion to their communities to areas like Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. These Schimschiks have made significant contributions to the United States, and have even gone on to hold high positions in government, business, and the medical profession.
Today, the Schimschik family remains a respected name in German and American society. The Schimschik last name continues to be passed on from generation to generation as a symbol of pride, hard work, and success.
Order DNA origin analysisSchimschik: Where does the name Schimschik come from?
The last name Schimschik is most commonly found among Jewish populations in Eastern Europe, especially in countries like Belarus, Ukraine, and Poland. Records date back to the 13th century and in the 19th century, the Schimschik name was found across many communities of the Russian Empire including Ukraine and the regions of Podolia and Lithuania.
Today, the Schimschik surname is still very common among Eastern European Jews. This family name can be seen most frequently in countries like Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Russia, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.
The Schimschik’s name is also a popular name among people with Ashkenazi Jewish heritage in the United States. Many of these families are descendants of Ukrainian, Polish, Belarusian, or Lithuanian immigrants who came to the US in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The states with the highest number of Schimschik are New York, California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
Outside of Eastern Europe and the US, there are also Schimschik families living in countries like Australia, Canada, and Israel.
Schimschik can be roughly translated to “schimmy”, which originates from the Yiddish language and means ‘truncheon’, a short stick or club. It’s possible that the same was chosen by a few generations in the past to form this surname, but that cannot be confirmed today.
Variations of the surname Schimschik
Schimschik is a common surname of German origin. It is most commonly spelled Schimschik, however, there are several variants and alternate spellings that stem from this same root name.
The most common variations are Schimischik, Schimischig, and Schimishik, which is a German Jewish variant. Others are Shamishik and Shemishik, though these are more rare. It could also be spelled Schimitsch, Schimish, Schimishak, Schimishok, Schimishuk, and Shimisch.
There are other variations of Schimschik such as Szimszik, Szimischik, Szimiszik, and Szemeschik. These spellings come from the Slavic versions of the name. In addition, some Polish spelling options include Szmigiel, Szmiałek, Szmiałkowski, and Szmizlak.
The alternate surnames of Schimschik come from other countries and cultures, such as Poland, Russia, Ukraine, and Slovakia. These include Shemshuk, Szumlewicz, Smisma, Smieszka, Szemska, Szmigiel, Shymanskij, Schytzuk, Szymczuk, and Schmielczuk.
Overall, Schimschik is a very flexible surname with many variants, spellings, and alternate surnames. Persons with this last name might come from many different backgrounds and may have family members who have different versions of the surname from those of their own.
Famous people with the name Schimschik
- Steven Schimschak: American geographer and professor of the University of Colorado and expert in arid land management and policy.
- Kirsten Schimschak–German doctor, politician and Member of the German Bundestag since 2009
- Alfred Schimschak: Austrian economist and expert in public finance and economic policy
- Günter Schimschak: German Episcopal pastor and former bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria
- Daniel Schimschak: German financial analyst and investor in hedge funds
- Christian Schimschak: Austrian computer scientist and professor at the University of Technology, Vienna
- Helmut Schimschak: Austrian legal scholar, professor of criminal law and criminology at the University of Vienna
- Armin Schimschak: German professor of constitutional and administrative law at the University of Marburg
- Alfred Schimschik: Austrian painter and sculptor
- Peter Schimschak: Austrian architect and professor at the Technical University of Vienna