Surname Schlemilch - Meaning and Origin
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Schlemilch: What does the surname Schlemilch mean?
The last name Schlemilch likely has its roots in the German language and is derived from the word "schlimm," meaning "bad"; and the suffix "elch," which is a variant of the word "elch," or "moose," in English. This would give the name the meaning of "bad (or unlucky) moose."
This name was likely given to individuals in times past who were believed to bring bad luck or misfortune, or perhaps as a way of teasing a person who was deemed clumsy or awkward.
Schlemilch is a rare last name and is not found in current common use, though there are a few scattered examples of people who have adopted it as a surname. As the rarity suggests, Schlemilch is most likely of Germanic origin and is not much used outside German-speaking peoples.
The name is unique in its sound, and this perhaps adds to its mystery: images of a luckless, but endearing, dark-brown moose named Schlemilch can't help but come to mind. The name may not be widely used now, but it's an interesting relic of times past that adds character and flavor to the names we use today.
Order DNA origin analysisSchlemilch: Where does the name Schlemilch come from?
The surname Schlemilch is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. It is an Ashkenazi Jewish name, which has likely been around since the Middle Ages and can be traced back to the city and state of Berlin from as early as the 17th century.
The earliest known people with the name Schlemilch appeared in the town of Furstenwalde, Brandenburg, Germany between 1736 and 1817. During this period, Jewish people were frequently forced to migrate due to religious persecution and some Schlemilchs moved to Austria. Records later appear in various Austrian cities such as Vienna and Marchegg as well as different regions throughout the country.
At different times in history, Schlemilchs have moved to other places including France, Canada, the United States, and even as far away as South Africa. As of today, the name is still seen in Germany and Austria, particularly in the regions surrounding Berlin and Vienna.
As is true with many names of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, the spelling of this surname can also vary and includes Schlemelch, Schlimelch, Schmolch and other variations. Despite its various iterations, one thing remains consistent: Schlemilchs continue to spread around the world, leaving a lasting mark wherever they go.
Variations of the surname Schlemilch
The surname Schlemilch is derived from the German word "schlemihl", which in turn comes from the Middle High German word "schlimel". This name can have many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin depending on which country the family emigrated to.
Schlemilch is the most common spelling of the name, and variants of this spelling look like the following: Schlemell, Schlemlich, Schlimilch, Schemlich, Schmeilich, and Schmeilch.
In the English-speaking world, Schlemilch may be spelled as Schlamell, Shlemel, Shelmid, Shlemilch, Shlemeil, Shemeilch, Shlemelch, and Shlemlill.
The surnames that are the same origin as Schlemilch include Schmeliko, Schmelcki, Schemerschmidt, Schenmeil, Shlemlick, and Shmuckler.
In France, Schlomilch, Chlemilch, and Schomilch are all variants while in Netherlands, Schimmel, Schimmelpennick, and Schimmeldink may be spellings of Schlemilch.
Lastly, in Poland, the names Szlemiel, Szlimel, Szlomel, Szlimelski, and Szlamel may look different but are closely related to Schlemilch.
Famous people with the name Schlemilch
- Hannah Schlemilch: An artist and filmmaker, best known for her documentary about New York City's historical and cultural identity.
- Hermann Schlemilch: A German cellist, composer, and conductor who performed with orchestras in Berlin, Frankfurt, Vienna and London.
- Karl Schlemilch: A German singer and songwriter who had a number of hits in the late 1960s and early 70s.
- Adolf Schlemilch: A German artist and sculptor who worked in Berlin in the early 20th century.
- Benny Schlemilch: A German music producer and composer who gained international fame in the 1980s.
- Otto Schlemilch: A German architect and urban planner who designed a number of public buildings in Berlin in the early 1900s.
- Petra Schlemilch: A German film director and screenwriter best known for her socially conscious films of the 1990s.
- Charles Schlemilch: A German composer and conductor of the Romantic period who wrote several popular symphonies.
- Louise Schlemilch: A German painter and sculptor who exhibited her works in Paris, London and New York in the early 1900s.
- Theo Schlemilch: An Austrian expressionist painter and art educator who was active in Vienna in the 1920s and 30s.