Surname Schmädjens - Meaning and Origin
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Schmädjens: What does the surname Schmädjens mean?
The last name Schmädjens is of German origin and comes from the German words Schmiede (blacksmith) and –jens (from Johannes, meaning John). It was most likely a name given to the blacksmiths of a town. The name originates from when blacksmiths would advertise their services to local communities by using signs sporting their name.
The Schmädjens name was most likely given to people who worked as a blacksmith in a particular area. During the Middle Ages, blacksmiths were highly valued members of society. They created tools, weapons and horseshoes, and were the backbone of many industries. As they could only go to certain places to do their work, people living in a certain area would become “Schmädjens”.
The name can also be associated with a common phrase used at the time. In those days, a blacksmith making a nail was often referred to as “Schmiede dir einen Schmädjens”, meaning “forge yourself a nail". This phrase later inspired the spelling of the name and helped it become common among members of the blacksmith community.
Today, the name Schmädjens is fairly common in German speaking countries. It is often used as a sign of respect to those skilled workers of the past, and to remember their contribution to society.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmädjens: Where does the name Schmädjens come from?
The Schmädjens surname is associated mainly with Germany, having been indexed mostly in German databases. Today, the Schmädjens surname is especially common in the central areas of Germany, including the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, and Saxony-Anhalt, as well as parts of Bavaria.
The most concentrated areas of occurrence for the Schmädjens surname are the German cities of Erftstadt, Frechen, Frankfurt am Main, and Hünfelden. Other areas with active populations of Schmädjens include parts of the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and Slovakia, as well as smaller occurrences in England, France, and South Africa.
The origin of the Schmädjens name is unclear, though it is believed to be closely associated with the old German language and possibly holds Slavic roots. It could be a variant of the Schmiedes/Schmeidisch surname, which was derived from the German verb 'schmieden', meaning 'to forge'. Alternatively, it has been suggested to originate from the Old German words mäijen, meaning 'honourable', or maigen, meaning 'to offer'.
Overall, the Schmädjens surname remains fairly rare outside of its origins in the central areas of Germany, though small pockets of the surname also exist in other areas of Europe, the United Kingdom, and South Africa.
Variations of the surname Schmädjens
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Schmädjens are:
Schmadjens, Schmaedjens, Schmaedchens, Schmaedchens, Schmädchen, Schmädchin, Schmädjens, Schmädjin, Schmaedjin, Schmädjing, Schmaedching, Schmädstring, Schmaedjes, Schmaedjettes, Schmädzinger, Schmaedzinger.
Schmädjens is a German surname derived from the Old High German word “schmieden” which means “armour-piercing ornaments, cords, or garters”. It is thought that the surname comes from an occupation as it has been used as a surname in its homeland for centuries.
The spelling of the surname can vary and is often spelled Schmaedjens, Schmädchen or Schmädjes; however, depending on which part of Germany the surname originated, it may be spelled differently.
The surname in some cases is presumed to have been changed to Schmadjen, Schmaedchens, Schmaedchen, Schmädchin, Schmädjin, Schmaedjin, Schmädjing, and Schmädstring; and in some cases to Schmaedjes, Schmaedjettes, Schmädzinger, and Schmaedzinger.
In the United States, the Schmädjens family can be found in many states, particularly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Missouri. This surname has also spread throughout other parts of the world.
The Schmädjens family is a large and varied group, stretching across many countries and providing a deep history of many generations.
Famous people with the name Schmädjens
- Toby Schmädjens: German triple jumper, participated in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
- Sabine Schmädjens: German actress known for her role in the 1977 film, The Rabbit is Me.
- Peter Schmädjens: German stage actor, most prominently known for his roles in numerous performances of William Shakespeare's plays.
- Helmut Schmädjens: Former German Olympic rower who competed in the 1956 and 1960 Summer Olympics.
- Sigrun Schmädjens: Contemporary German author, primarily known for her psychological thrillers. Her most recent novel is 2017’s Eisblumen.
- Jochen Schmädjens: German composer and producer, most widely recognized for his composition of the song “Das Feuer”.
- Helga Schmädjens: German sprinter and long-jumper who held the world record for the 4 x 100 metres sprint from 1969-1972.
- Hansjörg Schmädjens: German wildlife photographer who has published critically acclaimed collections of animal photography.
- Rita Schmädjens: German sculptor well-known for her bronze human figures.
- Carsten Schmädjens: German architect, designer of the Deutschelorz museum in Berlin.