Surname Schmädtke - Meaning and Origin
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Schmädtke: What does the surname Schmädtke mean?
The last name Schmädtke is a German surname that originated in the early 19th century. It is derived from the words schmäd, which means “stump” and ke, which means “owner” in Low German. This defines the name as either “one who owns a stump” or “one who works with stumps”.
Schmädtke is commonly found in the north and eastern parts of Germany, especially in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Lüneburg, and Saxony. It is believed that the people with this surname are descended from German and Slavic settlers who came to the area hundreds of years ago.
The surname Schmädtke is still found in Germany today as well as in other parts of the world such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. There are currently fewer than 5,000 people in the world who have this name.
Schmädtke is an old and unique surname that is not very common. It is a testament to the history of German settlers and the importance of their work and contributions to society. Those who carry this name are proud of their heritage and often strive to keep the legacy of their ancestors alive.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmädtke: Where does the name Schmädtke come from?
The last name Schmädtke is most commonly found in North-Central Germany today. Specifically, the name is most often seen in the states of Lower Saxony, Saxony Anhalt, and Brandenburg as a result of its historically Germanic origins.
The origins of this family name are likely derived from the term “schmädtekening” which was used to indicate a local court. This court would have been presided over by a respected individual typically from the same region—which may have been where the last name was derived.
The Schmädtke family appears to have originated in the early threeteenth century, when two Schmädtes—Grosse and Arnold—first appear in the historical record. This was likely in the area of Holstein which is now part of Germany.
The Schmädtke line likely grew in popularity over the centuries as more individuals spread out across Germany and took the name with them. Today, individuals carrying the Schmädtke name have settled in a wide variety of locales in both Germany and abroad, including the United States, Austria, and Russia.
Overall, the last name Schmädtke is most commonly associated with Germany today, specifically in the northern and central reaches of the country. As a result, individuals who carry the name are widely dispersed, with a large concentration still residing in Germany.
Variations of the surname Schmädtke
The surname Schmädtke is a variant of Schmaedtke, which is a German occupational surname derived from Old High German “smeiz,” meaning “miller” or “milling.” This surname is also spelled as Schmaedtke or Schmedtke.
Some alternate spellings of the surname are Smädtken, Smaetke, Smetke, Schmaetke, Schmetke, Smetken, Schmaetken, Schmätten, Schmecken, Schmöcken, and Schmeldeke. The variant Smetken is typically found in the regions of East Prussia and West Prussia with some cases of Schmädtke being found in the area of Ruppiner Land.
In terms of surnames with the same origin, some similar German surnames that have roots in milling include Schäfer (“shepherd”), Müller (“miller”), Kühler (“miller”), Roggenkamp (“rye field”), Köhler (“charcoal burner”), and Schmiedt (“blacksmith”).
It is also important to note that surname variants such as Schmecken and Schmöcken have been derived from the given name Schmöck.
Therefore, the surname Schmädtke has a few alternate spellings, as well as similar German surnames stemming from milling and the given name Schmöck.
Famous people with the name Schmädtke
- Jonathan Schmädtke, German former footballer.
- Eugen Schmädtke, German politician and leader of the German National People's Party.
- Helge Schmädtke, German former Olympic track cyclist.
- Christof Schmädtke, German former footballer.
- Martin Schmädtke, German former footballer.
- Alfred Schmädtke, German entrepreneur who founded the sporting goods chain Schmädtke Sportartikel GmbH & Co.KG.
- Wilhelmine Schmädtke, German social Democratic GDR politician and former mayor of East Berlin
- Will Schmädtke, Writer and broadcaster.
- Sepp Schmädtke, Austrian mid-distance freestyle swimmer.
- Ingrid Schmädtke, German former Olympic gymnast.