Surname Schmahle - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schmahle: What does the surname Schmahle mean?
The last name Schmahle can be traced back to Germany and is believed to be derived from the old German term "schmalz," meaning lard, fat, or grease. It is believed to be of occupational origin as it would have been used to describe someone who was a seller of lard or a butcher who handled lard.
The lineage of the name is believed to come from the German region known as Thüringen - a region located in central Germany that was historically known for its butchering industry. The Schmahle surname likely became popular with the expansion of butchers that began during the period of the 12th through the 16th centuries.
The Schmahle name is also traceable to other countries such as Poland, Austria, the Netherlands and parts of Northern Europe. The distribution of the surname suggests that the origin of the name could have its roots in various locations, as the Germanic language spread across central Europe with the migration of Germanic tribes.
Today, the Schmahle surname is still in use in many parts of the world. It is a reminder of the hard work and dedication of the generations that established this surname and the many others that followed. It is a reminder of the significant contributions Germanic settlers made to the areas in which they settled many centuries ago.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmahle: Where does the name Schmahle come from?
The last name Schmahle is typically found in English-speaking countries, such as the Unites States, Canada, and Australia. In Germany where the surname originated, it doesn't appear to be common, at least according to the German Phonebook. For instance, the most populated area in Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia state, has only a handful of Schmahles living in the state.
In the United States, the last name appears to be most common in the state of Michigan, where it is found in greater numbers in rural areas such as Newaygo County. Other states with sizable Schmahle populations include Pennsylvania, California, and Ohio.
In Canada, the surname is most common in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta, but it likely has a long history in Ontario and British Columbia as well.
Finally, in Australia, the surname Schmahle is normally found in Victoria, but it may also be found in states such as New South Wales and Queensland.
Despite its origin in Germany, it appears that such surname is much more common in the English-speaking countries of the world than in Germany itself.
Variations of the surname Schmahle
The spelling and variations of the surname Schmahle vary widely, depending on the region and language of those bearing the name. Common spellings include Schmale, Schmahl, Schmaehl, Schmaal, Schmaehle, Schmaehlen, Schmale, Schmadel, Schmaehler, Schmahlen, Schmal, Schmalle, Schmalz, and Schmall.
In German, Schmahle is sometimes spelt as ‘Schmaehl’ or ‘Schmal’, while in Luxembourgish it is commonly spelled ‘Schmaal’. In Dutch, the spelling is usually ‘Schmalle’. In English, the name is sometimes spelled ‘Small’ or ‘Smale’.
The surnames Schmahle, Schmal, Schmaal, Schmaehl, Schmaehlen, Schmale, Schmadel, Schmaehler, and Schmahlen are all believed to have a common origin. It is thought to have been derived from the Middle High German word “schmale,” meaning “skinny” or “slim.” It is likely that the surname was used to indicate the physique of its bearer.
The surname Schmalz is thought to originate from a similar Middle High German word, ‘schmalc’, which means “lard” or “grease.” It is believed to have been used to describe a large or heavy-set person.
The spelling Schmall or Small is likely derived from the English word ‘small’, which originated from the Latin ‘smallus’, meaning “little.” It is possible that the surname was used as a nickname suggesting a small stature or size.
Though all of these surnames are believed to originate from similar words, the spelling and pronunciation of Schmahle is found most often in Germany, Luxembourg, and Dutch-speaking regions.
Famous people with the name Schmahle
- Justin Schmahle: professional baseball player
- John H. Schmahle: 19th century politician
- Johann Schmahle: German baritone opera singer
- Maximilian Schmahle: German Romantic painter and lithographer
- Heribert Schmahle: German physicist
- Jorge Schmahle: Brazilian executive and policy strategist
- Christof Schmahle: German-American media executive
- Daniel Schmahle: German-American football and baseball coach
- Nicholas Schmahle: American figure skater and coach
- Johann Schmahle Boerger: 19th century politician