Surname Schmahljohann - Meaning and Origin
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Schmahljohann: What does the surname Schmahljohann mean?
The last name Schmahljohann is of German origin. It is derived from two elements, “Schmal” meaning narrow or slender and “Johann” which is a German form of the name John. The combination of the two elements thus implies a person with a slender or tall figure.
The surname is most commonly found in Germany and parts of the United States of America primarily due to increased migration during the 19th century. It is uncommon in other parts of the world.
The origin of the surname is most likely found in North West Germany as the names first emerged there during the Middle Ages. During that time it served as an indicator of a person's origin and location rather than signifying a family line.
Early records of the name date back to the 14th century in several regions such as Geldem, Hessen and East Prussia. It was also recorded in documents from several churches in Swabia, Wurttemberg and West Bavaria.
By the 19th century the name had spread to other parts of the world as German immigrants spread out across the United States. Those who bore the name and their descendants are likely to have kept up the tradition of hard work and diligence which has always been associated with the Schmahljohann surname.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmahljohann: Where does the name Schmahljohann come from?
The last name Schmahljohann is most commonly found in Germany, but it can also be found in countries like United States, Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, France, and Canada. The name is quite rare, with only a few hundred bearers of the name across these various countries.
The first occurrence of the name can be traced back to Germany in the 1600s. The Schmahljohann family later migrated to North America in 1820 to the USA, with other members of the family still in Germany.
In Germany, the surname is still relatively common in the rural areas of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg and the western parts of lower Saxony. In the United States, the surname is most common in the states of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Nebraska. In the Netherlands, the name is rare outside of the Northern province of Groningen.
The surname likely originates from the old German words, "Schmahl" and "Johann". These elements roughly translate to mean, "protector of the people,” or “guardian John”. It’s possible the name was given to a prominent member of the community who acted as a protector of the people and had the Christian name John.
In conclusion, the last name Schmahljohann is most commonly found today in Germany, with other occurrences in the United States, Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, France, and Canada. The name has a strong German origin but can also be found in other countries likely due to migration patterns.
Variations of the surname Schmahljohann
The variant spellings and surnames of Schmahljohann come from the birthplace of this particular surname, which is from Germany. The variants of Schmahljohann include Smallejohn, Schmaljohn, Schemmeljohn, Schmalenjohn, Schmaltjohn, Schmaljohn, Schmalljohn, Schmalchin, Schmalon, Schmelljon, Schmehljohn, Schmehlin, Schmehlich, Schmahlin, Schmalholz, and Schmehlman.
Generally, surnames ending in -man, -mann, -ion, or -on come from Germanic cultures, and it is likely that this particular surname has been altered by regional accent, dialect, and language over the centuries. It is thought that the variation of Schmahljohann comes from the Germanic forename Schmal or Schmall, meaning "narrow".
In the 19th century, as German settlers began to move to North America, some of the alternative spellings became more commonly used. Schmaljohn and Smallejohn were amongst these variations, because as English became the primary language, the spelling of the name became more linguistically phonetic, relying on the English pronunciation of the surname and its components.
Enhanced searches of online genealogical databases, and increased access to archival records from the past, are allowing historians to trace variants of old family names. This has created a wealth of information about different spellings and branches of the same surname. As such, the use of surnames is more varied, and the origins and roots of a family surname can be more deeply explored.
Famous people with the name Schmahljohann
- Erich Schmahljohann (1896–1944), German World War I flying ace.
- Peter Schmahljohann (1922–2017), German track and field athlete.
- Franz Schmahljohann (1890–1975), German World War I flying ace.
- Dieter Schmahljohann, German footballer.
- Hedwig Schmahljohann (1874–1953), German painter.
- Karl Schmahljohann (1819–1891), German landscapist.
- Han Schmahljohann (1885–1962), German journalist and writer.
- Bernd Schmahljohann (1903–1978), German World War I flying ace.
- Beatrix Schmahljohann (born 1958), German actress.
- Christian Schmahljohann (1913–1988), German World War I flying ace.
- Kai Schmahljohann (born 1964), German footballer.
- Robert Schmahljohann (born 1967), German actor.
- Ingolf Schmahljohann (born 1962), German doctor of sports science.
- Elma Schmahljohann (born 1932), German actress.
- David Schmahljohann (born 1968), German astrophysicist.
- Erich Schmahljohann (1891-1968), German sinologist.
- Annett Schmahljohann (born 1966), German businesswoman.
- Georg Schmahljohann (1865–1947), German physicist.
- Leo Schmahljohann (1899–1980), German writer.
- Renate Schmahljohann (born 1948), German politician.