Surname Schmalbein - Meaning and Origin
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Schmalbein: What does the surname Schmalbein mean?
The last name Schmalbein is a German-origin name derived from the early Middle Ages when people assumed surnames to distinguish themselves from others in their communities. The root of the name may have been “schmal,” which in Old High German meant thin or slender. It may have been applied to someone who was thin or of below-average weight, an occupational nickname for someone involved in weaving, or simply as a physical characterization of an individual.
The surnames Schmalbein, Schilling, and Schmehl are related in origin and possibly from the same ancestors. Each of the three names were derived from the early “schmal” root and were added to words meaning either coins (Schilling) or mill (Schmehl). Since Schmalbein does not have this addition, some believe it was simply a nickname for someone thin or slender.
The presence of this surname in different parts of Germany today is an indication that either it has been passed down through the generations or it has been taken on by individuals in search of a unique identity. It is possible that with the many migrations of Germans throughout Europe over the past centuries, the name spread and gradually evolved into various spellings.
Today, there are several locations in Germany which may be associated with people having the surname Schmalbein. These locations include Poppenhausen, Nordrhein Westfalen, and Wrissenberg, Saxony. Hence, the German origin and various spellings of the surname can be seen as evidence of its longevity.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmalbein: Where does the name Schmalbein come from?
The last name Schmalbein is most commonly found in Germany. It is believed to originate from northern German regions such as Saxony and Brandenburg. The name would have been derived from the German words “schmal” (thin) and “Bein” (leg) and therefore was originally used as a nickname for a thin person.
As of the most recent data, this surname is primarily located in the south central portion of Germany, specifically Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland Palatinate and Lower Saxony.
Today the Schmalbein name is still alive and well in Germany. It is believed that there are around 50,000 living Schmalbein’s in the Germany today.
The Schmalbein name can also be found on a much smaller scale all over the world. This is most likely due to the popular migration of German families in the 1800s when they sought better job opportunities and life in other countries. In the 2000 US census, 961 people named Schmalbein were counted as living in the United States.
The Schmalbein name will continue to live on in Germany and further around the world. As the people bearing the name strive to better themselves and the lives of those around them, this surname won’t soon become extinct.
Variations of the surname Schmalbein
The surname Schmalbein has its origin in the German language and is a combination of the words "schmal" meaning "narrow" and "Bein" meaning "leg". The name is connected to a physical attribute such as slender legs and has become a common surname in Germany and in many countries around the world with a German population.
Variants of this surname include Schmalbien, Schmalbeen, Schmallbeen, Schmalbeen, Schmallein, Schmalleene, Schmalbein, Schmalbine, Smallbein, Smalbein, Smallbine and Smallbeen. Some variants of this surname have begun to be adapted to other languages, such as Spanish, in which it is written as Pequeñoplata, meaning “small leg”.
Spelling variations of the same surname are Schmalban, Schmalbaen, Schmalbain, Schmalbaan, Schmalbanyn, Schmalbean, Schmalbeanie, Schmalbaime, Schmillbin and Schmillbinne.
The surname can also take on other forms such as Smallbenne and Smallbinne. It can also be shortened to Malben, Malbeen, Malbin, Malbine, or Malbene.
The surname Schmalbein is also sometimes seen as Sthalbein or Schthallein.
There are a few surnames which were likely derived from Schmalbein, such as Schmalbin, Schmalbina, Schmalbine, Schmalbinne, Schmalbinny, and Schmalbeeny.
Famous people with the name Schmalbein
- Siana Schmalbein, an American model and beauty pageant titleholder active in the 2000s.
- Lillian Schmalbein, an American actress from the early 20th century who appeared in silent films.
- Louie Schmalbein, an American born football player who played in the National Football League in the 1950s.
- Richard Schmalbein, a German born football coach at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in the 1990s.
- William Schmalbein, a Danish born artist and sculptor active in the early 20th century.
- Emma Schmalbein, an American born author of children's literature active in the 1940s.
- Jake Schmalbein, an American actor, director and screenwriter from the early 2000s.
- Berthold Schmalbein, an Austrian born composer active in the late 19th century.
- David Schmalbein, an American born painter and illustrator active in the early 20th century.
- Carl Schmalbein, a German mathematician and physicist who studied the behavior of gases in the 1840s.