Surname Schmale - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schmale: What does the surname Schmale mean?
The last name Schmale is of German origin, meaning a person who lives near a steep slope. This surname was most commonly found in the regions of Southern Germany. Generally, this region was known for its farming industry and many families using the Schmale surname lived a rural lifestyle.
The Schmales were among some of the few families which resided in the more mountainous region of Germany. Given the steep nature of the land surrounding them, it is likely that the Schmale family adopted the occupational title of being a "mountain farmer". Oftentimes, mountain farmers with the Schmale surname would work together in order to maximize their agricultural output, as the land was too steep for one individual to tend to.
This practical use of the land is reflected in the name itself. The literal translation of Schmale is narrow or slim, likely referring to the slim, steep slopes that were seen throughout Germany. Over time, this name would become synonymous with small-scale farming in the region and the Schmale family would become known as skilled mountain farmers.
Today, the Schmale surname is still relatively prominent in Germany and many of those individuals that carry this surname can trace their ancestors back to the original mountain farmers that settled in Southern Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmale: Where does the name Schmale come from?
The last name Schmale is most commonly found today in Germany, but can also be located in other countries around the world. In Germany, about 21,000 people carry the name, and it is among the top 5,000 most popular surnames. In the United States, Schmale is much less common, with less than 1,000 people with the name. However, it is found in the top 100,000 last names.
In addition to Germany and the US, Schmale can be found in various other countries around the world. Other countries where Schmale is present include Australia, South Africa, Canada, and France. The greatest numbers are found in Germany, as mentioned above, however, it is also found in smaller numbers in various other countries.
It is likely that the origins of the Schmale name can be traced back to Germany, where it is still the most common. The name was likely brought to other countries due to German immigration, especially to the United States in the early 1900s. Today, the name Schmale is mostly associated with Germany, though it can be found in various countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Schmale
The surname Schmale is of German origin and its variants come from different regions of Germany. The most common variants are Schmal, Schmahl, Schmehl, Schmee, Schmel, Schmall, and Schmelz.
The spelling of the surname Schmale can also vary depending on the language or region of origin. For example, the variant Schmahl is common in the northern regions of Germany, but in southern regions, it may be spelled Schmehl. This is because the largely northern dialects often dropped the "e" in the spelling of this surname. Similarly, the variant Schmee is common in some eastern regions of Germany, but in other regions would be written as Schmehl.
The surname Schmale is also found in other countries throughout Europe, often with slightly changed spellings, such as Smal, Smael, Smel, Smell, Small, Smelz, Smil, Smilz, and Smul.
In addition, people with the surname Schmale may appear in records with surnames derived from occupational backgrounds. For example, the names Schmied (blacksmith) or Schmieder (smith) are derived from the same root and refer to someone working as a smith. Similarly, the names Schmuck (jeweler) and Schmacht (butcher) are derived from the same root and refer to someone in those occupational roles.
In summary, the surname Schmale has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variations come from the different regions of Germany as well as from occupational-based derivatives.
Famous people with the name Schmale
- James Schmale: Former Member of the Canadian Parliament from 1966 to 2004.
- Susan Schmale: American columnist and professor of English at the University of Nebraska Lincoln.
- Reinhard Schmale: German pilot and engineer who set a world altitude record in 1958.
- John Schmale: American politician and member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1977 to 2000. 5. Sandy Schmale: American swimmer who won a bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
- Gary Schmale: Former NFL running back who played for the New England Patriots from 1982 to 1984.
- Jeffrey Schmale: Former National Basketball Association player who played for the Dallas Mavericks from 2007 to 2010.
- Carlos Schmale: Argentine footballer who plays as a midfielder and is currently with the Club Atletico Talleres.
- Jeanette Schmale: German figure skater who won a silver medal at the 1987 World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
- Rob Schmale: Canadian lightweight rower who won a silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics.