Surname Schmalenberg - Meaning and Origin
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Schmalenberg: What does the surname Schmalenberg mean?
The last name Schmalenberg is of German origin, and is derived from the composite words "schmal" and "berg," which literally mean "narrow mountain" in the German language. The name is thought to have first been used to describe the region of a narrow mountain in Westphalia, Germany.
In ancient Germany, people often took the name of their native regions, and the first recorded use of Schmalenberg is found in 1350. The name likely refers to a narrow mountain in the region, such as the Harz Mountains.
People with the last name Schmalenberg are thought to be descendents of the Schmalenberg family, which first appeared in the 1350s in Germany. Records show that a man named Johannes Schmalenberg was born in the town of Vlotho in the 1620s, making him one of the earliest known people to bear the Schmalenberg name.
The Schmalenberg last name is still common in Germany today, as it has been used for many generations. People with the Schmalenberg last name can also be found in the United States, as the family moved there in the late 19th century.
Overall, the name Schmalenberg signifies a long-standing family background in Germany. It is an unusual last name, and it is indicative of a deep-rooted connection to a particular region of Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmalenberg: Where does the name Schmalenberg come from?
The last name Schmalenberg is found today primarily in Germany, although it can be found in other countries due to emigration. Its most prevalent region is the state of Lower Saxony in northwestern Germany, specifically the Rhine-Westphalia region near the Dutch border.
In Lower Saxony, Schmalenberg is most frequently found in rural and semi-rural communities in the northern and western regions of the state. This includes the cities of Bielefeld, Münster, Detmold, and Bad Oeynhausen, as well as other smaller towns.
The name Schmalenberg likely originates from the Middle High German “Schmale”, which means “narrow” or “slender”. It is not uncommon for people to adjust their last name to reference the geographical area in which they live, and this is likely what happened with Schmalenberg; the name has been adjusted to reflect the topography of the area, which is characterized by relatively narrow valleys that are located in between the hills of the Teutoburg Forest.
In addition to Germany, Schmalenberg can also be found in other countries in Europe, such as England, France, and the Netherlands, due to emigration. It has also spread to other countries further afield, particularly the United States, Australia, and Brazil, due to further migration.
Overall, Schmalenberg is a fairly rare name. However, there are still a significant number of people bearing it in Germany and other countries of the world today.
Variations of the surname Schmalenberg
The surnames Schmalenberg, Schmalenberger, Schmalenburgh and Schmalenbergheim may all have the same origin. The name Schmalenberg may have appeared as early as the 13th century, with variations appearing throughout the centuries. All of these variations likely derive from the root word "schmal," meaning narrow, as well as "berg," meaning mountain.
The variations of Schmalenberg can be found in various records dating throughout the Middle Ages and beyond. For example, Schmalenberg, recorded in 1690, was employed as a family name in the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany. Additionally, in the records of the Dutch province of Guelderland, Schmalenberger was mentioned as early as 1688.
Furthermore, Schmalenburgh and Schmalenbergheim were used in the Gothic area during this time period. Schmalenburgh was documented in the German state of Baden in 1539, and Schmalenbergheim appeared in records in the 1700s in the village of Freinsheim in Rhineland-Palatinate.
In America, the surname Schmalenberger has been documented since the late 1700s, with the earliest documented mention being in 1794. The variations Schmalenburgh, Schmalenberg and Schmalenbergheim can also be found in the records of some American states during this time.
In conclusion, the surnames Schmalenberg, Schmalenberger, Schmalenburgh and Schmalenbergheim all have roots in the Middle Ages and have likely been in use since then. The variations of the name likely derive from "schmal" and "berg," meaning narrow and mountain, respectively. Although the exact origin of the name is unknown, the surnames have been commonly used in America, Germany and the Netherlands since the 1600s and 1700s.
Famous people with the name Schmalenberg
- Ernest Schmalenberg: was an author, newspaper cartoonist, and civil engineer from Nebraska.
- Kathryn Schmalenberg: American volleyball player who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
- Bruce Schmalenberg: former professional baseball player who played outfield from 1981 to 1987.
- William Schmalenberg: New Jersey-based businessman, philanthropist, and real estate developer.
- Lynne Schmalenberg: fashion executive, active in the Women’s Business Leadership Council.
- Ernest H. Schmalenberg: American WWI fighter ace and recipient of the French Croix de Guerre.
- Molly Schmalenberg: former CEO of Smart Business Strategies, an international Author, & Leadership Trainer
- Diane Schmalenberg: former Alaska State legislator and former mayor of Dillingham.
- Johannes Schmalenberg: German born sculptor known for his life-sized bronze and granite statuary.
- Michael Schmalenberg: world champion figure skater and long track speed skater.