Surname Schmallenberg - Meaning and Origin

Schmallenberg: What does the surname Schmallenberg mean?

The surname Schmallenberg is of German origin, with the meaning deriving from a place called Schmallenberg in western Germany.

Schmallenberg is an old German term, derived from the old German words 'smal' and 'berg', meaning 'narrow mountain'. This refers to the narrow mountain ridge that runs through the centre of Schmallenberg, a town located in the mountainous region of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The earliest documented ancestor of the Schmallenberg family dates back to the mid-14th Century, with several public records listing the Schmallenberg family as native to the area.

The Schmallenberg surname is also common throughout other German-speaking countries in Europe, including Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands.

The Schmallenberg surname is strongly associated with the heritage of the region and is history can be traced back hundreds of years. It has continued to hold a strong connection to the communities in the region and remains a prominent part of North Rhine-Westphalia to this day.

Schmallenberg: Where does the name Schmallenberg come from?

The surname Schmallenberg is most commonly found in Germany, where it originated. It is believed to have originated from the town of Schmallenberg located in North Rhine-Westphalia, a state in Germany.

The Schmallenbergs spread outward and appear with frequency in many other European countries, including Austria, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands. They can also be traced to immigrants of Germanic descent in the United States and Canada in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The number of people bearing the Schmallenberg name in Germany today is estimated to be around 2,000. Most of them live in North Rhine-Westphalia. Other German states where the name is prevalent include Lower Saxony, Hesse, and Bavaria.

The Schmallenberg name is also found in Austria, where many people can trace their descent from an Austrian who settled in Schmallenberg in the late 19th century.

In recent years, people with the Schmallenberg surname have been popping up in non-Germanic countries, such as the United Kingdom, France, and Brazil, due to immigration, marriage, and relocation.

Variations of the surname Schmallenberg

The surname Schmallenberg is most commonly found in Germany and is a combination of two German words, ‘Schmal’ meaning narrow and ‘berg’ meaning mountain. The variants, spellings and alternative surnames derived from this include:

Schmalenberg – This is the most common variant and the alternative spelling of Schmallenberg. This spelling is still highly used in Germany.

Schmeller – This is a variant of the Schmalenberg spelling and is used mostly in the United States.

Schmallenberger – This is a surname which is derived from the Schmallenberg and is used in the US, Germany and some areas in Austria.

Smallenberg – This form is relatively uncommon and is used mostly in Germany.

Smallenberger – This is a spelling variation which is used in the US and other regions of Germany.

Smalenberger – This is a rare spelling and is not commonly used in any areas.

Semalenberger – This is a variant of Schmallenberg which has spelt the ‘s’ differently. This form is also rarely found.

Smailenberger – This is an alternative spelling which is very similar to Smalenberger, however the ‘a’ is replaced by an ‘i’. This variant is not commonly seen.

Schmelling – This spelling has become increasingly more common in Germany.

All of these variants are closely related to the Schmallenberg surname and have their origins from various German dialects and changes throughout the years.

Famous people with the name Schmallenberg

• Naomi Schmallenberg: children’s author known for her books about bullying and chronic illness.
• Henry Schmallenberg: German Lutheran theologian and former Bishop of Limburg.
• Sarah Schmallenberg: American model and Instagram influencer.
• Karl Schmallenberg: German politician and a member of the SPD, the German Social Democratic Party.
• Peter Schmallenberg: former German professional footballer who played as a defender.
• Peter Schmallenberg: former German para biathlete and four-time Paralympic champion.
• Matthias Schmallenberg: German downhill mountainbike racer and former world cup competitor for the Membrex Racing Team.
• Charles Schmallenberg: American jazz educator and clarinetist.
• Armin Schmallenberg: German TV presenter and producer known for his work on various German television programs.
• Jean Schmallenberg: American actress and theater director who appeared in several films and TV series including "General Hospital" and "The West Wing".

Other surnames

Schmallenbach