Surname Schmedes - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schmedes: What does the surname Schmedes mean?
The last name Schmedes is of German origin, and likely began as a nickname for an individual. It is derived from the word "schmied" meaning smith, referring to a blacksmith or other metalworker. It suggests the first person to assume the name was a blacksmith or metalworker, or someone who showed characteristics associated with these roles -- such as strength, competence and reliability. The Schmedes name has been found mainly in northern Germany, bordering the Netherlands and Denmark, since the 17th century.
During that period, last names often began as nicknames that evolved into proper surnames. In this case, the surname "Schmedes" arose because the ancestors of the Schmedes family were associated with the smith trade. Over time, the Schmedes name moved south and slowly spread throughout Europe.
More recently, the Schmedes family can be found with descendants living in the USA. The common Americanized spelling is "Schmiedes," though other variants exist. Although spelling may have changed slightly over centuries, the name Schmedes or Schmiedes remains associated with the trades of the blacksmith and metalworker, illustrating the loyalty and hard work within the Schmedes family.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmedes: Where does the name Schmedes come from?
The last name Schmedes is common mainly in Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. It is also found in countries with German immigration, notably the United States, Brazil, France, Uruguay, and Canada.
According to the US Census Bureau, over 11,000 people living in the United States bear the last name Schmedes, making it the 10,074th most common last name in the country. Most US Schmedes families come from Germany, where it is a variation of the surname Schmid.
Meanwhile, the most populous Schmedes-inhabited region in Germany is the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where it is the 5,043rd most common surname, taken by over 6,000 people. In Austria, Schmedes is the 13,250th most common surname, found mainly in the state of Vienna. In the Netherlands, it is the 8,244th most popular last name with over 2,000 people bearing it.
As such, the last name Schmedes appears to have originated in Germany and is most common in Germany and other countries in the European Union. However, it is also well-represented in countries such as the United States and Brazil, where there is a significant German immigrant population.
Variations of the surname Schmedes
The surname Schmedes is of German origin. The variants of the surname are Schmedding, Schmidting, Schmeiding, Schmedding, Schmeddings, Schmiedings, as well as Schmieds and Schmitts. All the variants of this name are derived from a common ancestor.
The spelling is typically Schmedes, but the name can also be spelled as Schmedding, Schmidting, Schmeiding, Schmeddings, and Schmiedings. The ‘sc’ is a German letter that can be pronounced as ‘sh’ or ‘sk’, so the surname is most commonly pronounced ‘sh-medes’ or ‘sk-medes’.
The Schmedes surname has many surnames of the same origin. These include Schmedding, Schmidting, Schmeiding, Schmeddings, Schmiedings, Schmieds, Schmitts and Schmedding, as well as other variants such Smeding, Smidedings, and Smitts.
The Schmedes surname may also be found in other countries, such as Belgium and Holland, but the spelling may differ. In Belgium, the surname is often seen spelled as Smiteding and in Holland, it is often seen spelled as Schmedsin.
Overall, the Schmedes surname is a German name that is derived from a common ancestor. The spelling of the surname can vary, and there are many different surnames of the same origin that are derived from the same root name.
Famous people with the name Schmedes
- Elias Schmedes: Elias Schmedes is a professional singer and classical baritone who has performed on stages such as the Metropolitan Opera and the Vienna State Opera. He has also released multiple acclaimed solo albums.
- August Schmedes: August Schmedes was a German classical composer who is most well known for his cantata "Der 109. Psalm". He also composed numerous other vocal works, piano pieces, and orchestral works.
- Johannes Schmedes: Johannes Schmedes is a German architect who is most well known for his designs for the New Westphalian State Theatre in Münster and the Republican Teachers' College in Düsseldorf. He also designed residential buildings in Würselen.
- Alfons Schmedes: Alfons Schmedes was a German Anglistics professor and author who wrote multiple books about the English language. He also translated several literary works from English to German.
- Martin Schmedes: Martin Schmedes is a professional photographer who is most well known for his nature and outdoor photography. He has had his work featured in international magazines and his solo exhibitions have toured around the world.
- Gerhard Schmedes: Gerhard Schmedes is a professor of Cultural Studies and Religious Studies at the University of Marburg. He is most renowned for his research and work in the field of Early Christian, Jewish and Islamic Literature.
- Ludwig Schmedes: Ludwig Schmedes was a German Nazi concentration camp guard during World War II who was convicted for his actions in Nuremberg and sentenced to death.