Surname Schmedke - Meaning and Origin
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Schmedke: What does the surname Schmedke mean?
The last name Schmedke can trace its roots back to Germany. The name is thought to be a variation on the German family name Schmedeken, which originated in the region of Schleswig-Holstein. The name is derived from the German word “Schmutz” which means dirt or filth. The name was first used as a derogatory term for people who lived in a messy home or for those who weren't clean and tidy. Over time, the family name was adopted by people who were considered cleaner and more organized, and thus the name Schmedke became more widely accepted in Germany.
The name Schmedke is not particularly common, but those of German ancestry are more likely to bear the name. It is thought to have been borne by a few families throughout Germany’s history, so it is likely that some of the families bearing the name are related.
The name Schmedke is associated with qualities such as being responsible, clean, organized, and having strong morals. People with the name may be seen as a bit of a perfectionist, but they are also reliable and will do whatever it takes to get the job done. They may also be considered trustworthy and reliable, with an aptitude for detail-oriented tasks. Ultimately, those with the name Schmedke are likely to be seen as dependable, conscientious, and hardworking.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmedke: Where does the name Schmedke come from?
The last name Schmedke is most common in Germany today, particularly in the northern part of the country. In fact, the Office of the Federal Register of Germany lists it as the 7,672nd most common German surname. The name appears to originate in Germany, as the variations Schmeetke, Schmiedke, and Schmiedtke appear to have their roots there.
Immigrants brought the surname to America in the 19th century, particularly to the midwestern states. Today, Schmedke is the 12,126th most common surname in the United States, according to the US Census Bureau. The states in which it is most common include Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Schmedke is also fairly common in Australia. The Australian Bureau of Statistics lists it as the 2,561st most common Australian surname, which suggests a large number of German immigrants arrived in Australia in the 19th century. It is also present in a few other countries, and appears to be spoken primarily in German in all locations.
Variations of the surname Schmedke
Schmedke is a German surname of uncertain origin. It is also found with various variants, spellings and other surnames of the same origin.
Variants of the surname Schmedke include Schmedeke, Schmiedke, Smiedek, Schmeede, Schmedke, Schmedtke, Schmedteke and Schmeideke. These variants of the surname tend to be found throughout the German speaking states.
Surnames of the same origin as Schmedke include Schemedke, Schmeide, Scheidke, Scheedke, Schedtke, Schiedman, Schiedel, Schaid and Schijdeman. These surnames are all derived from the Middle High German “Schmid” which meant blacksmith and often identified a skilled craftsman.
Some other variants of the surname include Schmidke, Schmiedt, Schmedtkemper, Schmeidkemper and Schmeidker. These variants are derived from the German “Schmied” which was a term for an unskilled metalworker or smith.
Lastly, some other surnames of the same origin include Schmandke, Schmiedbauer, Schmiedel, Schmieder and Schmiedl. These variants are derived from Old Czech (Bohemian) and Old German “Schmied” and often mean smith.
In conclusion, there are many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as the surname Schmedke. These variants and other surnames of the same origin can be found throughout the German speaking states and are derived from terms which refer to metalworking.
Famous people with the name Schmedke
- Caroline Schmedke: German soprano and mezzo soprano.
- Richard Schmedke: German journalist and writer.
- Alfred Schmedke: German politician and former member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).
- Karl Schmedke: German politician, former member of the South Schleswig Voters' Association.
- Hubert Schmedke: German musicologist and lawyer.
- Thomas Schmedke: German painter and sculptor.
- Monika Schmedke: German politician, former member of the Free Democratic Party of Germany.
- Jakob Schmedke: German politician, former member of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU).
- Nancy Schmedke: American painter and sculptor.
- Malcolm Schmedke: Canadian actor and voice actor.