Surname Schmedtke - Meaning and Origin
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Schmedtke: What does the surname Schmedtke mean?
The last name Schmedtke is a German surname believed to have originated in the 15th century. It is thought to have originally meant "a person who works with steel." This was perhaps because of a craft involving metalworking or because the family may have worked in the mining industry.
The name Schmedtke has likely evolved over time and may now have more than one meaning. In modern German, it is commonly interpreted to mean "smart or clever." The name Schmedtke can also refer to someone who is "crafty," or particularly skillful at completing a task.
Historically, Schmedtke was a relatively common surname among German families. Today, it can be found in many countries around the world. In Germany, it is associated with a few distinct locations, mainly the former Bavarian state, the former Prussian province, and East Germany, although there are a few other scattered cases in different regions.
The Schmedtke name is also associated with various other toponyms, or place names, that may have served as early homes of the family. Possible locations may include Schmedtken in Upper Franconia, Schmiedten in Schleswig-Holstein, and Schmedau in Pomerania.
Generally speaking, Schmedtke families were often known for their hardworking and resourceful nature, and strong values like loyalty and courage. Throughout the centuries, these values have been passed down between generations, making this an enduring legacy of the Schmedtke name.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmedtke: Where does the name Schmedtke come from?
The last name Schmedtke is very common today, predominately in Germany and other German-speaking countries. It is also found in the United States and other countries with large ethnic German populations, such as Canada and the United Kingdom.
According to records kept by Forebears, the surname Schmedtke is currently most common in Germany, where it ranks as the 4,975th most common surname. It is most common in the states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schleswig-Holstein, and Brandenburg. In addition, it is the 63,545th most common surname in the United States and the 159,217th most common surname in the United Kingdom.
In general, the last name Schmedtke is derived from the German word “schmied”, which translates to “smith”. As such, the surname likely refers to an ancestor who was a blacksmith and/or lived near a forge. It is also possible that the surname is derived from a place called Schmedtke and could have been the family’s original hometown.
Regardless, the Schmedtke family can trace their ancestry back to the Middle Ages, as records dating back to the 1300s indicate the presence of the surname in various parts of Germany. Today, the last name is found in many countries across the world, with Germany and the United States being the two countries where it is most prevalent.
Variations of the surname Schmedtke
The surname Schmedtke is German in origin. Variants of this surname include Schmedke, Schmedtk, Schmedtke, Schmedte, Schmedt and Schmed. Variations in the spelling of the surname can be found throughout its history. Common spellings of Schmedtke include Schmittke and Schmedtk. It can also be found as Schmidke, Schmedtgen and Schmittgen.
Many surnames are derived from given names and Schmedtke is no different; the surname is derived from the personal name “Schmidt”, derived from the Germanic name “Schmitt’. Other surnames derived from Schmidt include Schnieder, Schneider, Schmitt and Schwarz.
Schmedtke is a patronymic surname, which means it was created from a parent’s first name and usually added a suffix, such as “ke”, signifying “little”. This suffix has been added to the Schmedtke surname to indicate that a parent is descended from Schmidt.
The Schmedtke surname is found in several countries with a language or cultural heritage that includes German, such as Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and parts of the United States. This surname is also found in countries such as South Africa, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, which have large German and/or Dutch immigrant populations.
In Germany, most people with the Schmedtke surname live in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. In the United States, it is most common in Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio. In Canada, the Schmedtke surname is most commonly found in Ontario and Alberta.
In conclusion, the Schmedtke surname has many variants in spelling and several surnames of the same origin. It can be found in multiple countries throughout Europe, America and the British Commonwealth, with most Schmedtkes living in Germany, the United States and Canada.
Famous people with the name Schmedtke
- Jens Schmedtke: President of VfL Wolfsburg.
- Hans-Werner Schmedtke: former Chairman of the Board of Management of KarstadtQuelle AG.
- Brigitte Schmedtke: former Head of Human Resources and Controlling at T-Systems.
- Heiko Schmedtke: former Director of Sport at 1. FC Köln.
- Silke Schmedtke: German author and screenwriter.
- Martin Schmedtke: Former Head of Sport at 1. FC Köln.
- Klaus Schmedtke: Former 1 Bundesliga Manager at Hertha BSC.
- Frank Schmedtke: Former Head of Sport at SC Paderborn.
- Julian Schmedtke: German footballer currently playing for Würzburger Kickers.
- Andreas Schmedtke: former professional footballer and coach, who is currently the assistant coach to Mundinho Falcão at FK Qarabag.