Surname Schmelger - Meaning and Origin
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Schmelger: What does the surname Schmelger mean?
The last name Schmelger is primarily of German origin. It is derived from the term Schmelchen, which means "small pieces" or "shorn down" and is an old German word for a bit or chip in woodwork or metalwork.
The name most likely originated as a nickname for someone who did small pieces of work with the aforementioned materials. When surnames became popular centuries ago, most German families adopted one according to the occupation or characteristic of one of its members.
Today, Schmelger is a unique and uncommon last name in Germany. In the United States, there are few of this last name. The people who live in America with the last name Schmelger primarily emigrated from German-speaking countries in the 17th and 18th centuries and settled mainly in Pennsylvania.
Though the origin of the name Schmelger is quite old, being derived from German roots, it is still best known for its positive character traits, such as industriousness and diligence. It is also associated with a strong sense of family values. The Schmelger family has been known to be part of a strong and supportive community that take pride in their heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmelger: Where does the name Schmelger come from?
The origin of the last name Schmelger is believed to be German. The German version of Schmelger is Schmelzer and the name is still largely associated with Germany today.
Currently, Schmelger is a fairly common last name in Germany, with a sizeable population of 2000-6000 individuals with the last name. The surname is especially well-represented in Berlin, with over 1000 individuals carrying the name in the city alone. It is also a common surname throughout the rest of Germany, as well as in Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.
In the United States, the estimated population of people with the last name Schmelger is approximately 300-400 individuals, likely over two or three generations. The highest concentrations can be found on the East Coast near Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. The majority of those bearing the Schmelger name in the US are likely German immigrants or the descendants of German immigrants.
In conclusion, the last name Schmelger is currently most heavily-represented in Germany, with a widespread presence throughout its cities and states. It is also relatively common in the United States, but with a much smaller population than in its place of origin.
Variations of the surname Schmelger
The surname Schmelger has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most obvious variants are Schmölger and Schmöllger. It’s also commonly seen in various spellings like Schmalger, Schmiegel, Schmelgarn, Schmahlger and Schmälger.
Variants of Schmelger are Schmälzger, Schmöllger, and Schmölger. The most common spelling that is distantly related to Schmelger is Schmalzgrabe. The most widespread alternative surname for Schmelger is Schmälzger.
Other variants and surnames with similar etymological origins include: Schmieder, Shutger, Gitter, Menger, Spachtel, Schmied, Schubert, Schuster, Müschen, Schinler, Schulte, and Schlotter.
The surname Schmelger also has several foreign variants. In French, it can be found under variations like Schmolge, Schmalz, Schmaltz, and Schmez. Spanish variants are Smolgle, Schwaltz, and Smelger, while in Italian it can be found under the names Smalzo, Smalga, and Scimelaz.
In Yiddish, a variant of Schmelger is Schmiel, which is a very common surname for those of Jewish descent. In Dutch, the surname Schmelger can be found under variations like Schmaltz and Schmalz. Schmollg is another variation, while in German Schmalling is also popular.
So while Schmelger is the primary spelling of this surname, by understanding the various spellings and surnames of the same origin, one is able to trace the family's roots even further.
Famous people with the name Schmelger
- David Schmelger: David Schmelger is an actor and producer known for his work in the popular feature film The Pit and the Pendulum (1991).
- Peter Schmelger: Peter Schmelger is an American pianist and composer who has released several albums including Shimmer & Flow (2009) and Music for Piano & Place (2012).
- Paul Schmelger: Paul Schmelger is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the major leagues for six years.
- Joe Schmelger: Joe Schmelger is an American cinematographer and photographer, who shot several films for independent productions and documentaries.
- John Schmelger: John Schmelger is an American drummer and record producer, specializing in pop, blues and jazz.
- Pat Schmelger: Pat Schmelger is a former American football defensive back who played for several teams in the NFL from 1987 to 1997.
- Martin Schmelger: Martin Schmelger is a German composer and musician, best known for his classical music recording, Abends in der Gasse (1989).
- Mathias Schmelger: Mathias Schmelger is an Austrian professional extreme sports athlete and base-jumper, known for his stunts in Arctic mountain environments and haunted places.
- Adam Schmelger: Adam Schmelger is an American soccer player, currently playing as a midfielder for the USL Championship club Louisville City FC.
- Bruce Schmelger: Bruce Schmelger was an American marathon runner who competed in several high-level competitions in the 1960s and 1970s.