Surname Schmeltzpfenning - Meaning and Origin

Schmeltzpfenning: What does the surname Schmeltzpfenning mean?

The last name Schmeltzpfenning has German roots and is likely derived from the words ‘schmelz’ meaning to melt and ‘pfennig’ which is a German coin. This suggests the surname may have originated as a name for a metal-worker or money lender.

The original German spelling of the name was ‘Schmeltzpfenning’, though over time the spelling has often changed depending on the dialect used by the bearer and their ancestry. This has resulted in many variations of the surname being used including Schmeltzpfenig, Schmaltzpfenning, Shmeltzpfenning, Shmaltzpfenning and Schmeltzpfening.

The surname is most commonly found in the USA, Australia and some parts of Germany and Austria where it has been passed down for many generations. Records suggest the earliest known bearer of the name, Johannes Schmeltzpfenning, was living in Aachen, Germany in 1707.

In general, the last name Schmeltzpfenning conjures images of the traditional German industries of metal-working and money-lending. It is usually seen as a light-hearted and cheerful name.

Schmeltzpfenning: Where does the name Schmeltzpfenning come from?

The last name Schmeltzpfenning is predominantly found in Germany. Specifically, it is most common in the western region of the country, particularly in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Hesse. According to the 1990 German Census, the name was recorded by nearly 2,000 people, suggesting a relatively sizable population at that time.

The first recorded instance of the name Schmeltzpfenning dates back to 1583 and originated in North Rhine-Westphalia. As the name has been present in the region for centuries, its presence remains strong. In fact, many of the present-day Schmeltzpfenning descendants still live there and, in some cases, still reside in the same small towns their ancestors inhabited centuries ago.

It is also thought that some of the original Schmeltzpfennings may have migrated to the United States, though records are scarce. There are a few records of the name in the 1820s, though no significant population of Schmeltzpfennings in the United States was ever established.

Outside of Germany, the name Schmeltzpfenning is relatively uncommon and is not especially prominent in other European countries. However, its presence in its homeland is still strong, so it is likely to remain a relatively common name in the western parts of Germany for generations to come.

Variations of the surname Schmeltzpfenning

Schmeltzpfenning is a German surname meaning "melting penny". Variants of this surname in German include Schmelzpfenning, Schmelzpfenig, Schmeltzenpfenning, Schmölzpfenning, and Schmölzpfennig. In Yiddish, the variant is Schmelzpfening.

Spellings of the same origin include Schmultsfuffin, Shmaltzspfenning, Schmultsdaphnign, and Schnmaltzpfennig. Surnames of the same origin include Smidapfenning, Shmaltzfenig, Smoltzfenning, and Shmaltzpfenig.

The Schmeltzpfenning surname has a long history in Germany and is believed to be of Jewish origin. It is mostly found in Southern Germany, Alsace, and Austria. It may be related to an Old German personal name, Schneider, which means "tailor". The root word for Schmeltzpfenning, "melting," may refer to the process of melting coins in order to make the money used for a purchase within the tailor's trade.

Schmeltzpfenning is not a common surname these days, but there are still people who carry it. As German surnames go, Schmeltzpfenning is quite unique and will likely remain that way for many years to come.

Famous people with the name Schmeltzpfenning

• Isabella Schmeltzpfenning, actress
• Marie Schmeltzpfenning, German princess
• Johann Schmeltzpfenning, German botanist
• Almut Schmeltzpfenning, German politician
• Heinrich Schmeltzpfenning, German engineer
• Franz Schmeltzpfenning, German physicist
• Ludwig Schmeltzpfenning, German inventor
• Eugen Schmeltzpfenning, German painter
• Karl Schmeltzpfenning, German count
• Oskar Schmeltzpfenning, German mineralogist

Other surnames

Schmeltzpfennig