Surname Schmideke - Meaning and Origin
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Schmideke: What does the surname Schmideke mean?
The last name Schmideke is a German surname of occupational origin. It derived from the German words 'schmied' and 'ke', which mean 'smith' and 'little'. So the surname essentially means 'little smith'.
This suggests that the original bearer of the name was a blacksmith, or someone else who worked in a similar profession. It is also possible that the surname bearer was simply a person of short stature. This was often the case with surnames derived from the word 'ke', meaning 'little'.
It is likely that the Schmideke family originated in Germany and migrated to other areas of Europe. Today, many people with the Schmideke surname can be found in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and the United States of America.
The Schmideke surname is an important piece of history, as it highlights the importance of metalworking in the development of society. In an era where tools and weapons were largely fabricated through a closely-guarded process, the need for skilled blacksmiths was great, and the Schmideke family was part of the legacy of these hard-working individuals.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmideke: Where does the name Schmideke come from?
The last name Schmideke is most commonly found in the countries of Germany and North America. In Germany, Schmideke is considered a rare surname, but is most concentrated in the country’s northern states, including Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. In North America, the last name Schmideke can be found in many areas, most notably in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Australia, and Brazil.
In the United States, the last name Schmideke is most widely found in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, California, and Illinois. Pennsylvania is home to the highest concentration of Schmidekes with nearly triple the amount of any other state. Schmideke’s commonly living in the United States are primarily descendants of German immigrants who first settled in America in the 1800s.
In Canada, the last name Schmideke is most common in Ontario with significantly fewer living in the other provinces. As with the United States, Canadian Schmidekes overwhelmingly originate from German heritage and Catholic faith, and are concentrated mainly in the city of Toronto.
Elsewhere in the world, there are reports of pockets of Schmidekes living in Argentina, Australia, and Brazil. It is unclear why these countries in particular have populations of Schmidekes, although the descendants of early German immigrants may be the cause.
Overall, the last name Schmideke is generally more common in Germany and North America, although small communities of Schmidekes can be found in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Schmideke
The surname Schmideke is believed to have originated in Germany and is still predominantly found in Germany today. The surname Schmideke is an essay German name. Alternate spellings and variants of the surname include Schmiedke, Schmeideke, and Schmeiedke.
Some other related surnames are Schmiedecke, Schmedecke, Schmeidke, Schmiedek, Schmedek, and Schmeidek. All of these surnames may have originated from German first names that were derived from the words “smide”, “schmied”, and “kuhle”, meaning smith.
Although the surname Schmideke is not typically found outside of Germany, there are some variations of the name that have spread beyond the borders of Germany. Some examples of alternate spellings of the surname that may be found in other countries include Schmiedike, Schmidik, Schmiedik, and Schmedik.
The surname Schmideke is quite common in Germany. It is estimated that there are around 8,700 people with the surname living there today. There are also some individuals with the surname who have immigrated to other countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. While the surname may have many variants, its Germanic roots remain the same regardless of the spelling.
Famous people with the name Schmideke
- Jens Schmideke: Jens Schmideke is a contemporary German-Jewish media artist, photographer, director and documentary filmmaker. He is an independent filmmaker, his documentary films have been acclaimed at festivals worldwide, and his artistic photography works have been exhibited in numerous exhibitions.
- Erich Schmideke: Erich Schmideke was a German gymnast who competed at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. He competed and won a bronze medal in the men's combined exercise.
- Gunther Schmideke: Gunther Schmideke is a German fashion designer. He has designed for various high-end fashion labels including D&G and Christian Dior.
- Kurt Schmideke: Kurt Schmideke was a German film director. He is best known for his work in the German silent era and directing the German silent film, Die Nacht die Nie Endet (The Night that never ends).
- Vivian Schmideke: Vivian Schmideke is a German lawyer and activist. She is legal counsel for the Central Council of Jews in Germany and an outspoken advocate for human rights.
- Frank Schmideke: Frank Schmideke was a German footballer who primarily played in the Bundesliga in the 70s and 80s. He was known for his work ethic and dedication to the sport, becoming one of the most beloved Bundesliga players of his time.