Surname Schmidke - Meaning and Origin
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Schmidke: What does the surname Schmidke mean?
The last name Schmidke derives from German surnames that incorporate the prefix “Schmidt,” which comes from the Middle High German word "schmidt," meaning "smith or metalworker." As such, the Schmidke surname is believed to have originally referred to a metalworking profession such as blacksmith, armorer, or weaponsmith.
The Schmidke coat of arms is believed to feature a blacksmith, displaying strength and hard work. It is also thought to include imagery of a hammer and anvil, two of the most industrial tools used by a blacksmith.
The Schmidke name is also derived from the German words for “peaceful” and “man,” implying that the bearer of the name is a peaceful individual who is known for their reliability and loyalty.
The Schmidke name is also interpreted as “God’s little man” or “a small man chosen by God.” This interpretation of the name pays homage to the strong religious history in Germany and is derived from the Low German phrase “Gottesmennsch.”
Today, the Schmidke surname is mostly found in parts of Germany, but also in other areas across Europe and countries such as the United States. In the US alone, Schmidke is the 13,528th most common surname in population size, with over 1,600 individuals.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmidke: Where does the name Schmidke come from?
The last name Schmidke is most commonly found in Germany, it has been noted that the name is most common in the northern part of the country, like the states of Brandenburg and Berlin. The name can also be seen in smaller numbers in the surrounding countries of Austria, Czech Republic and Poland. It is believed that the name originates from the region around Nuremberg in Bavaria from as early as the 12th century.
The name Schmidke is a patronymic surname, which means that it is derived from the given name of the father, Schmid, or Smith. This can indicate that the ancestors of the family were blacksmiths or horseshoe makers by trade or that it was a name given to the children of a smith generationally.
Today, the last name Schmidke is still a widespread surname across Germany, Austria and surrounding countries. It can be seen among people working in various professions, from academics to musicians, and many families have kept the name since slavery was abolished. The name can also be regularly found in German records, and with the numerous immigration records available, it isn’t hard to trace the history of the name’s usage over time.
Variations of the surname Schmidke
The surname Schmidke is a German name derived from the Old High German word ‘schmitte’, which means ‘blacksmith’. As such, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the name Schmidke would most likely include ‘Schmidt’, ‘Schmitz’, ‘Smith’, ‘Schmied’, ‘Smidt’, ‘Schmiedel’, ‘Schmedel’, ‘Schmiedt’, ‘Schmeidt’, ‘Smiet’, ‘Smitte’, ‘Schmeidke’, and ‘Schmidtke’.
In addition, the name can also be spelled as ‘Schmiidke’ or ‘Schmiidtke’. This is the most common spelling of the name as seen in several documents of the time in Germany. Other variants of the name may include ‘Schmiedk’, ‘Schmeidk’, ‘Schmeidkel’, ‘Schmiekel’, ‘Schmidtkel’, ‘Schmidkel’, ‘Schmidtke’, ‘Schmidt’, ‘Schmittke’, and ‘Schmidtkeh’.
The surname can also be found spelled as ‘Smidke’, ‘Schmid’ and ‘Schmiedeke’. It is also known to have been spelled as ‘Smitke’, ‘Schmiedtke’, ‘Schmitke’, ‘Schmeitke’, and ‘Shmidke’. The name ‘Schmidtgens’ is also a variant with the same origins of the Schmidke family.
Alternative surnames with the same origin include ‘Schmider’, ‘Schraub’, ‘Scheithauer’, ‘Schmeit’, ‘Schlieker’, ‘Schmeit’, ‘Schmeltzer’, and ‘Schmeling’. It is also known to have been spelled as ‘Schmitzer’, ‘Schmeling’, ‘Schulte’, ‘Schult’, ‘Schubert’, and ‘Schulte-Schmid’.
Overall, the surnames Schmidke, Schmiedke, Schmeidke, Smith and Schmidt are all very closely related, and can all be traced back to the same Old High German origin.
Famous people with the name Schmidke
- Franz Schmidke: German footballer
- Jan Schmidke: former German footballer
- Max Schmidke: German performance coach
- Walther Schmidke: artist
- Doug Schmidke: comedian
- Oscar Schmidke: film producer
- Christian Schmidke: German composer
- Michael Schmidke: comedian
- Volker Schmidke: German sprinter
- Heinrich Schmidke: German classical composer