Surname Schmidmeier - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schmidmeier: What does the surname Schmidmeier mean?
The last name Schmidmeier is of German origin, originating from the Middle Ages. Originally, the name was associated with someone who was an overseer, believed to be a lower nobility.
The name Schmidmeier can be translated to mean “middle master” in English. It was an occupational name most likely held by someone who was a small-time politician or official in charge of a larger estate or higher authority.
Schmidmeier is most commonly found in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and is often spelled with the variations Schmedemeier or Schmidmeier.
Today, the name Schmidmeier is widely used as a last name. It has been seen in many cultures including those of German, African American and Jewish descent. The usage of the name suggests that it has been adopted as a surname by people of different backgrounds.
Many people with the last name Schmidmeier have come to prominence, mostly as businesspeople or government officials. These include Johann Ludwig Schmidmeier (1847–1883), a German mayor, and Kurt Schmidmeier (1915–2005), a Swiss businessman and composer.
The Schmidmeier name is a reminder of the individual’s German roots, and is considered an honor. It symbolizes strength and the freedom to pursue oneself as one deems fit.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmidmeier: Where does the name Schmidmeier come from?
The surname Schmidmeier is primarily found in Germany. More specifically, the name is most common in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, where the largest concentration is found, and Hesse. However, the name can be found in various other German states such as Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, and Rhineland-Palatinate.
Outside of Germany, Schmidmeier is much less common and can primarily be found in countries with high German ancestry such as the United States, Brazil, Argentina, and Canada. However, the name is not limited to German-speaking countries and can be found in a variety of other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Russia, and Scandinavian countries.
The surge of German immigration to the United States during the later half of the 19th century is usually credited with the spread of the Schmidmeier surname across the globe. German immigrants tended to settle into communities with other German immigrants, which allowed the surname to further spread through marriage, immigration, and other social links.
Today, the surname Schmidmeier is found across the world and is a testament to the historical journey of the German people. Despite being geographically widespread, the name is still most common in its original homeland of Germany.
Variations of the surname Schmidmeier
The variant spellings and surnames of Schmidmeier are Schmidmeir, Schmidtmeir, Schmidtmeier, and Schmidtmeiere. All of these surnames probably have the same origin, however it is not clear from where they originated.
The origin of the name Schmidmeier is most likely German in nature. The name itself is believed to have evolved from the combination of two German words “schmidt” meaning craftsman or smith, and “meir” which is an old German given name. This theory is supported by the fact that the name “Schmidt” was a popular name among the blacksmiths in early German times. Therefore, it is likely that the name Schmidmeier was originally that of a blacksmith or craftsman.
The variants of this name are most likely the result of variations in spelling throughout the years and locations. Variations in spelling such as Schmidtmeir, Schmidtmeier, and Schmidtmeiere likely occurred when family members, who were illiterate, attempted to write the name phonetically. The Schmidmeier spelling is the closest to the original form, while Schmidtmeir is likely the result of a dropped letter or mispronunciation.
It is also possible that the variants of Schmidmeier were adopted as the family started to move around geographically. In some cases, the ending of the surname was purposely misspelled or changed in order to distinguish the family from similar German families in the same area. In other cases, the variant spelling was adopted as part of replacing the original German family name with an Anglicized version.
Famous people with the name Schmidmeier
- Maximilian Schmidmeier: Maximilian Schmidmeier is a German professional footballer who currently plays for FC Augsburg as a defender.
- René Schmidmeier: René Schmidmeier is a former German footballer who played as a defender for Energie Cottbus.
- Roland Schmidmeier: Roland Schmidmeier is a former German footballer who played as a goalkeeper for several teams in Germany, including Borussia Dortmund.
- Sven Schmidmeier: Sven Schmidmeier is a German professional footballer who currently plays for FC Ingolstadt 04 as a midfielder.
- Thommy Schmidmeier: Thommy Schmidmeier is a German-American actor and musician who is best known for his role in the popular German TV show, Let's Dance.
- Doreen Schmidmeier: Doreen Schmidmeier is a German dancer and choreographer who has won numerous international awards.
- Erich Schmidmeier: Erich Schmidmeier was a German equestrian and show jumper who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
- Jan Schmidmeier: Jan Schmidmeier is a German professional bobsledder who has competed in multiple World Cups and won the European Championships in 2016.
- Monika Schmidmeier: Monika Schmidmeier is a former German professional long-distance runner who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
- Uwe Schmidmeier: Uwe Schmidmeier is a German artist and sculptor. His sculptures can be seen in various locations in Germany.