Surname Schmidt - Meaning and Origin
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Q. Schmidt
read moreSchmidt: What does the surname Schmidt mean?
The surname Schmidt is of German origin and it is equivalent to the English term "smith". It denotes a trade or profession, specifically referring to a blacksmith or metalworker. This name arose during the Middle Ages when craftsmanship specialization started to develop, and specific trades began to be established. Each profession was identified with a specific name and individuals who were engaged in these professions were thus named. The surname Schmidt underscores a long history of metalworking in German-speaking regions, which was an essential trade during Medieval times. Yet as it was a common occupation, Schmidt is now one of the most common surnames in Germany and is also prevalent in the United States and other countries with German emigration history.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmidt: Where does the name Schmidt come from?
Schmidt is a common Germanic surname that originated in Germany. The name derives from the German term "schmied," which translates to "smith." This indicates that the original bearers of this name were likely metalworkers or blacksmiths by trade, akin to the English surname "Smith."
Because it is a patronymic surname, it spread naturally with the emigration of German people, and today it is common in various parts of the world. Inside Germany, it remains one of the most frequently used surnames. Besides Germany, Schmidt is also common in countries with substantial German-speaking populations such as Austria, Switzerland, and in the United States, especially in areas of high German immigration such as Pennsylvania and the Midwest.
Today, the surname's variations can be seen globally due to the emigration of German people to other countries across the world over centuries. These include Schmitt in France, Smits in the Netherlands, and Smith in English-speaking countries.
Variations of the surname Schmidt
The surname Schmidt is a very common one in the German-speaking world. It derives from the Middle High German term "smid" which means blacksmith. Given this common origin, there are several different variants and spellings of the surname that have developed over time, reflecting regional dialects and variations in spelling.
Some of its most common variant forms include Schmid, Schmitt, Schmitz, Schmied, Smid, Smidt, and Smitt. These variations are found not only in Germany, but also in Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
In the English-speaking world, the most common variants of the name Schmidt are Smith and Smyth, which also originate from the occupation of blacksmith. Similarly, in France, the surname Lefèvre (also meaning blacksmith) could be considered a variation.
Further spelling differences resulted from immigration, especially to the United States, where officials would often anglicize or simplify names. This resulted in variants such as Shmidt, Schmit, Shmit, or even Smith.
There are also additional patronymic surnames of the same origin, indicating that someone is the "son of a smith": such as Schmidtke, Schmidl, or Schmids, and occupational surnames like Schmiedel (little smith) or Schmiedmann (man smith).
Famous people with the name Schmidt
- Mischa Barton: Actress
- Tina Schmidt: Reality TV Star
- Stuart Schmidt: Football Player
- Emma Schmidt: Professional Cyclist
- Pauline Schmidt: Long Distance Runner
- Maximilian Schmidt: Skier
- Jen Schmidt: Ice Hockey Player
- Stephanie Schmidt-Motz: Actress
- Henry Schmidt: Basketball Player
- Eric Schmidt: Former Executive Chairman of Alphabet Inc.
- Jenny Schmidt: Youtuber
- Claudio Schmidt: Musician
- Johannes Schmidt: Sound Designer
- Maya Schmidt: Model
- Jack Schmidt: Actor
- Tom Schmidt: Entrepreneur
- Philip Schmidt: Pianist
- Faith Schmidt: Singer
- Alex Schmidt: Artist
- Miriam Schmidt: Olympian Swimmer