Surname Schmidtke - Meaning and Origin

Discovering My Roots: An Inspiring Journey through My Surname 'Schmidtke' with iGENEA DNA Test

Journeying through my DNA analysis at iGENEA, I discovered the fascinating history hidden within my family name, Schmidtke. Unearthing its origins, tracing my ancestors, and gaining a deeper insight into my paternal and maternal lineage, the results not only enhanced my understanding of my roots but cemented a bond with the surname I bear.

I. Schmidtke

Schmidtke: What does the surname Schmidtke mean?

The last name Schmidtke is a German surname derived from the word ‘schmidt’, which means smith. The occupational-based surnames typically describe a person’s occupation in the medieval era and during the Middle Ages, a Schmidtke was a metalworker or blacksmith - someone who made and worked metal objects, tools and weapons. The suffix -ke at the end of the surname is an patronymic one and is an abbreviation of the German diminutive -lein, which would have been used to refer to a son or daughter.

Schmidtke is a very common name, with one million people across the world using it as their surname. It is particularly widespread in Germany and can also be found in countries like Austria, Hungary, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. In the United States, Schmidtke can be chiefly found in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

It is thought that the Schmidtke family was an old and celebrated one, with stories of lords, knights and adventures. The family’s coat of arms has a background with gold and silver ornamentation, referencing their history of metal-working. The shield is crowned with a helmet and features three star-shaped pieces, signifying the noble qualities of their claimant.

The last name Schmidtke may be centuries old, but it is still used by generations today and remains a source of pride.

Schmidtke: Where does the name Schmidtke come from?

The surname Schmidtke is most commonly found today in several European countries, including France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. It is quite likely that those individuals with this surname have German origin, and this is supported by its presence in many German-speaking countries.

The name itself is derived from Middle High German origins, coming from the words “schmit” meaning ‘craftsman’ or ‘smith’ and “ke” taken from the family name suffix, “konig”, meaning ‘of the king’ and ‘noble’. Therefore, it can be interpreted as either meaning ‘craftsman of the king’ or ‘noble smith’.

In recent centuries, many of the family with this surname have migrated away from Europe, with many members now found in Canada, Australia, South Africa, and the US.

In the US, many of those with this surname live in Texas, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Furthermore, the surname Schmidtke is now being used by members of markedly different family lines, indicating a spread throughout the US in more recent years.

Variations of the surname Schmidtke

The surname Schmidtke generally refers to the same origin, regardless of its variant spellings and surnames. It is a German patronymic surname, derived from the given name 'Schmidt' which is a nickname for 'Schmied' meaning 'blacksmith.'

Variant spellings and surnames of Schmidtke include Smidtke, Smittke, Schmitke, Schmidke, Schmidtcke, and Smidhtke. Each of these variations have different spellings of "Schmidt," such as "Smidt," "Smitt," "Schmit," and "Schmid." However, they all share the same underlying meaning - "blacksmith."

Additionally, similar surnames which also generally refer to the same origin include Schmidt, Schmid, and Schneider. This is because Schmidtke is derived from the same Germanic root word; “schmied,” meaning "blacksmith." As a result, these other surnames contain the same meaning, but with slight variations due to regional and dialectal differences.

In conclusion, Schmidtke is a German patronymic surname derived from the given name 'Schmidt' and refers to the same origin regardless of variant spellings and surnames. Variants of Schmidtke include Smidtke, Smittke, Schmitke, Schmidke, Schmidtcke, and Smidhtke. Moreover, similar surnames include Schmidt, Schmid, and Schneider; each of which share the same underlying meaning - “blacksmith."

Famous people with the name Schmidtke

• Guido Schmidtke: German actor, voice actor and singer.
• Priscilla Schmidtke: Interior designer from Portugal.
• Philipp Schmidtke: Former professional cyclist from Germany.
• Willi Schmidtke: German actor and musician.
• Wolfgang Schmidtke: Former professional footballer for the German national team.
• Herbert Schmidtke: German actor and director.
• Robert Schmidtke: Former heavyweight boxer from Germany.
• Harald Schmidtke: Former German professional footballer.
• Horst Schmidtke: Former professional footballer from Germany.
• Jürgen Schmidtke: Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine from Germany.
• Marc-Philippe Schmidtke: French Thrash Metal vocalist.
• Anne Schmidtke: American dancer and choreographer.
• Barbara Schmidtke: Former Olympic freestyle swimmer from the United States.
• Bruce Schmidtke: Former professional baseball player from the United States.
• Andy Schmidtke: Former professional ice hockey player from Germany.
• Rebecca Schmidtke: Former professional basketball player from the United States.
• Ulrike Schmidtke: German Human Rights lawyer and international law professor.
• Katharina Schmidtke: German theatre and TV actor.
• Peter Schmidtke: Former professional ice hockey player from Germany.
• Manning Schmidtke: Professional golfer from the United States.

Other surnames

SchmidtSchmidtbauerSchmidtchenSchmidtelSchmidtellSchmidtgeSchmidtgenSchmidtgesSchmidthuberSchmidtjörgSchmidtkonzSchmidtkunzSchmidtlehnerSchmidtleinSchmidtlinSchmidtmaierSchmidtmannSchmidtmayerSchmidtmeierSchmidtmeisterSchmidtmeyerSchmidtmüllerSchmidtpeterSchmidtsSchmidtscheckSchmidtschneider