Surname Schmidts - Meaning and Origin
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Schmidts: What does the surname Schmidts mean?
The last name Schmidts is of German origin. It is a patronymic surname that is derived from the givenname "Schmidt" which is derived from the Middle High German "schmid" meaning a metalworker or smith.
The surname is most commonly found in German-speaking regions and in countries where a large number of German immigrants settled, such as the United States, Brazil, South Africa, and Australia. It could also be found in France, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.
The surname Schmidts has a variety of spellings, including Schmitt, Schmitz, or Schmied. These surnames all have the same basic meaning as Schmidts: a metalworker, an armorer, and a blacksmith.
Throughout the centuries, Schmidts have been among some of the most important artisans of their time, crafting swords, tools, and machines. Their skills and knowledge have been essential for the economic, technological, and social advancements of German, and other countries.
Today, the surname Schmidts is a symbol of hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence in craftsmanship. People of this name are known for their strong sense of passion and determination in achieving their goals, and many have achieved great success in business and other fields.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmidts: Where does the name Schmidts come from?
The last name Schmidts is a very common name originating in Germany. From there it spread south to Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Croatia, and northward to Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
Today, the surname Schmidt is most prevalent in Germany, where it is the fifth-most common last name. Most German Schmidts are of Protestant Christian background, although the name is also found among Jewish and Muslim populations.
Outside of Germany, the surname Schmidt is most commonly found in Austria and the Low Countries, areas historically settled by Germanic-speaking populations. Countries with large numbers of people with the last name Schmidt include Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. It can also be found in small numbers in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where German immigrants settled in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The surname Schmidt is derived from the German word "schmied" meaning "blacksmith" or "metalworker," and was originally used as an occupational surname for families whose traditional livelihood was in metalworking. Over the centuries, the surname developed different pronunciations and spellings based on language and region, such as Schmidt, Smith, and Smid in Dutch, Schmith in Swedish, Smit or Smidt in Danish, and Smyth in English.
Variations of the surname Schmidts
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Schmidts include:
Schmitt: This is the common spelling of the name in German and in other European countries. The spelling has also been anglicized, and is sometimes spelled Schmidt.
Schmitz: This is a variation of Schmitt, with the same meaning and origin.
Schmid: This is a variation of the name which has been used as a given name as well as a surname.
Schmied: This is another variation of the name, stemming from the old German practice of using one's occupation as a surname. The meaning of Schmied in German is "blacksmith".
Schmidtsen: This is a patronymic surname, or a surname derived from the father's given name.
Schmidtmann: This is the anglicized version of the name, and it is commonly found in the United States.
Schmitd: This is an uncommon variation of the surname, and it has largely been used in the United States.
Schmidtberger: This is another variation of the name, and it has been used in some parts of the United States.
Schmidtel: This is a variation of the name found primarily in Germany.
Schmitzberger: This is a variation of the name often found in Germany and other parts of Europe.
Schmidly: This is another variation of the name, and it is found in some parts of the United States.
Schmidtke: This is a variation of the name found primarily in Germany.
Schmidgall: This is an uncommon variation of the name, and it is found in some parts of the United States.
Famous people with the name Schmidts
- Helmut Schmidt: Helmut Schmidt (1918-2015) was chancellor of West Germany from 1974-82 and a social democrat. In 1971, he had already been Minister of Finance and, from 1972-74, had been the Minister of Defence. He was a popular, respected and decisive politician, and continues to be thought of fondly as one of the most important post-war chancellors in Germany.
- Matthias Schmidt: Matthias Schmidt (born 1987) is an award-winning German film composer whose credits include Fairy Tales (2014), The Red Band Society (2014), and Miserere (2017).
- Jürgen Schmidt: Jürgen Schmidt (born 1932) is a German designer who worked for many major international companies, including Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. He had a significant influence on automotive design in the latter half of the twentieth century.
- Lisa-Marie Schmidt: Lisa-Marie Schmidt (born 1987) is a German actress, best known for her roles in Ode to a Dream (2011), Wolfhound (2012), and Berlin Syndrome (2017).
- Werner Schmidt: Werner Schmidt (1921-2014) was a German archaeologist who worked in and around Berlin, specialising in the field of pre-history and early history. He is considered one of the main figures in the exploration of the Stone and Bronze Ages in Germany and Europe.
- Yves Schmidts: Yves Schmidts (born 1967) is a renowned multidisciplinary artist from Germany, working with photography, installation art, video, and performance art. His works have been displayed in several exhibitions around the world.
- Bernd Schmidts: Bernd Schmidts (born 1968) is a German politician who has served as a member of the Bundestag since 2009. He is a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and was elected leader of the party’s Saxony-Anhalt branch in 2015.
- Christoph Schmidt: Christoph Schmidt (born 1983) is a German filmmaker, best known for his feature films Silent Summer (2013) and Reden (2015).
- Johann Schmidt: Johann Schmidt (1913-1973) was a German scientist who made important contributions to the area of quantum theory and its applications. He was also awarded the Max Planck Medal in 1964.
- Herbert L. Schmidts: Herbert L. Schmidts (born 1958) is a German economist and professor at the Institute of International Economics at the University of Cologne. He has published numerous books and articles on international trade, international economic relationships, and economic development.