Surname Schmidtscheck - Meaning and Origin

Schmidtscheck: What does the surname Schmidtscheck mean?

The last name Schmidtscheck is of German origin and is derived from the word “Scheck”, which means shield. This suggests that the surname Schmidtscheck refers to a person from a family of Shield Makers.

Historically, the shield served a key function in medieval combat, and families of the shield makers would have been highly respected and valued for their craftsmanship. Because of the significance of their work, many members of a shield making family might have adopted the surname Schmidtscheck in order to show their expertise and commitment to this craft.

In numerous cases, those families who held the last name Schmidtscheck during the medieval period also had distinct heraldry. While many of these coats of arms and symbols have been forgotten over time, they are believed to be linked to the shield making craft and thus are believed to relate to the Schmidtscheck surname.

Today, the Schmidtscheck surname is still found in Germany and other parts of Europe, although many holders of the name are now scattered across the world and have even adopted the variant spelling “Schmidtcheck”. Despite the changing spelling, the meaning of the surname remains largely the same. Thus, the last name Schmidtscheck can be said to represent those of a proud family of shield makers, symbolising their commitment to a profession with a long and illustrious history.

Schmidtscheck: Where does the name Schmidtscheck come from?

The last name Schmidtscheck is relatively uncommon today, with the greatest concentration of individuals with this surname found in Germany and Austria. According to Forebears, only about 0.003% of the population of Austria has the surname Schmidtscheck (with about 283 reported individuals), and it is even less common in Germany with an estimated 188 individuals bearing the name.

Outside of Europe, the surname appears to have spread to North America. There are a small number of Schmidtscheck households in Canada and the United States. The highest concentration of Schmidtschecks in the U.S. is in New Jersey, followed by California, Illinois, and Michigan.

The origin of Schmidtscheck is German, coming from two words, ‘Schmidt’ meaning smith and ‘Scheck’ meaning passport or document. It originated as a locational surname, referring to somebody who moved from the town of Schmidtscheck.

The Schmidtscheck family is likely descended from medieval tradespeople, specifically blacksmiths. However, beyond this, not much is known about the family's origins. It is possible that like many of their compatriots, the Schmidtschecks originated from Saxony or Bavaria.

Today, the Schmidtscheck name is not very common, its numbers in Europe dwindling as people immigrate and intermarry with those of different backgrounds. It appears, however, to have a growing presence in North America, where new generations of the Schmidtscheck family have maintained the traditions of their ancestors.

Variations of the surname Schmidtscheck

The surname Schmidtscheck is an old German surname that originated in the medieval kingdom of Saxony. It is a variation of several surnames such as Schmittschuler, Schmidtshof, Schmidtshofer, and Schmidtachek. Each of these surnames is derived from the Middle High German “schmid”, meaning smith, and “schuld,” meaning skill or account. As such, the surname is derived from someone who was involved in account management or “schulden”. The spelling variations of Schmidtscheck evolved over time and now it can also be spelled as Schmidtschek, Schmidtchek, or Schmiedtscheck.

It has also found its way into American culture as a number of different names including Schmitz, Schmitzcheck, Smithcheck, and Smallscheck. Many people with this surname immigrated to the United States in the mid-1800s and the name has been carried down and is still present in the US today.

In addition to the various spelling variations of Schmidtscheck, the surname can also be found in other countries such as Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and many other German-speaking countries. These countries may have different versions of the surname due to their own language and culture.

Regardless of the spelling variation, the core meaning of the surname remains the same; someone who had expertise in or was involved in account management. It is a surname that is significant to those with German heritage, regardless of the spelling, and serves as a reminder of the important role those with the surname played in keeping accounts.

Famous people with the name Schmidtscheck

• Peter Schmidtscheck: German-British professional wrestler.
• Elwin Schmidtscheck: German freelance journalist.
• Sir Helmuth Schmidtscheck: Austrian-born British film producer.
• Arnold Schmidtscheck: German actor and director.
• Erich Schmidtscheck: former East German cyclist.
• Heinz Schmidtscheck: Austrian football player and manager.
• David Schmidtscheck: German handball player.
• Anita Schmidtscheck: Austrian Olympic alpine skier.
• Karl-Heinz Schmidtscheck: former German football player.
• Christoph Schmidtscheck: German-born Icelandic tennis player.
• Magdalena Schmidtscheck: German long jumper.
• Tuban Schmidtscheck: German swimmer and water polo player.
• Timo Schmidtscheck: German canoeist and multiple world champion.
• Wilfried Schmidtscheck: German-born British actor.
• Brigitte Schmidtscheck: German volleyball player.
• Helmut Schmidtscheck: German wrestler.
• Silvio Schmidtscheck: German cyclist.
• Sebastian Schmidtscheck: German judoka.
• Martina Schmidtscheck: German gymnast.
• Maria Schmidtscheck: Austrian figure skater.

Other surnames

Schmidtschneider