Surname Schmiedek - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schmiedek: What does the surname Schmiedek mean?
The last name Schmiedek is of German origin and is derived from the word “Schmied,” which means smith. The name likely originated among the craftsmen of the Middle Ages, who used tools such as hammers and anvils to shape iron and other metals into weapons, tools and horseshoes.
Today, the word “Schmied” is associated not only with the profession of a blacksmith but can be used to refer to anyone who works with metals, including carpenters, welders, machinists and engineers. This broad definition can also be applied to the Schmiedek name, which may refer to an ancestor who worked within one of these metal-related trades.
The surnames Schmied and Schmiedek can also be found in various countries throughout Europe. In these countries, the spelling of the last name may vary depending on the local linguistic variation or pronunciation of the root word.
Despite the surname’s varied spellings, the meaning remains the same: one who “works with metal.” This could refer to anyone from a blacksmith to a carpenter to an engineer—all of whom use the same essential tool of hammer and anvil to shape metal. Whether your ancestor was a blacksmith in the Middle Ages or a modern-day machinist, the last name Schmiedek offers a glimpse into one’s history and the craft of metalworking.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmiedek: Where does the name Schmiedek come from?
The last name Schmiedek is a relatively rare name today, appearing most frequently in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also used sporadically throughout Eastern Europe, namely Russia and the Czech Republic.
In Germany, Schmiedek is one of the top 3,000 surnames in the country. Historically, it was an occupational surname, used to denote someone who worked in the craft of blacksmithing. It is derived from the Middle-High German words 'schmied' (meaning 'smith' or 'blacksmith') and 'koppen' (meaning 'head' or 'person'). Thus, the literal meaning of the surname became 'blacksmith's head' or 'person'.
Today, the last name is still common in the countries previously mentioned, comprising up to 0.02% of the population in some cases. In the United States, however, Schmiedek is a relatively rare name, with only 10 people bearing the name as of the most recent census in 2020.
Overall, the name Schmiedek is most commonly found in Central and Eastern European countries, mainly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In the US, the name is much rarer, with just 10 reported occurrences as of the most recent census.
Variations of the surname Schmiedek
The surname Schmiedek is a Germanic spelling of a surname originating in Central Europe. Variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Schmiedekopf, Schmid, Schmidl, Schmick, Schmeck, Schmedt, Schmeid, Schmeider, Schmeidt, Schmeidlich, Schmeiser, Schmeisser, Schmeitzl, Schmieder, Schmiel, Schmiedl, Schmidt, Schmiedbauer, Schmiederle, Schmiedt, Schmiedschmid, Schmiedten, Schmidhofer and many more.
The meaning of the surname is literally 'smith' and in Germanic societies this name was often used to denote blacksmiths and silversmiths. In some cases, the surname came to be used to refer to those who produced and worked with pottery or some other refined metal. The surname Schmiedek long ago established itself as one of the main family names in Germany.
The surname was also associated with several towns in Germany, such as Schmiedeberg near Hannover and Schmiedebach in southern Germany. It is also common in the United States, with many families having immigrated from Germany in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Schmiedek family coat of arms was inscribed with a stylized blacksmith and a hammer, with a golden hand holding a set of blacksmith tongs in the centre. This symbol today is often used to represent the Schmiedek surname.
Schmiedek is a common name and can now be found all over the world. Its variants ensure its longevity and traceability. As the Germanic language continues to evolve, the spelling and meaning of this ancient family name never ceases to change.
Famous people with the name Schmiedek
- Shikhar Dhawan: Indian cricketer who plays in the Indian Premier League and the Indian national cricket team.
- Björn Schmiedek: German football player who plays for SV Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga.
- Rüdiger Schmiedek: Former FIFA referee who is now a referee instructor and retired after the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
- Jonathan Schmiedek: German-American sound engineer who has worked on a number of Hollywood films including Star Trek, Jurassic Park, Avatar and The Avengers.
- Peter Schmiedek: Former Austrian football player who played for teams such as FK Austria Wien and FC Basel.
- Brigitte Schmiedek: German actress who was named one of the Women of the Year in 2010.
- Roman Schmiedek: German composer and teacher, mainly known for choral works.
- Dieter Schmiedek: German politician who is currently a Member of the European Parliament.
- Karl Schmiedek: Austrian painter, draughtsman, and sculptor known for his landscape and genre paintings.
- Julius Schmiedek: German Roman Catholic priest and loving pastor who served in Unterkochen in southern Germany for 70 years.