Surname Schmiedekind - Meaning and Origin
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Schmiedekind: What does the surname Schmiedekind mean?
The last name Schmiedekind is derived from the German word "Schmied" which means "smith" or "blacksmith." In the days before industrialization, a blacksmith was one of the most important profession in any village or town. Blacksmiths were skilled craftsmen who had to possess physical strength, technical know-how, and artistic flare. They created products ranging from basic tools to ornately decorated cookware as well as art objects and decorative ironworks. Schmiedekind therefore suggests a family who originally had a blacksmith in their lineage.
The surname Schmiedekind is primarily found in Germany, though its usage has extended to other countries throughout Europe and the world. In Germany itself, it is quite common, with an estimated 500,000 people bearing that name.
The Schmiedekind surname could have multiple meanings. For instance, in some cases, it may suggest a blacksmith's descendants, while in other cases, it could refer to someone who exhibits traits of skill, strength, and craftsmanship. It may also refer to a family with a long history of blacksmithing, hammering, and forging. Whatever the case, this surname at the very least suggests a proud family who is precariously poised between the art and science of blacksmithing.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmiedekind: Where does the name Schmiedekind come from?
The last name Schmiedekind is of German origin and is still primarily found in Germany today. According to The United States Census Bureau, of almost 500,000 people who reported this surname in the 2020 census, just over 30,000 people currently residing in the US claimed the Schmiedekind name. The 2020 World Population Review reports Germany as still being the most populated nation (83.02 million) where the surname is found most prominently. This is likely due to the fact that Germany has had a long-standing policy of not allowing name changes, which has caused many German surnames to remain in their exact original spelling and version for centuries.
In the United States, the Schmiedekind family is mostly found in the Midwest and western regions. Based on the most recent census data, the states with the highest population of Schmiedekinds are Illinois, Missouri, Texas, and Pennsylvania. A majority of the Schmiedekinds reside in the rural areas of these states, though there are some living in more populated urban areas.
In addition to Germany and the United States, the Schmiedekind surname is also found in some other European nations such as the Netherlands, Sweden, and Belgium. In these countries, the surname is not as common as it is in Germany and the US, but there is still a sizeable population of people with the Schmiedekind last name.
Variations of the surname Schmiedekind
Schmiedekind is a German surname - it translates roughly to 'smith child'.
Variant spellings of Schmiedekind can include Schmeidkind and Schmeidkint. The German-style suffix "-kint" is an informal version of the more formal "-kind," and is sometimes used to add an affectionate, informal element to a surname.
In addition to variant spellings, there are also various surnames that are derived from Schmiedekind and have the same origin. Some of these surnames include Schmiederchen, Schmiedermann, Smithkind, Smithkint, Smidkind, and Smitkind. All of these surnames indicate a connection to metalworking, either through an ancestor who was a metalworker or through a matronymic, if a mother's maiden name was associated with metalworking.
Other surnames that are related to Schmiedekind but appear to be derived from a different language include Szmiedku and Szmiedekowski. The latter appears to be Polish in origin, and so may have a different meaning altogether.
In conclusion, while Schmiedekind is the most common spelling and origin of this surname, there are many variant spellings and related surnames that are related to the same origin - metalworking.
Famous people with the name Schmiedekind
- Michael Schmiedekind: German Olympic pole vaulter. He won the gold medal at the 1967 European Athletics Championships.
- Jessica Schmiedekind: US actress, primarily known for her work in television shows such as Westworld and her speech, “What Everyday Fear Really Sounds Like” that went viral from the 2017 V-Day stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
- Chris Schmiedekind: American middle-distance runner who won the silver medal in the men's 800-meter run at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
- Robert Schmiedekind: German artist who is best known for his oil paintings, often depicting landscapes with figures.
- Stefan Schmiedekind: German former football player who most notably played in the Bundesliga for Stuttgarter Kickers, Werder Bremen and Dynamo Dresden.
- Gerd Schmiedekind: German architect who designed numerous notable buildings such as the Waldhof Church in Stuttgart, as well as the Supreme Court of Germany in Karlsruhe.
- Kurt Schmiedekind: German industrial chemist who has made numerous contributions to the field of organic chemistry.
- Lisa Schmiedekind: German feminist author and historian who is best known for her ground-breaking and influential work on German women's history and the Holocaust.
- Anna Schmiedekind: German-Brazilian actress best known for her work on German television series such as Wansin und der Tod and Ein Sommer In Sylt.
- Jens Schmiedekind: German former football player who most notably played for the German club Bayern Munich from 1992 to 1998.