Surname Schmiedigke - Meaning and Origin
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Schmiedigke: What does the surname Schmiedigke mean?
The last name Schmiedigke is a German surname that can be broken down into two words, "Schmied" which means "smith" and "igke" which means "son of." This indicates that the family originally had an occupation of blacksmith or farrier and is a common name for people of German descent.
In German, the suffix “-igke” was used in the Middle Ages to designate a patronymic name, meaning that it intended to be used as a representation of an individual’s father’s first name. By extension, the name Schmiedigke would have been used to represent the first name, and occupation, of a person’s father or ancestor who was a smith by trade.
The surname may have initially been used to distinguish between different families or individuals involved in the craft of smithing in a particular region. As German people moved to different parts of the world looking for better economic opportunities, the surname went with them and is now found in areas with large German-speaking populations, such as the United States, Canada, and Brazil.
In many of these locations, the name has undergone various permutations, such as “Schmiedick,” “Schmeiderik,” and “Smejdik,” but the original meaning still remains. As such, the last name Schmiedigke is recognized as a representative of an old and proud German tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmiedigke: Where does the name Schmiedigke come from?
The last name Schmiedigke is a German name originating from Schmied, which means blacksmith. Today, it is most frequently found in the German states of Saxony, Thuringen, and Southwestern Bavaria; Vienna, Austria; Alsace, France; and the German-speaking regions of Belgium. The name can also be found in smaller concentrations in the United States and Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In Germany, the most frequent variation of the name is Schmiedekuh, with Schmiedigke lying second in order of popularity. As of 1999, according to the German Federal Statistical Office, there were 741 persons in Germany with the last name Schmiedigke.
According to the White Pages, the Schmiedigke name is most common in the United States in Florida, with the name also existing in California, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio. As of 27th May 2020, there were 116 people in the United States with the last name Schmiedigke.
In Canada, there were 36 Schmiedigkes on file in 2012. In Australia, the name can be found primarily in New South Wales, although there are smaller concentrations in Queensland, Victoria, and Tasmania.
The Schmiedigke name is also found in other English-speaking nations such as New Zealand and South Africa, although the concentration and number of people bearing the name is much smaller. In these countries, the last name is usually represented by the more popular Schmiedekuh spelling.
Variations of the surname Schmiedigke
The surname Schmiedigke is derived from the German word 'schmieden' meaning 'smith'. Variations of this surname include Schmiedik, Schmieding, Schmiedinger, Schmiedecke, Schmiedecke, and Schmiedl. The spelling of the surname can also change depending on the dialect in which it is spoken. For example, in the Bavarian dialect of German, the surname may be spelled as Schmiedig.
Although uncommon, there are also some variants of the name that are written slightly differently. One example is Schmeding, which is found throughout Germany and other parts of Europe. There is also a variant called Schmedtke found in northern Germany. Other spellings are Schmedke, Schmiedek, and Schmiedak.
When the surname is translated into different languages, the spelling may also change. In France and Belgium, the surname becomes Schmiediken or Schmieden. In Mexico, the surname becomes Escudig or Esquedig. In Sweden, the surname becomes Schmidtigke or Schmidtig. In the Czech Republic, the surname Schmiedík is used.
The researchers of the surname Schmiedigke have traced it to many different parts of Europe, including Germany, France, Belgium, Czech Republic, Switzerland, and even the United States. As a result of its widespread distribution, many spelling variations of the surname exist.
Famous people with the name Schmiedigke
- Kurt Schmiedigke: German footballer who played for Schalke 04, Vfb Stuttgart, and national teams during the 1950s/1960s.
- Reinhard Schmiedigke: German oil painter and graphic designer.
- Carsten Schmiedigke: German writer and author of several novels, biographies, and historical books.
- Rudi Schmiedigke: German poet and lyricist of folk songs and music from the 1950s onwards.
- Heiner Schmiedigke: German photographer and photojournalist from the 1970s onwards, specializing in portrait and documentary photography.
- Johann Schmiedigke: Austrian opera director and producer from the 1990s onwards.
- Hermann Schmiedigke: German painter, sculptor and photographer from the 19th and 20th century.
- Lizzie Schmiedigke: Swiss actress who acted in several theatrical plays and films.
- Hedwig Schmiedigke: German ceramicist and sculptor from the late 19th and early 20th century.
- Wieland Schmiedigke: German-American businessman and entrepreneur, founder of several solar energy companies.