Surname Schmiedtke - Meaning and Origin
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Schmiedtke: What does the surname Schmiedtke mean?
The last name Schmiedtke is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "smitten" meaning "blacksmith". The name is an occupational surname for someone who worked in the profession of blacksmithing and metalworking.
Since its origin in 17th century Germany, Schmiedtke has been a popular surname among German immigrants in America. The first instances of this surname appearing in the US can be traced back to the mid-1800s, when German immigrants settled in major cities like Philadelphia and New York.
Today, the name Schmiedtke is found all over the world. It is still a very common surname in Germany, where it is ranked as the 246th most common name, and is also prevalent in the US and other countries.
In Germany, Schmiedtke is often spelt 'Schmiedke'. The Schmiedtke spelling was popularized in the US and European countries, while the Schmiedke spelling is more common in native German-speaking countries. Modern variations of the name include Schmied, Smidt, Smiedt, Smit, and Schmitt.
The last name Schmiedtke is derived from an old craft associated with creating weapons, horseshoes, and tools from metalworking. It is a testament to those who labored over metals to create useful and lasting items for the world.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmiedtke: Where does the name Schmiedtke come from?
The last name Schmiedtke is most common in the German-speaking parts of Europe today. It is most prevalent in Germany, where it is the 385th most common surname. It is also found in Austria - in particular in the region of Upper Austria - and in the canton of Zurich in Switzerland.
In Germany, Schmiedtke is mainly found in the western parts of the country, particularly in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. In North Rhine-Westphalia it is especially concentrated in the southeastern part of the state, particularly along the Rhine and the surrounding cities, such as Duisburg, Oberhausen, and Düsseldorf.
The surname is thought to be derived from the old German word "schmied," meaning "smith," and suggesting that the original bearers of the last name were likely blacksmiths or metalworkers.
Outside of Europe, the last name Schmiedtke can also be found in the United States, where it is still quite rare. Most Schmiedtkes in the country today can trace their origin to immigrants who arrived in the US at the end of the 19th century.
Variations of the surname Schmiedtke
The surname Schmiedtke can be spelt in various ways, ranging from the original spelling of Schmiedtke to Schneidtke, Shmidtke, Schmidke, Smithke, Schmeidtke, Schmidthke, and Schmeidke. These variants are believed to have arisen due to variations in the spellings of names as they were spoken and written in different centuries and regions of the world.
Other related surnames include Schmedemann, Schmeichel, Schmeisser, Schmeiding, Schmeißer, Schmich, Schmilz, Schminke, Schmitz, Schmoker, Schmolling, Schmucker, Schmundt, Schnaider, Schnell, and Schnitzer. Many of these are variants of the original name, with variations on the spelling due to the written form in different regions or times.
Schmiedtke is also a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the father's given name. The given name Schmied, which is also spelt Shmied, Schmid, and Schmeid, is a German and Jewish occupational name for a blacksmith or worker of metals. The suffix -tke is often found in surnames of East Prussia, indication that the original bearer of the surname could have come from that region of Germany.
Though the surname is not commonly found internationally, it remains prevalent in areas of Germany, especially in the state of Brandenburg. Records suggest that the first registered bearers of the surname were Cunradus Smidine, who emigrated from Mecklenburg in 1402, and Henricus Shmidtke, who emigrated from Prussia to England in 1690.
Famous people with the name Schmiedtke
- Miriam Schmiedtke: award-winning German author and editor
- Robert Schmiedtke: former German ice hockey player
- Toni Schmiedtke: former German football player
- Carl Schmiedtke: former German footballer.
- Johannes Schmiedtke: German lecturer, author, and film producer
- Klaus Schmiedtke: former German football player
- Jürgen Schmiedtke: former German football player
- Andreas Schmiedtke: former German football player
- Martin Schmiedtke: contemporary German sculptor
- Stefan Schmiedtke: award-winning German theatre director and film producer