Surname Schmiermund - Meaning and Origin
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Schmiermund: What does the surname Schmiermund mean?
The last name Schmiermund is an Anglicized spelling of the German surnamem 'Schmiermund'. It is derived from Middle High German words 'smir' and 'munt' which literally mean 'protection' and 'mouth', respectively. As such, the surname is believed to have originally been an occupational name given to those who were sentinels, overseeing the entry or exit of people at a particular location. Medieval Schmiermunds may have been gate-keepers, bodyguards, police officers, or soldiers, responsible for keeping peace and order in the community.
In addition, the name Schmiermund may have originally been a descriptive nickname for someone who was particularly talkative. This could have been derived from the Middle High German words 'smiren', meaning 'to chatter' or 'whisper', and 'munt', meaning 'mouth'. Thus, a Schmiermund may have been known as a person who always had something to say or was particularly gossipy.
Today, Schmiermund is still found primarily in Germany and American descendants of German immigrants. With only a few hundred known bearers of the name, it is considered to be a rare surname.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmiermund: Where does the name Schmiermund come from?
The last name Schmiermund is primarily found in Germany, although there are a small number of people who bear the name throughout other European countries. According to the World Names Public Profiler, the surname is most commonly found in the German states of Hamburg (7.2 per million people) and Schleswig-Holstein (4.7 per million people).
In recent years, the Schmiermund surname has spread to other parts of the world as well -- mostly through the movement of German citizens abroad. According to the US Census, the surname has been most prevalent in the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. It has also spread to a few other countries, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the German regions where the surname is most commonly found, it has been present for centuries. Many local records document prominent members of the Schmiermund family from the early medieval period, including a number of distinguished members of the clergy.
The contemporary Schmiermund family is generally of German origin, but a few branches have been able to trace their ancestry back to Central European countries like Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary. Despite their international heritage, they continue to maintain strong connections to their German roots.
Variations of the surname Schmiermund
The surname Schmiermund is a German name of uncertain origin. It is most likely derived from the Middle High German term “schmire” or “schmier” meaning “to smear” or “oily”. The variants of the surname Schmiermund include Schmeermund, Schmiermunt, Shmeermund, Schmermund, Shmermund, Schmirmund, and Shmirmund, among others.
The surnames Schmiedel and Schmieder also have the same origin. Schmiedern is a variant of the surname Schmiedel, and these are all derived from the Middle High German word “schmeden” which means “to fashion” or “to forge”. The variations of these surnames include Schmeidel, Schmeider, Schmeedel, Schmeedeler, Schmeeder, Schmeedeler, and Schmeiderle.
The surnames Schmerz and Schmartz are also related to the name Schmiermund. The name Schmerz is derived from the Middle High German term “smerzen” meaning “to burn” or “to injure” while Schmartz is derived from the word “schmarzen” which means “to blacken” or “to burnish”. Variants of these names include Schmertz, Schmurz, Schmirtz, Schmurtz, and Schmierz.
All of these surnames are related to the original surname Schmiermund, and are all variations of the same origin. It is evidence of how language has evolved over time, and how surnames can be adapted and changed, even while they are all related by a common origin.
Famous people with the name Schmiermund
- Paula Schmiermund: American actress and writer.
- Olaf Schmiermund: German entrepreneur and inventor from Berlin.
- Elizabeth Schmiermund: German artist and sculptor.
- Rita Schmiermund: German business executive.
- Stefan Schmiermund: German-born Ghanaian footballer who currently plays as a defender for FSV Zwickau.
- Jochen Schmiermund: German cyclist and multiple world champion.
- Jens Schmiermund: American actor, artist, and director.
- Volker Schmiermund: German mathematician and physicist.
- Klaus Schmiermund: German painter and sculptor.
- Matthias Schmiermund: German composer and conductor.