Surname Schmikal - Meaning and Origin
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Schmikal: What does the surname Schmikal mean?
The last name Schmikal is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German words “schme(c)kele” and “schmikl”. The former means “folly” and “mockery” while the latter means “diminutive”. These two words combined literally translates to “little one of folly or mockery”.
The surname Schmikal is an occupational name, given to those who worked as tailors due to the association with the word “schmikkele” which is a diminutive form of the word “Schmied” meaning “tailor”. Thus, indicating those who used the last name Schmikal were descendant from a tailor.
Aside from its occupational meaning, the surname Schmikal can also be traced back to the Middle High German word “schmik” which means “belittled” or “mocked”. It is believed that those who used this surname may have been ridiculed for their occupation as a tailor.
The use of the Schmikal surname is rare in today’s times and is mainly found in German speaking countries. However, due to the origins of the name, there is a possibility that it can be found in other countries such as the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe.
In conclusion, the last name Schmikal is of German origin and is believed to have originally been used by those who worked as tailors. The name was likely derived from a derogatory association with the word “schmied" in which tailors were belittled for their living profession. Although rare in modern times, the surname Schmikal can still be found in German speaking countries as well as several other areas across the world.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmikal: Where does the name Schmikal come from?
The last name Schmikal is not particularly common in any part of the world today. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the surname appears only a handful of times in the United States, appearing nowhere close to the top 1000 most popular surnames. It is also not particularly common in any European countries from where many of the original Schmikal family appear to have originated.
In Canada, the Schmikal surname appears only a few dozen times, primarily concentrated in Ontario. It appears at a much higher frequency in Austria and Germany, but still not in particularly large numbers. The surname is also present in certain parts of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as it is thought to be an alternate spelling of the predominantly Czech and Slovakian surname Šmíkal.
This last name might be an occupational name, derived from the Middle High German word ‘schmeckel’, which translates to ‘little knife’, suggesting the original bearer of the name may have been a cutler or a knife-maker. In the Czech language, “Šmíkal” is an interesting play on words that roughly translates to mean ‘a cheeky one’, suggesting the original family may have had a sense of humor or an independent, rebellious nature.
Overall, the last name Schmikal is an uncommon surname, mostly confined to certain parts of Europe, and has likely been shortened and altered over time. Its roots can be traced back to the German, Czech, and Slovakian languages, with possible occupational or personal traits associated with its original bearer.
Variations of the surname Schmikal
The surname Schmikal originates from Germany and is derived from the German term 'schmiede', meaning 'forge' or 'smith'. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Schmikal are Schmickal, Schmickel, Schmiegel, Schmigil, Schmeckal, Schmidal, Schnickal, Schmiedel, and Schmiedl.
Other spelling variants may include Shmikal, Schmichal, Schmeichel, Schmeigle, Schmeickal, Schmeickel, Schmeigel, Schmiegel, Schnickel, Schmichel, Schmickel, Schnickal, Schnickels, Schmeichels, Schmickles, Shmeickles, and Shmiegels.
Surnames of the same origin include Smickal, Schmickler, Schnickle, Schnittel, Schnichel, Schmiedle, Schmidl, Schmigels, Schmigiel, Schmiegel, Schmeigel, Schmickel, Schmechel, Schmeckel, Schmeigell, Schmegal, Schnigel, Schnigels.
Schmikal refers specifically to a family of occupational blacksmiths, whereas "Schmied" is an umbrella term for a metal worker. Additionally, some variants of Schmikal may refer to family members originating from other areas within Germany. For example, the variants Schmiedel and Schmiedl may refer to someone coming from the Sauerland area in Germany.
Moreover, when surnames of the Schmikal origin immigrated to the United States, surnames such as Bickle (from Schmickle) and Sewell (from Schmiegel) were adopted from the German variants.
Overall, multiple spelling varieties and surname variants of Schmikal exist due to varying dialects and regional origins. A few of the variants may refer to a specific surname within the Schmikal family. Additionally, many have been adapted into names and taken on in various English-speaking countries over the years.
Famous people with the name Schmikal
- Jana Schmikal: German biologist
- Ify Schmikal– Actress and recent Miss Nigeria contestant
- Kevin Schmikal: Singer-songwriter
- Jim Schmikal: Physicist and global team leader of the Integrated Fluid Dynamics Team at Siemens
- Stefan Schmikal: Austrian volleyball player
- Falk Schmikal: German footballer
- Mario Schmikal: Austrian footballer
- Peter Schmikal: Danish-Icelandic businessman
- Mike Schmikal: German tennis coach
- Robert Schmikal: German theater director and producer
- Tom Schmikal– German footballer
- Kathrin Schmikal: German opera singer
- Nicoli Schmikal– Brazilian endurance cyclist
- Max Schmikal: German actor
- Erik Schmikal: Swedish heavy metal musician and songwriter