Surname Schmirl - Meaning and Origin
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Schmirl: What does the surname Schmirl mean?
The surname Schmirl is of German origin and is most commonly found in the region of Bavaria. This name is derived from the Middle High German word “schmirling,” which a type of young fish, like a small minnow or herring. This surname is believed to have originated as an occupational name for a fisherman, referring to someone who catches small fish.
The Schmirl family name came to be thought of as a symbol of distinction and honour. In the 16th century the Schmirls were one of the most powerful families in Bavaria. They held several elevated and highly-esteemed court positions and amassed considerable wealth over the centuries.
Today, the Schmirl surname is still highly respected and remains a symbol of high social standing in Bavaria. Despite the family’s rise to nobility the name has lost none of its traditional humble allusions. When combined with the original meaning of the Middle High German word, Schmirl can be interpreted to mean a small but robust family of fish experts with a taste for luxury.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmirl: Where does the name Schmirl come from?
The last name Schmirl is common in many locations in Europe today. It is most commonly found in present-day Austria, where it is particularly concentrated in the regions of Styria, Lower Austria, and Upper Austria. Additionally, the name Schmirl has spread to various other countries in Europe, such as Switzerland, Germany, and Hungary.
In the United States, the name Schmirl came with immigrants who crossed the Atlantic from many different locations in Europe. It is found mainly in the Midwest and eastern states, having spread from its initial settlement points alongside early immigrants. Due to immigration and intermarriage, Schmirl is an uncommon but still noticeable last name among Americans of German, Austrian, Czech, and Hungarian descent.
The spelling of the name varies depending on the region as well. While the primary spelling is Schmirl, there are various alternative spellings that are still considered the same name. Variations of the name Schmirl include SchmirL, Schmerl, Schmurrl, Schmirrell, and Schmirrle. Despite the varied spellings, the name is of German origin, typically stemming from words with the meaning “small” or “blackbird”.
Today, the Schmirl last name is far reaching and still found in many parts of Europe and the United States. Its variations make it difficult to pinpoint its exact numbers, but it is common enough in some areas to be a familiar and recognizable surname.
Variations of the surname Schmirl
The surname Schmirl is derived from the German word “Schmiederl”, meaning “little smith”. Some spelling variants for the surname include Schmierl, Schmeerl, Schmeirle, Schmeirler, Schmirler, Schmirll, and Schmiller. Surnames of the same origin include Schmieder, Schmiedl, and Schmieden.
The various spellings of Schmirl, such as Schmerrle, Schmierl, and Schmiller, likely arose due to phonetic spelling errors. The earliest records of the family can be found in the Upper Bavarian region of Germany, where they were known as a family of ministers and school teachers.
In the United States, immigrants from Germany with the surname Schmirl settled primarily in the Midwest and Great Lakes region. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, immigration from Germany to the United States grew rapidly and the Schmirl’s moved to cities such as Milwaukee, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh.
The variant spelling of the surname is still common in Germany, with over 1,200 individuals listed in the German telephone directory in 2020. In the United States, the surname is primarily found in the Midwest, with roughly 1,000 individuals quoted in the U.S. Census of 2020.
In summary, the surname Schmirl and its spelling variants are likely derived from the German word “Schmiederl”, meaning “little smith”. The surname is still common in Germany and its variants are found throughout the United States, particularly in the Midwest and Great Lakes region.
Famous people with the name Schmirl
- Yvonne Schmirl: fashion designer and founder of Textile CSI Technologies.
- Robert Schmirl: Austrian actor, director, and filmmaker.
- Joseph Schmirl: Entrepreneur and founder of a construction company.
- Brett Schmirl: Former two-time Olympic swimmer for the United States.
- Pat Schmirl: Retired Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.
- Piere Schmirl: Swiss World Cup alpine ski racer.
- Deborah Schmirl: American electronic engineer and roboticist.
- Jim Schmirl: Veteran basketball coach at the Iowa high school level.
- Jared Schmirl: Former professional ice hockey player in the American Hockey League.
- Claudia Schmirl: Austrian actress, best known for her performance in the 2010 play “The Journey of My Life”.