Surname Schmitchen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schmitchen: What does the surname Schmitchen mean?
The surname Schmitchen is a German name that carries a long, rich history. The surname is derived from the Middle High German word "smite", meaning “smith”, and was likely given to an ancestor who worked as a blacksmith. It is thought that the Schmitchen family likely originated in the area of Germany known as Rhineland-Palatinate.
The surname is quite common, and is found quite frequently throughout much of Europe, as well as within the US and other countries with large populations of people of German descent. In more recent times, the Schmitchen surname is thought to have become popular as a variant of the more well known Smith family name.
The Schmitchen surname is associated with many notable people, such as scientist and professor Manfred Schmitchen, and author and director Hans Schmitchen, among others.
The origins of the Schmitchen name are not known for certain, but their legacy can still be traced today, and their earlier origins are likely connected with an individual's occupation as a blacksmith more than a millennia ago. This small insight into early German family history gives us a greater understanding of the longevity of the surname and the important role it has played in generations of Germanic culture.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmitchen: Where does the name Schmitchen come from?
The last name Schmitchen is common in Germany, as well as in some surrounding countries, particularly Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, and Poland. According to data published in 2012, Schmitchen was the 669th most common surname in Germany, with 28,811 people carrying the name.
In terms of ancestry, Schmitchen is a surname of Germanyic origins. It derived from the Middle High German “smittinc” and Old High German “smizinc”, both meaning “smith;” and it is believed to have once been an occupational name for a metal worker. As a result, Schmitchen may have derived from medieval times, when blacksmiths were held in high regard in Germany, as they worked with iron, an important metal and raw material for craftwork and daily life.
In terms of global geography, records of Schmitchen families exist in the United States, Canada, South America, France, and Switzerland. The exact number of Schmitchen in other parts of the world is unknown, but it is safe to assume that the number of bearers is growing as citizens emigrate from Germany, Austria, Poland, and the Netherlands.
Variations of the surname Schmitchen
Schmitchen is a variant spelling of Schmitz, a German patronymic surname derived from the personal name of Schmidt, meaning “son of Schmidt.” It is also from the word smid, which means “blacksmith.” This surname is still common in Germany and Austria and is found among German-speaking immigrant communities in the United States and around the world.
Variant spellings of Schmitchen include Schmidchen, SchOOtmacht, Schmichten, Schmeichlund, Schmiedchen, Smeedchen, and Smitschchen. Some variations of the surname are spelled with a 't' at the end instead of a 'ch.' Schmit, Schmitt, Schmid, and Schmidt are common variations of Schmitz.
There are also other surnames that can be traced back to the same origin. These include: Schmeitz, Schmeichner, Schmeitzner, Schmeicz, Schmeister, and Schmeil. Other surnames related to Schmitchen include Schmiedt, Smiedtek, Schmitke, Schmittke, Smitkovich, Smitkovich, and Smitka.
The spelling variations and other surnames are indicative of the widespread distribution of the Schmitchen surname in countries with German-speaking populations. As a result of immigration over the course of centuries, the surnames may now be found in other countries and in different spelling variations, providing further evidence of its widespread dispersal.
Famous people with the name Schmitchen
- Eric Schmitchen: American Triathlete, Finisher of the Ultraman Triathlon
- Günter Schmitchen: German chess master
- Nelson Schmitchen: Former American football college coach
- Bob Schmitchen: Former American Basketball Coach at Drake University
- Lóránt Schmitchen: Hungarian water polo player
- Ville Schmitchen: Finnish professional basketball player
- Otto Schmitchen: German actor
- Xavier Schmitchen: German cartoon artist
- David Schmitchen: American film producer
- Niko Schmitchen: Dutch professional wrestler