Surname Schmitgen - Meaning and Origin

Schmitgen: What does the surname Schmitgen mean?

The last name Schmitgen is an occupational surname of German origin. The surname originated in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where people with the surname Schmitgen most likely descended from a family of professional shoemakers. The name translates to "shoe maker" in English.

Schmitgen families may have descended from a line of cobblers, or weavers who specialized in making leather goods such as shoes, bags, and wallets. The Schmitgen surname can often be seen on the gravestones of families in North Rhine-Westphalia, though they ultimately spread throughout Europe as families migrated for economic and religious reasons over the years.

Today, people with the Schmitgen surname continue to be found in Germany, the Netherlands, and parts of the United States. Although the occupational roots of the name remain, many families have turned to new pursuits over the years, with some individuals growing to prominence in fields such as politics, science, and the arts.

The last name Schmitgen is an important link to the family’s past, and a reminder of the hard work and skill of their shoemaking ancestors. It is a proud legacy that speaks to the family’s continuing connection to their origin, and a testament to the importance of passing stories from generation to generation.

Schmitgen: Where does the name Schmitgen come from?

The last name Schmitgen is most commonly found in Germany and the surrounding countries. This name originated in the Rhineland-Palatinate county of Germany, where it is still most commonly found. It is also found in some parts of the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, and Belgium. This surname is also found in the United States and Canada, where it was likely brought by immigrants from German-speaking countries.

The literal meaning of "Schmitgen" is roughly "smith" or "blacksmith," which points to it being an occupational surname. This means that those bearing the name were likely blacksmiths or had a family history of this occupation. In some cases, the name could also derive from a place-name, such as a village that once hosted a large population of the Schmitgen family.

Many family members with the last name Schmitgen have kept their long shared history. This includes a shared family tree, tracing back over fourteen generations. It is a proud part of their heritage and a great source of pride for the family. With the large number of Schmitgens found all over the world, the last name is still seen as a strong, close-knit family that cherishes their shared family history.

Variations of the surname Schmitgen

The surname Schmitgen is a German family name of Germanic origin. It derives from the personal name “Schmit” or “Smith”, which in turn is derived from the Old English word “smitan” meaning ‘to smite’ or ‘to strike’. It is also related to the Middle English word “smite” meaning “a hammer”. As such, the original bearers of the Schmitgen surname were likely to have been either blacksmiths or those who worked with a hammer in some capacity.

The variant and spelling of this surname in Germany are Schmit, Schmet, Schmitz, Schmez and Schmetzgen. It is also anglicized as Schmidt, Smith, Smitz and Smitzgen, and in some cases Smitzman and Smitson. The surnames Smutz, Smit, Schmid and Schmitdt are closely related as well.

The German Schmitgen surname may have derived as a toponym, from villages with the same name such as Schmetgen, Schmetgau and Schmeten. It is also possible that the surname arose as a personal name, from nicknames or titles such as “Schmidt”, “Schmitte” and “Schmitgen”.

The Schmitgen surname reached Europe with immigrants beginning in the 17th century and is now distributed globally, particularly in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg.

Famous people with the name Schmitgen

• Tom Schmitgen: American ABC News anchor
• Kendra Schmitgen: American television host and writer
• Karl Schmitgen: German biologist and academic
• Peter Schmitgen: German actor, director, and writer
• Gretel Schmitgen: German fashion designer and entrepreneur
• Manfred Schmitgen: German physicist and academic
• Michel Schmitgen: Belgian lawyer and judge
• Sebastian Schmitgen: German author, editor, and journalist
• Hermann Schmitgen: German actor and director
• Miles Schmitgen: American volleyball star and coach

Other surnames

Schmitges