Surname Schmitmeier - Meaning and Origin
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Schmitmeier: What does the surname Schmitmeier mean?
The last name Schmitmeier is of German origin. It is derived from the occupational name "Schmidt" which is the German form of the English word "Smith." It is the name given to the members of a guild of metal workers and blacksmiths. The suffix "-meier" is derived from the German word meier, and it is a name suffix typically used to denote someone who is either in charge of, or responsible for, the estate of a nobleman or someone wealthy.
The literal meaning of the last name Schmitmeier therefore is “smith in charge of the estate.” This indicates that the individual bearing this last name was the manager of an estate or a manor for either a nobleman or someone wealthy. During the Middle Ages, such people often held high social standing as the management of such estates was usually considered a prestigious job. In addition, the owners of the estates often gave their estate managers the right to use their last names, thus this occupational suffix became common across Germany.
Today, the last name Schmitmeier exists in several variations including Schmiedemeyer, Schmiedmeier, and Schmedemeyer. Although most individuals bearing this last name are concentrated in Germany and the Netherlands, some individuals with this surname have also emigrated to other countries including the United States and Canada. Its modern day meaning still indicates that the individual bearing this last name is of high social standing, and is viewed as being a type of leader.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmitmeier: Where does the name Schmitmeier come from?
The last name Schmitmeier is most common in Germany. It is among the top 1,000 surnames in the country, with around 13,900 people having the name. The name is concentrated in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state, which is home to almost 17% of people with the name.
The area around North Rhine-Westphalia has been the most common area for Schmitmeier families for centuries. There is evidence of Schmitmeier families living in the region dating back as far as the 16th century, when many moved to the area to take advantage of the economic opportunities abroad.
The Schmitmeier surname is not confined to Germany. It can be found in other countries, including the United States, Australia, and Canada. In most of these other countries, the name is quite rare, however.
No matter where Schmitmeier families may live today, one thing is certain: their ancestors who chose to move to North Rhine-Westphalia long ago have left a lasting legacy in the area and beyond.
Variations of the surname Schmitmeier
The surname Schmitmeier is a German surname derived from the Middle High German term "smit" meaning "smith" or "metalworker" combined with the given name "Meier" making it a patronymic. Thus, the surname Schmitmeier translates to mean "son of the smith", and is likely a reference to the male head of household of a family associated with the trade of metalworking.
Variations and spellings of the surname Schmitmeier can vary greatly and include Schmidtmeier, Schmitmeyer, Schmitmyer, Schmitmeijer, Schmitmeier, Schmitmeir, Schmittmeyer, Schmittmyer, Schmittmeijer, Schmittmeier, Schmittmeir, Smidmeier, Smidmeyer, Smidmyer, Smidmeijer, Smidmeier, Smidmeir, and so on. Some families may also have adopted the more common spelling of Smith while still maintaining the original meaning.
Surnames of a similar origin to Schmitmeier include Smidt, Schmidt, Schmied, Schmitt, Shmid, and Shmidt. These surnames also all originate from the Middle High German term "smit" and have kept the same meaning of "son of the smith".
Famous people with the name Schmitmeier
- Henning Schmitmeier: German football player who has served as a coach in top-tier leagues.
- Justin Schmitmeier: American track cyclist and world champion.
- Martin Schmitmeier: Former football coach from Germany.
- Dieter Schmitmeier: German politician and member of the Bundestag.
- Andreas Schmitmeier: Former German Olympic football player.
- Simon Schmitmeier: German youth football player.
- Andre Schmitmeier: Austrian football player.
- Philipp Schmitmeier: German football player.
- Sven Schmitmeier: German ice skater and coach. 10.Oliver Schmitmeier: German film director.
- Nico Schmitmeier: Former German football player.
- Julian Schmitmeier: German musician and producer.
- Frank Schmitmeier: Former German Olympic football player.
- Stefan Schmitmeier: German football coach. 15.Matthias Schmitmeier: Former German Olympic football player.
- David Schmitmeier: German basketball player.
- Markus Schmitmeier: German sports journalist.
- Johannes Schmitmeier: Former German football player and coach. 19.Mark Schmitmeier: Former American football player.
- Johannes Schmitmeier: German rock climber.