Surname Schmitt - Meaning and Origin
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Tracing the Schmitt Lineage: An Insightful Journey through iGENEA DNA Test
Curiosity towards my paternal lineage, particularly related to my surname, Schmitt, led me to undertake a DNA test with iGENEA. From the detailed sample taking to the advanced DNA analysis through to a fully comprehensive report, the process was enlightening. This technical journey led me to the historical trail of the Schmitt family and how it connects to my sense of identity today.
I. Schmitt
read moreSchmitt: What does the surname Schmitt mean?
The last name Schmitt is a German last name derived from the Middle High German word "schmid", meaning craftsman or blacksmith. Initially, this surname was reserved specifically for an artisan of metal. Over the years, this name has become more widespread and generalized to denote any profession. It has also been adopted by many Jewish families.
Schmitt is a popular family name throughout Germany, but is particularly common in the Rhineland (Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Nord Rhine-Westphalia, and Hessel) as well as in Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and South Tyrol, Italy.
The Schmitt surname can be found in many other countries in Europe, but is particularly common in the United States, where it is ranked as the 11th most common surname according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey. In America, the Schmitt surname is most commonly associated with German-American immigrants who settled in the eastern United States during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Schmitt surname is also associated with some prominent individuals throughout history, such as Karl Schmitt, a Nazi Party official who served in various leadership positions during World War II; Gustave Schmitt, a French botanist; and J. Gordon Schmitt, an American astrophysicist and astronaut.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmitt: Where does the name Schmitt come from?
The last name Schmitt is most common in Germany, Spain, and Austria. It is present in a number of other countries as well, but in smaller numbers. In Germany, it is the 24th most-common family name, with an estimated 294,000 people bearing the name.
In Spain, it is the 199th most popular family name, and in Austria, it is the 32nd most popular. Outside of Europe, the name is found in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, India, and other countries.
The name likely has multiple origins. Germanic-language origins of the name include a short form of the personal name Schmidt and the Middle High German smitt(e) for ‘smith’ indicating an occupation.
It could also have derived from a similar word meaning ‘judgment’ or the related medieval Latin term for ‘decision’ and so may have indicated a judge or magistrate. The name also appears in Jewish records, likely as an adaptation of the non-Jewish surname.
The name Schmitt is a popular surname among German-language speakers all over the world. It is also quite common within the United States, where it is the 367th most commonly found family name according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2000 Census.
Variations of the surname Schmitt
The surname Schmitt is a common German surname derived from the Middle High German word “smide,” meaning “smith.” It is said to mean “worker or maker of tools.” In addition to spelling the name Schmitt, it can also be found with various other common spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Variant spellings of Schmitt include Schmid, Schmidt, Schmitt, Schmitz, Smit, Smid, Smidt, Schmidth, Schmittheisler, Schmied, Schmiedel, Schmieder, Schwab, and Schwebach.
Common surnames with the same origin as Schmitt include, but are not limited to, Schwarz, Schwalm, Schweitzer, Zimmermann, Kahles, Kraushaar, Krauss, Kratz, Krenz, Krebs, Rathman, Rathmann, Scheid, Seybold, and Seyboth.
The most common surnames with the same origin as Schmitt, which come from the Middle High German “smide” meaning “smith,” are of course Smith, Smidt, and Schneider. Other common surnames include Shmidt, Schmid, Scheirman, Schirmer, Schmierer, Smid, and Schmiedel.
In terms of spelling variations for this name, there are also many English spellings, such as Smithe, Shmitt, Schmitte, Schmytthe, and Smitth. Additionally, there is a Dutch variation which is spelled Schmitthe, and a French spelling which is Schmidtte. Other Swedish spellings are Schmiedt, and German spellings include Schmidt and Schmieder.
No matter the spelling, all of the above surnames share a common origin and are considered variations of Schmitt.
Famous people with the name Schmitt
- Neil Schmitt: Neil Schmitt is an American environmental engineer, best known for his pioneering work on the geochemistry of soils, trace metals, and the environmental impact of human activities on water resources.
- Michael Schmitt: Michael Schmitt is a US Air Force Brigadier General and a Fellow at the Center for Cyber Law and Policy at the U.S. Naval War College. He is an expert on international law and space law and a guest reviewer of reports related to those fields.
- Henry Schmitt: Henry Schmitt was a Swiss-American mathematician, working primarily in the field of number theory. He is best known for his work on algebraic and arithmetic functions, as well as the study of quadratic forms.
- Adam Schmitt: Adam Schmitt is an American musician, singer-songwriter and producer best known as the leader of the critically acclaimed band Fun Year. He has been a key figure in the indie rock scene since the mid-1990s.
- Scott Schmitt: Scott Schmitt is an American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the welterweight division. He is a former Bellator MMA Welterweight Champion and holds the record for the most consecutive wins in the promotion.
- Jackie Schmitt: Jackie Schmitt is an American equity analyst and business executive. She is the former CFO of Yahoo! and is a board member of several public companies.
- Robert Schmitt: Robert Schmitt was a German-born chemist who emigrated to the United States in 1933. He developed several new techniques for the analysis of metals and other substances for industry.