Surname Schmittbauer - Meaning and Origin
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Schmittbauer: What does the surname Schmittbauer mean?
The last name Schmittbauer is believed to be of German origin, coming from the Old High German term “smizz-bouhar” which translates to “armour-maker”. The name was thought to be a nickname for a person who was involved in metal-working trades - either someone who made armours or weapons.
In many cases, the Schmittbauer name may also be derived from the root word “smeit”, which is alternatively spelled along with a variation of the spelling, “schmeit”. This word is a common Germanic term for ‘smith’, which comes from the Germanic word for ‘smite’, meaning ‘to forge’. This could mean that the name was given to someone who was a blacksmith or smithy, or even a metalworker of some kind.
The Schmittbauer surname can also be derived from the term “schmitt” or “schmied”, both of which are German words which mean ‘blacksmith’. It was common for Germanic names to be derived from these descriptive terms and, as such, it is highly likely that many people with the Schmittbauer name are connected to the metalworking trade.
The Schmittbauer name can also be found with a variety of different spellings and names throughout Europe. Common variations include Scmidtbauer, Schmiedtbauer, Schmittbauer, Schmidbauer and Schmidauer.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmittbauer: Where does the name Schmittbauer come from?
The last name Schmittbauer is still common today, particularly in Germany and several surrounding countries. It is most common in the German regions of Bavaria, Franconia, and central Palatinate, where the majority of its current bearers live. The name is also found in Austria, Czech Republic, Belarus, Croatia, and Switzerland. In the United States, the name is particularly common in the Midwest states such as Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Within these states, it is especially concentrated in Minnesota, where it can be found in counties like Hennepin, Washington, Ramsey, and Anoka.
Schmittbauer is a patronymic surname, derived from an ancestor’s first name, in this case likely 'Schmidt'. Beginning in the 9th century, German surnames began to form by adding a suffix, such as -er or -bauer, to an ancestor's first name. This process was largely completed by the 14th century. The Schmittbauer surname thus likely originates from a surname of 'Schmidt' or 'Schmitt'.
The surname is thought to have come from the old Germanic words ‘smid’ or ‘smidt’, meaning “blacksmith” or “metalworker”. This would suggest that the earliest bearers of the Schmittbauer surname were likely metalworkers, wielding tools to create useful items such as swords, tools, and armor.
The Schmittbauer surname today is a testament to the creative and industrious heritage of its earliest bearers. It continues to be passed down from generation to generation, preserving the history of those who came before.
Variations of the surname Schmittbauer
The surname Schmittbauer is derived from the German words "schmi(t)t" meaning "smith" or "blacksmith," and "bauer" meaning "farmer or peasant." This surname is commonly found in Bavaria.
Common variants and spellings of Schmittbauer include Schmidbauer, Schmidtbauer, Schmiedbauer, Schmetbauer, Schmietbauer and Smidbauer. All of these variants are spelled differently but still indicate origin from an ancestor who was a smith or farmer.
Surnames can also vary between generations, so a few surnames that are related to Schmittbauer may be Schmittmiller, Schmittmeyer, Schmittsmith, Schmittmeier, and often times hyphenated forms like Schmitt-Bauer, Schmitt-Mayer, or Schmitt-Smith.
Schmittbauer is not often found outside of Germany or Austria. However, there are variants of the surname found in countries such as the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, Sweden, and elsewhere in Europe. In the United States, the Schmittbauer surname may be seen as Smithbauer or Schmidtbauer.
Regardless of the variations, the surname Schmittbauer originates from Germany and has kept its meaning: an individual from a family of a smith and a farmer.
Famous people with the name Schmittbauer
- Franziska Schmittbauer: an Austrian ski racer who competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics
- Erich Schmittbauer: a German mountain climber known for being part of the first successful ascent of the north face of the Eiger
- Albert Schmittbauer: an Austrian watercolor painter
- Michael Schmittbauer: a German composer, pianist, music producer and professor at the Bavarian Academy of Music
- Franz Schmittbauer: an Austrian librarian, one of the founding members of the Austrian Library Association
- Karl Schmittbauer: an Austrian painter and graphic artist
- Anne Schmittbauer: an Austrian journalist and writer
- Dominik Schmittbauer: a German contemporary artist
- Frank Schmittbauer: a German cabaret artist and actor
- Johann Schmittbauer: a German mathematician and physicist