Surname Schmittmeier - Meaning and Origin
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Schmittmeier: What does the surname Schmittmeier mean?
The last name Schmittmeier is a German surname thought to have originated from the Rhineland area of Germany and, as a result, is a common surname in Germany and surrounding areas. It is thought to be derived from a combination of two Germanic words: "Schmitt" which means judge or arbitrator, and "meier" which means mayor.
Together, these two root words suggest the Schmittmeier surname was originally borne by authoritative figures or people who were respected within their community, such as mayors or judges. This is typical of many German surnames which often suggest the profession the original bearer engaged in.
The Schmittmeier surname is quite common in the Rhineland region of Germany, and is also seen in areas such as Austria, Switzerland and other countries including America, Canada, and Australia, all of which have seen the emigration of German-speaking people.
Today, the Schmittmeier surname may be seen in various forms, such as Schmidtmeier, Schmiedmeier, Schmittmeir, and Schmitmeier. Regardless of how it is spelt, Schmittmeier is a German surname that is believed to have originally referred to a judge or mayor who was influential and respected in their community.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmittmeier: Where does the name Schmittmeier come from?
The last name Schmittmeier is most common in Germany today, as that is where the name originated from. In Germany, Schmittmeier is one of the top 500 surnames, meaning that about 0.05% of the population possesses this last name. It is most prominent in eastern Germany, and especially in the states of Saxony-Anhalt and Hesse.
Outside of Germany, Schmittmeier is less prominent. In the United States, the surname ranks outside of the top 1000 surnames, and is found mostly in the northeastern states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania. In Canada, the name is scarce but also found mostly in the eastern provinces of Ontario and Newfoundland. In other European countries, the name appears only sporadically.
The name Schmittmeier is derived from the word “Schmidt”, which means “blacksmith” or “metalworker” in German, and the suffix “-meier”, which is an occupational term often used to denote someone's family occupation. As such, this last name originated as a description of one's occupation, indicating they were from a family of blacksmiths, metalworkers, or armorers.
Today, this family name is mostly found in the German-speaking countries, although it does have some representation in the United States and Canada. It is still a unique surname, and anyone who possesses the name can choose to trace back their history to learn more about the family’s past.
Variations of the surname Schmittmeier
Schmittmeier is an old German surname derived from the words "schmiede" (smith) and "meier" (mayor) and ultimately from the Latin word "magister". The primary variants of the surname Schmittmeier are Schmittmeyer, Schmiedmeyer, Schneidmeyer, Schmatmeyer, and Schmandtmeier.
Schmittmeyer is the most frequent variant of the Schmittmeier surname. This spelling has been used since the early 1700s in several German regions. Other variants of Schmittmeyer include Schmiedmeyer, Schmandmeyer, Schneidmeyer, and Schmatmeyer. The last two spellings, Schmandtmeir and Schmatmeyer, became more popular in the early 1900s.
In some cases, variants of the Schmittmeier surname have been spelled differently when adopted by members of the same family. These spellings include Schmiedermeier, Schmiedmaier, and Schmandmeier. In addition, the surname has been further anglicized over the years, with other variants that include: Smithmeir, Smithmaier, Meir, Myers, and Myer.
The various spellings of the Schmittmeier surname can be traced back to a single ancestor, or "stammvater". The earliest known ancestor of the Schmittmeier family was Johann Schmittmeyer, born in the late 1600s in the Palatinate region of Germany.
Finally, there are numerous variants of the Schmittmeier surname that have emerged over the centuries, including but not limited to: Schmiedermeier, Schmiedmaier, Schmandmeier, Smithmeir, Smithmaier, Meir, Myers, and Myer. Ultimately, though, these all trace their roots back to the same family heir in the form of Johann Schmittmeyer.
Famous people with the name Schmittmeier
- Lena Schmittmeier: a German YouTuber and influencer who creates beauty, lifestyle, and travel content.
- Gudrun Schmittmeier: a German politician from the Social Democratic Party.
- Sebastian Schmittmeier: a German sprint canoeist who won a gold medal in the K-1 1000 m event at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
- Christoph Schmittmeier: a German former football player.
- Thomas Schmittmeier: a German football official and former footballer.
- Johannes Schmittmeier: a German former wrestler who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
- Karoline Schmittmeier: a German resistance fighter in World War II.
- Werner Schmittmeier: a German former members of the European Parliament.
- Wilhelm Schmittmeier: a German former sprint canoeist who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
- Ilona Schmittmeier: a German actress.