Surname Schmitz - Meaning and Origin
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A personal journey with iGENEA: Unraveling the DNA of the Schmitz Family
Embarking on a journey with iGENEA led to a rollercoaster ride of emotions as it reshaped my understanding of my family history, and, undoubtedly, myself. Learning the unexpected Eastern European origin of my surname, Schmitz, turned into an enlightening experience, broadening my perspective and creating an enhanced sense of connectivity.
R. Schmitz
read moreSchmitz: What does the surname Schmitz mean?
The surname Schmitz is of German origin and was originally a nickname for a blacksmith. The name is derived from the German word for "smith," which is "Schmied." In some cases, the name is also thought to have been derived from the Middle High German word "schimmez" which was a term to describe someone who was dark of features or color.
The surname Schmitz has a long history in Germany and quickly spread to surrounding countries. Many immigrants and refugees bearing the name Schmitz found their way to the United States and Canada. In the early days in North America, the surname Schmitz was most common in Pennsylvania, but immigrants quickly spread out across the country.
Since then, the surname Schmitz has become increasingly common throughout the United States and Canada. Despite its long history, there is no single definitive meaning for the surname Schmitz, as it was originally derived from two different words and is associated with many different meanings. Today, the name is most often used as an occupational surname for one involved in the blacksmith trade.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmitz: Where does the name Schmitz come from?
The last name Schmitz is most commonly found today in Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. It is also found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries with significant German-speaking populations. In the US, Schmitz is particularly common in the Midwest, especially in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois.
The origin of Schmitz lies in the pre-medieval Germanic personal name “Schmidt”, which was derived from the Proto-Germanic smithaz meaning “blacksmith”. The name refers to a blacksmith or metalworker, and is common in regions where the production of tools and other goods based on metals were practiced. It is likely that the name first arose at some point in the Middle Ages and began spreading through migration as people moved to different parts of Germany, Austria, and other countries.
Today, the Schmitz family is still distinguished by its roots in metallurgy. However, many Schmitz now work in other fields and live in all parts of the world. It is representative of a global German diaspora and shares a common heritage with many of the immigrants who moved to Germany's neighboring countries and beyond.
Variations of the surname Schmitz
The Schmitz surname originates from Germany and has many different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of the common variants of Schmitz include Schmid, Schmidt, Smith, Schnieder, Schmitt, Smidt, Schmitts, Schmiedt, Schmit, Shmid, Schmeid, Smits, Smid, Smitt, Smids, Schmeds, and Schmetz.
The Schmitz surname is derived from the German word ‘schmidt’, which means ‘craftsman’ or ‘smith’. This is why many of the variants are related to occupational trades such as Smith, Smid, Smitt, Smids, Schmeds and Schmiedt.
The surnames Shmid, Smidt and Schmid originate from the personal name ‘Schmid’ meaning ‘Cutting’ or ‘Merciless’. This may have been an occupational name referring to a barber or a nickname for someone who was considered to be strong-willed and determined.
Schmitt and Schmitts are derived from the Germanic name ‘schmitt’ which means ‘servant’. This may have originally been an occupational nickname for someone who worked on a lord’s estate.
The spelling Schmetz is a Dutch and German variant of the surname Schmitz. It is derived from the Germanic word ‘schmeadz’, which means ‘forester’.
In conclusion, the Schmitz surname has many different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Schmid, Schmidt, Smith, Schnieder, Schmitt, Smidt, Schmitts, Schmiedt, Schmit, Shmid, Schmeid, Smits, Smid, Smitt, Schmeds and Schmetz.
Famous people with the name Schmitz
- Alex Schmitz, Australian-born DJ, producer, and entrepreneur
- Alexander Schmitz, German athlete
- Anton Schmitz, Austrian politician
- Bob Schmitz, American former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Danny Schmitz, German professional footballer
- Erwin Schmitz, German banker and businessman
- Fred Schmitz, American politician
- Hans Schmitz, German Olympic medalist
- Johann Schmitz, German composer
- Johanna Schmitz, Swedish lawyer
- Jürgen Schmitz, German politician
- Ledo Schmitz, Brazilian theater actor
- Michael Schmitz, German astronomer
- Peter Schmitz, German tennis player
- Petra Schmitz, German Olympic weightlifter
- Robert Schmitz, American politician and lawyer
- Steve Schmitz, American filmmaker
- Thomas Schmitz, German professional handballer
- Thomas Schmitz-Gerlach, German director
- Wigi Schmitz, Belgian professional footballer