Surname Smeds - Meaning and Origin
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Smeds: What does the surname Smeds mean?
The last name 'Smeds' is of Swedish origin and is found primarily in Scandinavia. It is derived from the Swedish word 'smed' which translates to 'smith', denoting someone who works with metal. The name may have been used to indicate an ancestor who was a blacksmith, forging metal objects and weapons for the community.
Smeds could also be derived from the Swedish word 'smedstorp', which translates to 'smith's village' and is also a placename found in Sweden. This indicates that the original Smeds family was from a village of blacksmiths or, conversely, the inhabitants of a village named after a famous blacksmith of the region.
The Smeds family is part of Scandinavian heritage and culture and is often associated with industry, hard work and creativity. Those with this last name are often seen as strong-willed and creative. They have a great work ethic and a talent for crafting unique and useful items from metal.
Although the Smeds name is not as common today as it once was, it is still a meaningful and significant part of the Scandinavian cultural legacy. It carries with it the qualities of strength, creativity, hard work and determination that are the hallmarks of the Swedish people.
Order DNA origin analysisSmeds: Where does the name Smeds come from?
The last name Smeds is a relatively common last name found today, primarily in Northern Europe and the Scandinavian countries. Smeds is especially common in Finland, where it is the 53rd most popular name. It is also a fairly common name in Sweden, with it ranking as the 74th most common name, and Norway, where it is the 99th most common name.
In addition to being found in Northern Europe, the last name Smeds also appears in other areas of the world with Swedish populations. Countries with significant Swedish populations like the United States, Canada, and Australia all feature the last name Smeds as one of the more commonly encountered last names.
The last name Smeds is derived from the Old Norse word smith. It was originally used as an occupational name for someone who worked as a blacksmith or farrier in a village. People with the last name Smeds often make trace their lineage back to a Swede, Norwegian, or Finnish settler who adopted it as his or her name.
Given its prevalence in Finland, Sweden, and Norway, the last name Smeds is likely to remain a fairly common last name among the descendants of these settlers. As more Swedish-speaking people move to other parts of the world, the name will continue to spread and be found in other countries as well.
Variations of the surname Smeds
Smeds (pronounced SME (rhymes with ‘me’) DZ) is a Scandinavian surname derived from the word ‘smed,’ meaning blacksmith. It is the first known written record of the family name in Sweden, dating back to the early 16th century.
Variations of the surname Smeds include Smidts, Smed, Smedts, Smitts, Smid, Smidt, Smite, Smidst, Smitt, and Smit.
In Finland, spelling variants include Smeds and Smaeds. In Estonia, variations are Smitts and Smids. In Norway and Iceland, the surname is occasionally spelt Smedes.
In some instances, the Smeds family name has been linked to known forenames, such as Smedbeck (pronounced SME (rhymes with ‘me’) DEK) with spelling variants Smetbeck, Smitbeck, and Smidbeck.
Further surnames of the same origin include the Dutch name Smits, the English name Smith, and the Scottish Smoot.
Families with the Smeds surname commonly live in the Scandinavian countries: Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland. Today, there are also many families in the United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, and other countries who have adopted the Smeds surname.
Famous people with the name Smeds
- Paul Smedberg: Democratic politician from Virginia known for his advocacy of LGBTQ+ rights, public transportation, and affordable housing.
- Betsy Smeds: Swedish actress and model who has acted in films such as ‘NORM’ and ‘Känn ingen sorg’.
- Britt Smeds: Swedish artist and illustrator whose work has appeared in magazines and books as well as in the advertising campaigns of multinational companies.
- Mike Smeds: Finnish former professional footballer who won the Finnish Cup in 1999 and currently is a coach for the Vaasan Palloseura football club.
- Brook Smeds: American dancer, choreographer, and television host who has appeared on several television shows including ‘Dancing With The Stars’ and ‘So You Think You Can Dance’.
- Staffan Smeds: Swedish painter and sculptor who is known for his colorful abstract compositions.
- Karina Smeds: Swedish painter and sculptor whose works are featured in many public galleries including the Stockholm Museum of Modern Art.
- Peter Smeds: Austrian-American actor who is best known for his roles in films such as ‘The Goonies’, ‘Fatal Attraction’, and ‘Spaceballs’.
- Clive Smeds: English actor and comedian best known for his work on the sitcoms ‘The Thick of It’ and ‘Utopia’.
- Martina Smeds: Swedish fashion designer who has collaborated with luxury brands such as Dior and Burberry.