Surname Smeikal - Meaning and Origin
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Smeikal: What does the surname Smeikal mean?
The last name Smeikal is a German name that originates from the Middle High German word smit, which means "smith". Historically, the name was used as an occupational surname for a blacksmith or metalworker.
More recently, the family lines of the Smeikals are traceable to the Hanover region of Northern Germany. During the 19th and 20th centuries, many German families emigrated to the United States and other countries. Therefore, the Smeikal name is now found across a variety of countries around the world.
The name has many variants, such as Smeekel and Smekal. Common Christian names of the Smeikal clan include Ludwig, Adam, Ernst Christian, as well as other familiar German names.
Due to its history, the Smeikal surname carries an occupational association and symbolizes the family's considerable skill in metalworking and blacksmithing. As an occupational surname, it implies that the family is very talented in metalworking and tool-making and is a source of pride for those who carry that surname.
Overall, the last name Smeikal brings with it a strong association of skill and sophistication related to metalwork and it is a testament to the family's hardworking heritage and accomplishment.
Order DNA origin analysisSmeikal: Where does the name Smeikal come from?
The last name Smeikal is most commonly found in the Czech Republic, Austria, and Slovakia. Poland and Belarus are also countries where this surname is found, though less common.
The first recorded instance of the surname Smeikal is from 1564, in the Czech Republic. This family branch is listed in regional records as being of Czech nobility, suggesting a likely origin for the name from the mid-1500s.
Since its earliest recorded instances, the surname Smeikal has spread across Europe. In more recent years, it has opened up to other parts of the globe as well. Records show that emigrants from Eastern Europe have carried the Smeikal surname to North America, Australia, and other places around the world.
Today, Smeikal is not a very common surname. It is likely most common in the Czech Republic, where local records report it as being present throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. In neighboring countries such as Austria and Slovakia, Smeikal remains an uncommon yet present surname. Records from Poland also suggest that some Smeikals may have settled there in the 19th century, though this is less common.
Variations of the surname Smeikal
The surname Smeikal is a variant of the German name Schmeikal, which is derived from either the Old German word schmecken (meaning tasty), or the Old High German word smeihan, which means to smile. It can also be spelled many different ways, including Schmeikal, Schmeichel, Schmekall, Schmeykel, and Schmeykele.
Aside from the German variant, Smeikal is thought to be related to the Czech/Slovak name Smekal or Smiekal, which has the same roots from the Old High German words above. It can also be found spelled differently as, Smieckal, Smekal, Smital, and Smickal.
Smeikal is also connected to the Slavic surname Vladimirov which appears to have derived from personal name Vladimir meaning "master of the army" and is still found today in parts of Slovakia, Poland, Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia, and Ukraine as Meikal or Meichel.
Another surname derived from the same roots as Smeikal is Meyer, which is thought to have derived from the Middle High German given name Mair or Meir. This surname can also be found spelled as Mayer, Maier, Meier, Meijer, and Meyers.
Lastly, the surname Stangl is believed to be derived from the German stang meaning 'pole'. It is also the same root as the German surname Stein, which is thought to mean 'stone'. Other spellings for Stangl include, Stangle, Stengl, Stenglein, and Stingel.
Famous people with the name Smeikal
- Andreas Smeikal: German professional football coach
- Julian Smeikal: German footballer
- Bob Smeikal: American swimmer
- Edward Smeikal: Canadian police officer
- Josef Smeikal: Austrian historian
- Vaclav Smeikal: Painter and author
- Rick Smeikal: Canadian illustrator
- Jiří Smeikal: Czech canoeist
- Peter Smeikal: Austrian ice hockey player
- Lukas Smeikal: Czech footballer