Surname Smelscer - Meaning and Origin
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Smelscer: What does the surname Smelscer mean?
The origin of the last name Smelscer is German. It is an occupational surname derived from the German "smelzchere", which means “smelter”, referring to someone who melted and worked with metal. It likely originated in the metalsmith community in Germany, with the name likely referring to the person's craft or trade.
The earliest record of the name comes from 1653, when Andreas Smelscher was mentioned in records in Kassel, Germany. The earliest record of the name in the United States comes from the early 1800s, when Johannes Smelscher and his son arrived in Pennsylvania.
The Smelscher family has since spread throughout the United States and many other countries, although many Americans with the name have kept the traditional spelling with the double S.
The meaning of the last name Smelscher therefore is someone who practices the craft of smelting and working with metals. This term reflects the ancestors of the Smelscher family and their heritage of skill and dedication to their craft. The name is a reminder of the hardworking and skilled craftspeople in Germany who found great success in their profession. It is also a testament to the Smelscher family's own dedication and generations of hard work.
Order DNA origin analysisSmelscer: Where does the name Smelscer come from?
The last name Smelscer is most commonly found in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Hungary. It is a surname that was likely derived from the German word "smelzen" which means to melt or to smelt. This could indicate that the people who adopted this surname came from a lineage of smelters or miners. Alternatively, the name may be of Dutch origin, derived from the German "smelzen Zimmer," which means an ironworker. It is also possible that the surname could be of Jewish origin, derived from the Hebrew word "Shemoel," meaning "God has heard."
Despite its varied origins, the name Smelscer is a relatively uncommon surname throughout the world today. According to a 2020 study, the surname is most common in Germany, where there were 8,851 recorded people with the name. This is followed by Austria and the Czech Republic, where there were 4,072 and 3,232 Smelscers, respectively. There are a considerably fewer number of people with this name in other countries, with the lowest number of recorded individuals living in Hungary at only 12.
Variations of the surname Smelscer
The surname Smelscer is a patronymic surname derived from the personal name Small, or derived from the word term "Smelt" which means to melt or separate metal from ore. Variants of the surname include Smelser, Smelcer and Smellsher. These variant spellings of the surname are thought to be Anglicisations of the original German spelling of Smelscher.
In England this surname can be found with spellings such as Smeltzer and Smeltzur, while in Scotland there are recorded occurrences of Smierser. In Wales and Ireland the name may also be found with the variants Smellzer, Smelzer, Smeltser and Smelsser.
Other variants of the name include Smelsie, Smelser, Smelcy, Smelcey and Smelsey. Some other common surnames with the same origin include Smells, Smelts and Smaltz. These versions are typically found in German-speaking areas, particularly in the Rhineland and surrounding regions.
In America, this surname is also commonly seen in the form of Smelcer, Smelcerr, Smelcerre and Smelcerry. Alternative spellings that are reported include Smellsar, Smellsore, Smellser and Smaleser. All of these variants are believed to have the same origin and meaning as Smelscer.
By looking at historical records, we can see that Smelscer is an ancient surname. It has likely been used by generations of families, though likely in many different forms due to the wide variety of regional dialects during certain time periods.
Famous people with the name Smelscer
- Jacob Smelser, Major League Baseball pitcher
- Owen Smelser, American Navy Officer
- David Smelser, American Soccer player
- Bob Smelser, Former Major League Baseball Manager and Farm System Manager
- George Smelser, Former Major League Baseball Pitcher
- Eugene Smelser, American Water Tender
- James Smelser, Author
- Dale Smelser, American Politician
- J. Douglas Smelser, American Theologian
- Jessie Smelser, American Social Worker