Surname Breitschmid - Meaning and Origin
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Breitschmid: What does the surname Breitschmid mean?
The last name Breitschmid is derived from the Old High German “brīt-schmide”, which is a compound of two words. “Brīt” is derived from the Proto- Germanic “breithan”, which means broad, and “schmide”, which means smith. Together, the two words mean “smith of the broad stripe”. This most likely refers to a job or profession of the person who originally held the last name, such as a blacksmith or an armorer.
The name Breitschmid was quite common during the Middle Ages, and the Ashkenazi Jews of Germany and Eastern Europe adopted the name upon their conversion to Christianity. This name was also recorded in many baptismal records during the migration of the Ashkenazi Jews to the United States. It is believed that many Breitschmid families are descended from those original Jewish immigrants.
Today, the name Breitschmid is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries, the United States, Australia, and various parts of Europe. It is a variant of the more commonly known name Breitenbach, which has a similar derivation and meaning. While the origin of the Breitschmid family is lost to time, it is clear that the name was important to many throughout history, and that its bearer carries a proud legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisBreitschmid: Where does the name Breitschmid come from?
The last name Breitschmid is most commonly found in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, although variants such as "Brieschmidt" and "Breschmidt" are also found in other parts of Europe. This family name is believed to have originated in Switzerland, where records of the family date back to the 1500s. A branch of the family migrated to Germany in the 1600s. Breitschmid is most common in the German-speaking countries of Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. In Switzerland, it is one of the top 500 most common surnames. In Germany, it is among the top 1000 most common surnames and in Austria it is among the top 1300 most common surnames.
Breitschmid is an occupational surname derived from the Old German “Bruedrischmidt” which literally means “carpenter”. During the late Middle Ages, carpentry was an important economic activity in the Alps, and the Breitschmid family can trace its roots in carpentry to this period. Over the centuries, family members of this line have been recorded in many places as builders, carpenters, joiners, contractors, architects, and woodworkers.
Today, this last name is most commonly found in German-speaking countries such as Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. Also, variants of the surname can be found in other parts of Europe, particularly those with Germanic histories. Family members can further trace their roots in carpentry, and many members of this line still hold a strong connection to this profession.
Variations of the surname Breitschmid
Breitschmid is an old Swiss-Germanic surname. It can be spelled differently in different countries and languages. In the United States, the spelling of the surname is usually reduced to Breit or Brite. In Germany, the most common spellings of the surname are Breitschmidt and Breitschmitt, as well as Breitkreuz or Breitzsch. In France, the spelling is more likely to be Breitenmair or Brietman. In Austria, it is also spelled as Breitenmayer or Breitenmüller, as well as Breitzsch. In Italy, the surname is often spelled Breitenmo. Additionally, the surname may have various other variations and alternative spellings, such as Bretschmied, Brettschmied or Brettschneider.
The surname is derived from the German phrase “breit” meaning wide and “schmied” meaning smith. It is an occupational surname, thus it means the descendant of someone who was a professional smith and made wide tools and weapons. The surname is also sometimes derived from the topographic “breit” meaning wide and schneider, meaning tailor and thus the surname is a topographic surname derived from the word for a wide plain.
The variants and surnames of the same origin include Bretschmied, Brettschmied, Brettschneider, Breitenmair, Brietman, Breitkreuz, Breitzsch, Breitenmo, Breitenmayer, Breitenmüller as well as other alternative spellings.
Famous people with the name Breitschmid
- Egbert Breitschmid: A renowned German athlete, a Greco-Roman wrestler who won multiple medals in the Olympics during the 1960s and 1970s.
- Jürg Breitschmid: A Swiss actor and director who has been active in the entertainment industry since the late 1960s.
- Irina Breitschmid: A German actress, known for her roles in films and television shows such as "Der Tag an dem die Eltern weg waren" and "Die Kommissarin".
- Jürgen Breitschmid: A Swiss biologist and academic, currently professor emeritus in the department of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Zurich.
- Andreas Breitschmid: A Swiss artist and entrepreneur, recognized for his works in painting, photography, film, and music.
- Adele Breitschmid: A Swiss composer and pianist, mainly recognized for her chamber music works.
- Kuno Breitschmid: A Swiss sculptor, best known for his public art pieces in Switzerland and the surrounding area.
- Stefan Breitschmid: A Swiss journalist, well-known for his coverage of international politics for Swiss newspapers.
- Robert Breitschmid: A German geographer and professor at the University of Vienna.
- Fred Breitschmid: A Swiss businessman and entrepreneur, most notable for founding and managing several Swiss-based companies.