Surname Kleinschmiedt - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kleinschmiedt: What does the surname Kleinschmiedt mean?
The last name Kleinschmiedt has both German and Dutch roots. The German origins of the name are derived from the Middle High German term “schmiede” meaning “forge” and “kleine” meaning “small.” Thus, “Kleinschmiedt” can be literally translated to mean “small forge”. This name is most likely in reference to individuals who were blacksmiths or worked in metal manufacturing.
The Dutch version of the name is more likely derived from the combination of two words - “klein” which means “small” and “schmidt” which means “smith”. This translation is also likely connected to individuals who were involved in metalworking.
The name Kleinschmiedt is still relatively popular in both Germany and the Netherlands, with a few hundred people having the surname in the two countries. Although the exact origin of the name is uncertain, it is certain that it was likely given for a family that had a direct connection to metalworking or had a family member locally known for his or her craftsmanship.
Order DNA origin analysisKleinschmiedt: Where does the name Kleinschmiedt come from?
The last name Kleinschmiedt is most commonly found today in Germany, where the surname originated and remains most widely used. It is an example of a name borne by a blacksmith or armourer, and is composed of the German words for small forging (Klein) and smith (Schmiedt). Kleinschmiedt is a common name in Northern Germany, particularly in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Brandenburg. It is also present in Austria, the Netherlands, and countries of Central and Eastern Europe including the Czech Republic, Romania, Russia, and Ukraine.
In the United States, the name is found in all 50 states, but is most frequent in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The family may have immigrated to America from Germany in the eighteenth century, though some records suggest that members of the Kleinschmiedt family also came to the US from Moravia in the 1860s. The town of Kleinschmiede in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern might be the ancestral home of the American branch of the family.
It is possible that the name is sometimes referred to as Smitham or Smallsmith, depending on how it has been anglicized. Those bearing the surname are present in both Germany and the US today, and are likely to have descended from artisans and craftsmen of a bygone era.
Variations of the surname Kleinschmiedt
Kleinschmiedt is a rare surname of German origin which is also found in North America, and other parts of the world. Its various spellings include Kleinschmidt, Klein-Schmidt, Klein-Schmitt, Kleinschmit, Kleinschmitt, Klein-Schmiedt, Kleinschmiedt, Klein-Schmedt, Kleinschmedt, Kleinschmid. Similar surnames may include Klein-Smith, Klein-Schmeidt, Klein-Schmied, Klein-Schmierer, Klein-Schmeider, Klein-Schmieder, Klein-Schmeiser, and Klein-Schmieler.
The literal translation of Kleinschmiedt is “small blacksmith,” and is most likely linked to an ancestor who was a blacksmith or worked in the blacksmithing trade. According to Skemman.is, the name Kleinschmiedt is documented in parts of the Europe in the 13th century, and was often used as a descriptive name to describe people who held specific trades, such as blacksmiths.
The variation of spellings is dependent on local dialects. In some areas, the "Kleinschmiedt" spelling might be more common and be pronounced "cleen-SHMITE," while in other areas, the spelling and pronunciation can be quite different. For example, in some areas of Germany, "Klein-Schmiedt" is pronounced "kine-SHMEET", and "Klein-Schmtte" is more common in parts of Holland. In North America, the surname may have taken on variants due to language barriers, the misspelling of common names, and changes in spellings over time.
Overall, the surname Kleinschmiedt comes from a descriptive name and is linked to those of a blacksmithing family. It has several variants and spellings, which can vary depending on the local language and the time period.
Famous people with the name Kleinschmiedt
- Martin Kleinschmiedt: German four-time gold medalist swimmer and former president of the German Swimming Federation.
- Tom Kleinschmidt: Former professional American football player in the NFL, best known for his brief stint with the Seattle Seahawks.
- Allen Kleinschmidt: American World War II flying ace credited with downing at least 8 enemy aircraft.
- Kelly Kleinschmidt: Former member of Australia's Olympic rifle team, represented the country in two Olympics.
- Ulrich Kleinschmiedt: German skier, and trainer of the teams for Sweden and Germany, developed training methods which increased efficiency of training.
- Andreas Kleinschmiedt: German sculptor and painter who has exhibited his works in museums and galleries around the world.
- John Kleinschmiedt: Former college softball player who was inducted into the Central Michigan University Hall of Fame.
- Jeff Kleinschmiedt: 2-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion for the North Dakota State Bisons.
- Linda Kleinschmiedt: Chief Executive Officer of the German Women's Association and prominent advocate for women's sports.
- Elisabeth Kleinschmiedt: A Swiss literary figure and publisher, known for her works on sexuality and female identity.