Surname Kleinschmitt - Meaning and Origin
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Kleinschmitt: What does the surname Kleinschmitt mean?
The last name Kleinschmitt is a German name, derived from a surname made up of two Middle High German words: "klein" (small) and "schmidt" (blacksmith). It is thought to have originated as a nickname for a small blacksmith, likely given in recognition and admiration for their skill and craftsmanship.
The best example of this usage of the name is from the town of Gmünden in Bavaria, where a blacksmith named Jacob Kleinschmid is recorded in the 15th century. His great-grandson, Hans Georg Kleinschmid, appears in the records from 1607.
Kleinschmitt, then, is a creator surname, highlighting the blacksmith as the family’s master craftsman—someone who designed and crafted tools, weapons, armor, and structural elements.
In modern times, the name is still found in Germany, as well as throughout the United States, Canada, South Africa, and New Zealand. It is an indicator of their distant relatives’ hard work and craftsmanship.
Order DNA origin analysisKleinschmitt: Where does the name Kleinschmitt come from?
The last name Kleinschmitt is a German-origin surname found mostly in the German-speaking parts of Europe, as well as North America and other parts of the world with a German diaspora. In Europe, this surname is most common in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the countries of the former East Germany. In North America, the last name can be found in significant numbers in German-American enclaves in the United States, such as Pennsylvania, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, as well as in German-Canadian communities in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The surname can also be found, to a much lesser degree, in other parts of the world where German immigrants have settled since the 17th century onwards, including Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, France, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa — areas where German-speaking populations helped to settle and develop those countries.
The origin of the Kleinschmitt surname is likely occupational. It is thought to be derived from a Middle High German word meaning "small smith" or someone who carried out small metalworking tasks, such as making and fixing tools, weapons, and metal household items.
Today, the surname is still common in the parts of the world where its bearer's ancestors primarily settled historically. In some countries, such as the United States, the surname is quite widespread due to intermarriages between the Kleinschmitt family and other German-American families, leading to the growth of the German-American population over time.
Variations of the surname Kleinschmitt
The surname Kleinschmitt is derived from the German words “Klein”, meaning “small”, and “Schmitt”, meaning “blacksmith”. As such, the surname is often associated with somebody of short stature who was a blacksmith by profession. The name Kleinschmitt can appear in a variety of different spellings, such as Kleynsmid, Kleinsmid, Kleinschmied, Kleinsschmid, and Kleinsmied.
In different parts of the world, particularly in eastern Europe, Kleinschmitt would be the equivalent of paid work in Slavic countries and is equivalent to the German language word Panzermeister, which translates directly as “armourmaker”.
The various forms of Kleinschmitt can also have various regional spellings in the countries that speak different languages, such as Polish Kleinemann, Brazilian Cleynsmidt, Italian picciamiche, and Spanish Kleinschmidt.
Kleinschmitt can also be a regional form of Kleinschmied. This word means “small smith” and was traditionally used for individuals who had mastered the craft of hand-forged metalwork. As a surname, it is often thought to have originated from northern Germany.
The spelling is often changed by different parts of Europe as we moved across various countries, and for those individuals who are of Scottish descent, the surname Kleinschmitt can be written in the form of Macclesmid.
In conclusion, the surname Kleinschmitt appears in many different forms, and it is primarily derived from the German words “Klein” meaning “small”, and “Schmitt” meaning “blacksmith”. It is also associated with being a paid smith in some Slavic countries, and its spelling can take many regional variations depending on which country it is in.
Famous people with the name Kleinschmitt
- Christina Kleinschmitt, German hurdler and Olympic medalist.
- Matthias Kleinschmidt, a German biathlete and 1988 Winter Olympics Gold medalist.
- Rev. Andrew Kleinschmidt, an American Lutheran pastor and seminary professor.
- Will Kleinschmidt, an American professional golfer.
- William Thomas Kleinschmidt, American Lutheran pastor and writer.
- Wolf Kleinschmidt, German military officer, Knight's Cross holder and businessman.
- Dr. Olaf Kleinschmidt, German engineer and innovator.
- Hans Kleinschmidt, German athlete and gold medalist who competed in track and field at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
- Uwe Kleinschmidt, German politician, former President of the Bundestag.
- Daisy Kleinschmidt, an American music artist.