Schmidtke Name Meaning, Facts & Family History

The surname Schmidtke is of German origin and is derived from the occupational name "Schmidt" or "Schmied," meaning "blacksmith." The suffix "-ke" in the surname is a diminutive, often used to indicate a small or younger person. Therefore, Schmidtke can be interpreted as "little blacksmith" or "son of a blacksmith."
In terms of family history, the Schmidtke surname likely originated with someone who worked as a blacksmith or had a family member who held this occupation. Blacksmithing was a vital and respected profession in medieval times, as blacksmiths were skilled in shaping and forging various types of metalwork.
The Schmidtke surname could have started as a way to distinguish between two individuals with the common surname "Schmidt" or to identify a person's occupation or trade. Over time, families with the surname Schmidtke may have spread out and settled in different regions, creating various branches and lineages.
Like with any surname, the family history of Schmidtke is highly specific to individual families. Tracing one's specific family history would involve research into historical documents, public records, and genealogical records, as well as gathering information from family members and potentially connecting with other individuals who share the same surname.

1. Schmidtke is a German surname derived from the occupational name "Schmidt", meaning "smith" or "blacksmith".
2. The variations of the surname include Schmittke, Schmidke, and Schmidtknecht.
3. The surname is relatively common in Germany and is ranked among the top 10,000 surnames in terms of frequency.
4. The name Schmidtke is generally pronounced as "SHMIDT-keh" or "SHMID-keh" in German.
5. The popularity of the surname can be attributed to the prevalence of blacksmiths in early German society, making "Schmidtke" a descriptive surname for those engaged in the blacksmithing trade.
6. Individuals with the surname Schmidtke can be found in both Germany and in various countries around the world, with German immigration being a significant factor in spreading the name.
7. Famous individuals with the surname Schmidtke include David Schmidtke, a Canadian politician and businessman, and Gretel Bergmann (née Schmidtke), a former German athlete who was excluded from the 1936 Olympics due to her Jewish heritage.
8. The coat of arms for the Schmidtke surname features a shield with a blacksmith's hammer and anvil, symbolizing the occupation associated with the name.
9. Schmidtke is a patronymic surname, meaning it can be passed down from one generation to another as a family name.