Surname Penningschmidt - Meaning and Origin
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Penningschmidt: What does the surname Penningschmidt mean?
The last name Penningschmidt is believed to be of German origin, probably derived from a place name. It is likely derived from two smaller words—“penning” and “schmidt,” meaning “coin maker” or “moneyer.” In Middle Low German, "penning" referred to coins, small pieces of silver or gold. Historically, “schmidt” meant “smith” or “one who works with metal.” Looking back, one can speculate that those with this last name likely had occupations related to coin-making or had a family history of coin squires or moneyers.
Today, the last name Penningschmidt is quite common in Europe, especially in Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Those with the last name are often associated with specific areas of these countries, such as the Rhineland region of Germany and the province of Overijssel in the Netherlands. Families with this last name are also believed to have immigrated to various parts of the Americas, including the U.S. and Canada, in the 19th century.
Overall, the last name Penningschmidt carries a long and rich history, likely representing people who had a passion and skill for creating and working with coins. Though its meaning has shifted slightly today, it still often has associations with countries in Europe, making it a unique and meaningful family name.
Order DNA origin analysisPenningschmidt: Where does the name Penningschmidt come from?
The Penningschmidt surname is mainly found in Germany and the surrounding countries today. It is a classic German surname and was popular in many German speaking countries such as Austria and the Czech Republic during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The actual origin of the surname is uncertain, although it is thought to have first appeared around the 1600s in the area that is now Prussia. Since the dawn of the industrial revolution, the Penningschmidt surname has been steadily increasing in popularity in Germany and the surrounding countries.
Today, the Penningschmidt surname is still quite common in Germany, with over 3,500 people registering with it. It is also found in many neighboring countries such as Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and France, although to a lesser extent. In the United States, it is much less common but still present, with around 500 people registering with the surname. In the contemporary world, it is also found sporadically in other German-speaking countries such as Argentina and Canada.
Overall, the Penningschmidt surname is still relatively common today. It is mostly found in German speaking countries, although it is present to a lesser degree in many other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Penningschmidt
The surname Penningschmidt is of German origin and is believed to have first arrived in America sometime around the mid-19th century. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Penning, Pennig, Penninger, Pennigsecker, Penninghausen, Penningerhof, Pennighoff, Penningen, and Penninck.
Penning is the most common variant of the Penningschmidt surname because it is derived from the German word “penning”, which means “coin” or “money”. Penninger and Pennig refer to the clan of Penning, and can be broken down further into Penninghausen, Penningerhof, Pennighoff, and Penninck. These variants are associated with various small hamlets in Germany.
Pennigsecker is derived from the words “pfennig” and “secker”, two coins of small denominations minted by Ancient German governments. Penningen is also derived from the word “pfennig” and is roughly translated from German to English as “coins”.
All of these variants of Penningschmidt point to the underlying theme of money, and hint at how the family earned their living at some point in their history. The spelling of the name gradually changed over the generations as individual branches started to settle in different countries and territories, reflecting their linguistic backgrounds and regional influences.
Famous people with the name Penningschmidt
- Hans-Werner Penningschmidt: A German actor best known for his role in the movie Bedways and the television series Bad Banks.
- Charlotte Penningschmidt: British artist and sculptor.
- Carl Penningschmidt: A German entomologist, known for his research and work on beetles.
- Johannes Penningschmidt: A Dutch triathlete who competed in the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics.
- Arthur Penningschmidt: A German biologist and biochemist, noted for his research on photosynthetic bacteria.
- Max Penningschmidt: A German chemist, specializing in the study of proteins and biological macromolecules.
- Regina Penningschmidt: A Swiss actress, known for her roles in television shows such as Der Lehrer and Unter Uns.
- Margarete Penningschmidt: An Austrian illustrator and graphic designer, known for her work in magazines and books.
- Herbert Penningschmidt: A German author and professor of literature, known for his works on theater and literature.
- Fritz Penningschmidt: A German-born Australian painter and street artist, noted for his colorful and eclectic works.