Schmidt Family Crest and Surname Origin
A short guide to the Schmidt surname: its meaning, its roots in Germany, and its heraldry.
Origin of the Schmidt name
Schmidt means "smith", a worker in metal, from the Middle High German smit. Smiths were essential in every community, so the name formed independently across the German-speaking world. It is the second most common surname in Germany, and many emigrants became Smith in America.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Schmidt name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Schmidt name in Germany. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as Austria, Switzerland and the United States; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Schmidt family history
The researched Schmidt pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Schmidt coat of arms.
Schmidt name FAQ
What does the Schmidt name mean?
Smith. Common variants include Schmitt, Schmid, Schmitz.
Where does the Schmidt surname come from?
It originates in Germany, and is also found in Austria, Switzerland and the United States.
Is there a Schmidt coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Schmidt crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Schmidt coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Duden Familiennamen; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).