Surname Schömehl - Meaning and Origin
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Schömehl: What does the surname Schömehl mean?
The surname Schömehl (or Schoemehl, Schömel, Schoemel) is a German surname that likely originated from the root word “schöm”, which in old German meant a wooden vessel or container. This name could be a metonymic occupational name for a cooperer (a barrel-maker), a maker of wooden vats or barrels for holding liquids. It could also refer to a person who brewed beer or wine, smoked and sold fish, salted meat, or made butter.
The surname Schömehl is associated with Westphalia, a historical region in Germany, located in the extreme northwestern part of the country. The geographical area was described by different sources as the area between the Soest, Munster, Ruhr, and Weser Rivers. From the Middle Ages onward, Westphalia was a contested area between numerous powers, including the Hanseatic League, the Principality of Minden, Prussia, and the Holy Roman Empire.
In ancient German records, the name Schömehl is often spelled as “Schömhelle”, where the second syllable “le” is an old German suffix -le that was often added to family names at the end, to indicate a place. Therefore, it is likely that the meaning of Schömehl is “a person or family associated with the place of Schöm”, which could be a topographic place name in Westphalia region.
Overall, the first name Schömehl probably referred to a person who lived near a particular place in Westphalia, or to a person who worked as an oak-cooper making casks or barrels for the regional beer-brewing industry.
Order DNA origin analysisSchömehl: Where does the name Schömehl come from?
The last name Schömehl is most commonly found today in Germany and parts of Eastern Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, Poland, Romania, and Lithuania. It is an occupational surname, meaning that it was adopted by people who performed a specific job, and it means “pot maker” or “pan maker” in German. It is possible that a smith or tinsmith with this name specialized in making pots or pans. It is also a patronymic name, meaning that it is derived from the personal name of a male ancestor.
The last name Schömehl is quite rare in the United States today, but there are a few documented family trees and individuals living in the country with this last name. Some of the earliest recordings of Schömehl families in the United States date back to the late 1800s when a few individuals emigrated from Germany, settling mainly in Illinois and California. Records show that descendants of these families and individuals are mostly concentrated in those same two states.
Today, the Schömehl name is more prevalent in Germany, where it is estimated that there are over 3,900 people living with the surname Schömehl. Many of these people are descended from the same family with the same surname, and this population is largely concentrated in the western and northern areas of Germany.
For individuals with the Schömehl surname, tracing their family trees and ancestry is a fascinating experience, delving into a unique piece of history. Though the last name is relatively uncommon, it remains an important part of German history and culture today.
Variations of the surname Schömehl
Schömehl is an uncommon German surname with a variety of spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin. Schömehl is derived from the Old German word ‘schon’ which means ‘pretty’, and ‘heil’ meaning ‘safe’.
The most common variant of Schömehl is Schönmahl, pronounced ‘SHURN-mahl’, which is derived from the same Old German etymology. Other variants include Schoeneck, Schönemann and Schoehel.
Variations of Schömehl occurring in Germany today, include Schöhmael, Schömel, Schömeling, Schömmel, Schömelin, Schöning, and Schöningen. It is important to note that some of these variants are only found in certain parts of Germany and may not be common in other areas.
Surnames of the same origin as Schömehl include Schött, Schöttle, Schötz, Schötzle, Schöck, Schöckert and Schöpp. Some of these surnames may have more than one variant spelling as well.
In the United States, Schömehl may be found as some of the same spellings, as well as Schömig, Schömlig, Schömlich, Schoemick, Schoemig, Schoemling and Schoemmler.
In summary, Schömehl is an uncommon German surname, and has a variety of spelling variations, variants and surnames of the same origin including Schönmahl, Schoeneck, Schönemann, Schoehel, Schoett, Schoettle, Schötz, Schötzle and more. In the United States, this surname may also be seen as Schömig, Schömlig, Schömlich, Schoemick, Schoemig, Schoemling and Schoemmler.
Famous people with the name Schömehl
- Egon Schömehl: Egon Schömehl was a German author, publicist and anti-Nazi activist. He had an incredible life and wrote several books before dying in 1953.
- Antony Schömehl: Antony Schömehl is an actor and film director from Germany. He has worked on several feature films, television projects and theater performances.
- Andreas Schömehl: Andreas Schömehl was a German fashion designer who is highly regarded for his mid-20th century fashion designs.
- William J. Schömehl: William J. Schömehl is an American composer who is known for his choral compositions.
- Norbert Schömehl: Norbert Schömehl is a German classical guitar composer who has written over 200 works for the instrument.
- Robert Schömehl: Robert Schömehl is a German former racing cyclist who competed in the 1920s.
- Georg Schömehl: Georg Schömehl was a German runner who competed in the 1932 Summer Olympics.
- Thomas Schömehl: Thomas Schömehl is a German professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Greuther Fürth in the 2. Bundesliga.
- Christian Schömehl: Christian Schömehl is a German composer, pianist, organist and choir director. He currently works as a professor at the Church Music Institute at the University of Mainz.
- Adalbert Schömehl: Adalbert Schömehl was a German sculptor, art restorer and teacher. He is best known for his works in bronze.