Where does “Schmidt” come from?

Schmidt is a German occupational surname derived from Old Norse smiðr, Danish smed, and Proto-Germanic smiþaz, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European smēy-, meaning to work metal or create.

Ancestry of “Schmidt”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1GermanSchmidta smith; smith
2DanishSmedsmith (craftsperson who works metal)
3Old Norsesmiðrsmith, a craftsman
4Proto-Germanicsmiþazcraftsman, smith
5Proto-Indo-Europeansmēy-—

Words derived from “Schmidt”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European smēy- →Every word from Proto-Germanic smiþaz →Every word from Old Norse smiðr →