Surname Dörrschmidt - Meaning and Origin
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Dörrschmidt: What does the surname Dörrschmidt mean?
The last name Dörrschmidt is a German name, meaning "door smith." It is thought to have derived from the Middle High German "dorresmid," referring to someone who worked as a door or gate maker in the Middle Ages. Thus, the name likely referred to an individual's craftmanship or was a nickname for someone who frequently worked in this profession. This type of trade was likely necessary in the medieval period due to the fact that many towns and villages had protective walls around them.
The profession of door smith was relatively specialized in the Middle Ages, and varied greatly from region to region. In some places, the door smith would be tasked with designing, constructing, and repairing the town's wooden doors and gates, as well as the associated hardware they were built with. Other Ulm-based door smiths would also be responsible for the upkeep of city-owned mills or granaries. Additionally, the door smith may have specialized in creating locks, keys, and other similar products.
Given the high level of craftsmanship involved, individuals who held this trade were quite skilled and likely held esteemed positions in the medieval community. This is likely why it became an ancestral name and remained prevalent in the area long after the profession has died out. Thus, the name Dörrschmidt is a reminder of the long history of craftsmanship and skill in the medieval period, as well as a recognition of those who held this line of work.
Order DNA origin analysisDörrschmidt: Where does the name Dörrschmidt come from?
The last name Dörrschmidt is a German name derived from the word ‘Dörr’ which means ‘Door’ and ‘Schmidt’, a common surname meaning ‘Smith’ or ‘Craftsman’. It is most popular today in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, Dörrschmidt is one of the 50 most common surnames. In parts of North and East Germany, it is even more common. It was especially popular in the old Prussian state of Brandenburg, where people with this last name can still be found today.
Dörrschmidt is also common in the USA and Canada, where it is generally spelled Doorrschmidt or Doorschmidt. Many North Americans with this last name can trace their ancestry to German immigrants who settled in North America during the 1800s and 1900s.
It is also somewhat popular in other countries, especially those in Europe, as a result of German emigration during the 19th century. In fact, some instances of the surname can be found in Brazil, Argentina, and Russia. It is even more rare elsewhere; however, those with the surname can often trace their heritage back to Germany, the original source of the name.
Variations of the surname Dörrschmidt
The surname Dörrschmidt is of German origin and is believed to derive from the word ‘Dörr,’ meaning “door,” and the word ‘schmidt,’ meaning “smith.” Thus, Dörrschmidt roughly translates to “door smith.” It is also spelled in various ways, such as Dorrschmidt, Dorrschmitt, Doerrshmidt, and Dohrschmidt. Some variants of this surname include Dörr, Döhr, Döhrs, Döhrss, Dörrs, Doerschmidt, Dürrschmidt, and Dürrschmitt.
The surnames deriving from Dörrschmidt are Doerr, Döhrs, Döhrss, Dörrs, Recently, many have taken on anglicized versions of the surname, such as Dorschmitt, Doerrshmidt, Dorschmidt, Dowrschmidt, and Dereschmidt. It is also found as a combined surname, such as Dorrschmidt-Koch.
Due to the common spelling of Dörrschmidt, it is unclear exactly how old the name is. It is speculated that the name began appearing in Germany during the 16th or 17th centuries. It is believed that the original door smiths only worked in the Rhineland area of Germany and that this surname became popular in the area due to the demand for door smiths there.
The surname has since spread throughout many countries as German immigrants moved away from their homeland, taking it as far as the United States. Today, the surname is very common in the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Famous people with the name Dörrschmidt
- Henri Dörrschmidt: German equestrian equestrian rider and Olympic medalist
- Cathleen Dörrschmidt: German equestrian rider and daughter of Henri Dörrschmidt
- Andreas "Andi" Dörrschmidt: German former professional footballer
- Harry Dörrschmidt: German former professional footballer
- Jonas Dörrschmidt: German field hockey player
- Christian Dörrschmidt: German luger and Olympic medalist
- Max Dörrschmidt: German water polo player
- Maximilian Dörrschmidt: German writer, journalist, and photographer
- Tobias Dörrschmidt: German writer, journalist, and radio presenter
- Franz Dörrschmidt: German politician
- Richard Dörrschmidt: Austrian politician champion hurdler
- Jakob Dörrschmidt: Austrian speed skater and Olympic silver medalist
- Oskar Dörrschmidt: German track and field athlete
- Ferdinand Dörrschmidt: German classical philologist
- Adelheid Dörrschmidt: German actress and writer
- Manfred Dörrschmidt: German actor, comedian, and director
- Begina Dörrschmidt: Austrian actress
- Lothar Dörrschmidt: German cinematographer
- Greta Dörrschmidt: Austrian film editor
- Werner Dörrschmidt: German composer and producer