Surname Schimak - Meaning and Origin
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Schimak: What does the surname Schimak mean?
The last name Schimak is a German surname that is derived from the word “Schimmel”, which is an old German word for “grey”. It is believed that the name is a reference to a grey-haired person. There are several alternate spellings of the name, including Schimmel, Schimmack, Schimmel, Schiml, and Schimmick.
In terms of etymology, Schimak is thought to be a combination of the words “schimm” meaning “grey” and “-ack”, a common German family name ending. This type of surname was commonly found among the German-speaking people of Central and Eastern Europe.
Another possible interpretation is that Schimak could also have been derived from the Polish word “schimy”, which means “shadow”. This theory suggests that the surname was originally intended to reference a person with a “shadow-like” quality, such as a person who was difficult to understand or elusive.
People with the last name Schimak are likely to have had ancestors who lived in Germany or Poland. Today, many descendants of immigrants from these countries are settled throughout North America, South America, and Europe.
Overall, the meaning of the last name Schimak is uncertain, but it is believed to refer to something grey or a person with a “shadow-like” quality. As with many other surnames, the true origin of the name is likely to never be known.
Order DNA origin analysisSchimak: Where does the name Schimak come from?
The last name Schimak is of German origin and is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It is also relatively common in parts of Eastern Europe such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Hungary, as well as in some parts of the United States, including Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
The surname Schimak is derived from the Old German word “schimme” which can refer to someone who is venerable or respected and may have originally been a term of endearment given to prominent members of the community. It was adopted as a surname and eventually spread from its place of origin across much of Europe.
The Schimak last name is still well-known and common in Germany and Austria today. In the United States the name is less common with only 85 people with the last name Schimak being recorded in the 2000 US Census.
Though the surname is much less common today than in the past, it is still found in many parts of the world and has remained a significant part of many families’ heritage for centuries.
Variations of the surname Schimak
The surname Schimak has a variety of spellings and surnames with similar origins. The most common variation of this name is Schimaak, Schimack, Schimmack, Schimake, and Schimak.
The Schimak surname originated in Germany and was derived from the German-language term "Schimmeck," which can mean shield, crown, or "God's protection." In some cases, the surname might also be an alteration of the German phrase "schmelz dem ack," which translates to "melt the plow."
The Schimak surname is also found in different countries around the world, including Austria, Hungary, the United States, Canada, Australia, and more. Variations of the Schimak surname can be found in Austria as Schimac, Schimmack, Schimmac, or Schimacke. In Hungary, it is spelled Szimacz, Szimack, Szimmacz, or Szimik. The United States and Canada are spelled Schimak, Schimack, Schimmack, Schimake, and Schwemack.
In Australia, the most common variation of the surname is Schimak, and it is spelled differently in many parts of the country. In Victoria, it may be spelled Schimack, Schimmack, Szymack, or Schimmak. In New South Wales, it is usually spelled Schimack, while in Queensland it may be spelled Schimack, Schymick, Szymick, or Szymak.
There is also the Kishimak, which is an Americanized version of the Schimak surname. This version is common amongst immigrants from Europe who changed their surnames when they arrived in North America.
Overall, the Schimak surname has many variations not only in spelling but also in meaning. As such, it is important to research the origin of the name to make sure you are referring to the correct spelling and understanding the meaning behind it.
Famous people with the name Schimak
- Günther Schimak, German weightlifter
- Bernd Schimak, German football player
- Astrid Schimak, Austrian opera singer
- Sonja Schimak, Austrian figure skater
- Bill Schimak, American Internet radio personality
- Manfred Schimak, Austrian soccer player
- Bernie Schimak, American serial entrepreneur
- Henry Schimak, American contractor
- Mike Schimak, American college basketball player
- Eva Schimak, Austrian author