Find out how popular the last name Schmeichel is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Schmeichel.

Schmeichel, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Schmeichel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Schmeichel in America

Schmeichel is the 43438th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Schmeichel surname appeared 497 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Schmeichel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Schmeichel to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Schmeichel

The surname "SCHMEICHEL" is of German origin, with its roots tracing back to the late medieval period. The name is believed to have originated in the regions of Saxony and Bavaria, where it was initially spelled as "Schmeichler" or "Schmeicheler."

One of the earliest recorded instances of this surname can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae, a collection of historical documents from Saxony, dating back to the 13th century. The name is thought to have derived from the Middle High German word "smeichen," which meant "to flatter" or "to cajole."

In the 15th century, a notable individual bearing this surname was Hans Schmeichel, a renowned master craftsman from Nuremberg, who was renowned for his intricate woodcarvings. His works adorned several churches and cathedrals throughout southern Germany.

During the 16th century, the name appears to have spread to other parts of Europe, including the Netherlands and Denmark. In the Dutch city of Leiden, records from 1572 mention a certain Pieter Schmeichel, a merchant and burgher of the city.

In the 17th century, a family of Schmeichels settled in the Danish town of Ribe, where they became prominent landowners and traders. One notable member of this family was Jens Schmeichel (1632-1701), a wealthy merchant and philanthropist who funded the construction of several public buildings in the town.

As the centuries passed, the name underwent various spelling variations, such as "Schmeikel," "Schmeichel," and "Schmeichler." In the 19th century, a notable bearer of this surname was the German author and poet, August Schmeichel (1819-1891), whose works explored themes of nature and romanticism.

Another prominent figure with this surname was the Danish footballer, Peter Schmeichel (born 1963), who achieved international fame as the goalkeeper for Manchester United and the Danish national team. His exceptional goalkeeping skills and commanding presence on the field earned him widespread recognition and numerous accolades throughout his career.

Overall, the surname "SCHMEICHEL" has a rich history, with its origins deeply rooted in the German-speaking regions of Europe. Over the centuries, it has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including craftsmen, merchants, authors, and renowned athletes, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural tapestry of multiple nations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Schmeichel

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Schmeichel.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Schmeichel was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Schmeichel has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Schmeichel was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Schmeichel, please contact us.

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