Surname Schalmey - Meaning and Origin
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Schalmey: What does the surname Schalmey mean?
The last name Schalmey is an old German surname derived from the Middle High German word “schalmeie” which translates to “flute-player”. It is likely that the surname was taken on by someone who played the flute for a profession or hobby, or had a family member that did, and eventually became a surname of multiple generations. Historically, the name would have been pronounced “shal-may”, although it can be found in variations such as “shall-me” or “shahl-meh”.
Schalmeys can be found in many regions, particularly in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse in Germany, as well as in parts of France, Switzerland, and Austria. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the name was more commonly found in Alsace, an area in the borders between Germany and France. It is also likely that the name was adopted by some of those who immigrated to the US in the past few centuries.
Today, Schalmey is a relatively uncommon name, but it has certainly left an impact on those who carry it. It is a testament to the legacy of rather talented musicians that played the flute, as well as those of their descendants who continued to live their lives with a unique identity and proudly share their family name with the world.
Order DNA origin analysisSchalmey: Where does the name Schalmey come from?
Schalmey is a surname originating from parts of the former Holy Roman Empire, which includes modern-day Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. It is most commonly found in the countries of Austria and Germany, where it is a variant of the German name Scholz. The name is also found in smaller numbers throughout much of central and Eastern Europe, including Switzerland, Luxembourg, The Czech Republic and Poland. It is estimated that nearly 10,000 people bear this surname throughout Europe.
Studies have revealed that a notable presence of the Schalmey surname can be found in the Upper Austrian town of Henndorf am Wallersee, where it is the fifth most common surname. This region of Upper Austria was once referred to as Niederösterrich, which was comprised of the districts of Urfahr, Steyr, Krappfeld, and Kirchdorf.
In the United States, Schalmey is most commonly found in the states that were part of the Vandalia Project, or German Settlement Region, which roughly correspond with the states of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. The Schalmey surname can also be found in larger numbers in the states of California, Wisconsin, and New York. It is estimated that there are over 6,500 people residing in the United States with the Schalmey surname today.
Overall, Schalmey is a fairly uncommon surname, but it has a rich history in parts of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, as well as in some regions of the United States.
Variations of the surname Schalmey
Schalmey is a German surname derived from the Middle High German surname “Schalmeien”, which translates to “one who plays the shawm” (a type of medieval musical instrument). The variants of this surname include Schallmey, Schallmeien, Schalmeien, Schalmey, Schalmi, Schallmi, Schallmeie, Shalmi, Shalmey, and Shalmeien. There may also be regional variations of the surname, such as Schormby from northern Germany or Shalmay from Austria.
The surname is not commonly found outside of Germany, though it may take other forms in different countries. Examples of surnames with common origins include Sholmay in Russia, Scholmes in Holland, and Salmi in Finland.
Schalmey may be a Byzantine Christian name as well, ultimately derived from the Russian name Anton, which is the Greek form of “Antonios.” This variation is also often found in Greek, Romanian, and Bulgarian regions.
The surname is often seen spelled Schalmey, and may sometimes be spelled without the “y.” Schalmey can also be found spelled without the “e” at the end, such as Schalm, Shalmi, or Shalme. The double “l” in the middle may also be replaced by a single “l” or vice versa.
Variations of Schalmey can be found outside of Europe, as well. In the United States, the generally accepted spelling is Shalmy, while in Canada the spelling Scholmey is more common. In the United Kingdom the surname is generally spelled Scholme.
Regardless of the spelling, the surname holds the same origin of ‘one who plays the shawm’ and should be seen as an indicator of a common history.
Famous people with the name Schalmey
- Rainer Schalmey: German actor
- Franciscus Schalmey: Flemish composer
- Kees Schalmey: Dutch-born artist living in Melbourne, Australia
- Egon Schalmey: German-born, internationally renowned cellist
- Klaus Schalmey: Swiss skier and Olympic alpine ski racer
- Ernst Schalmey: German poet, essayist, and critic
- Alan Schalmey: Australian-born actor and comedian
- Klaus Schalmey: German architectural photographer
- Will Schalmey: American comic book writer and artist
- Mark Schalmey: American cinematographer