Surname Schimank - Meaning and Origin
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Schimank: What does the surname Schimank mean?
The surname Schimank is of German origin and is derived from the Old German given name Schiman. 'Schim' was a popular name in medieval times and those bearing the Schimank surname can be traced back to regions of Middle Germany prior to the 15th century.
The modern spelling of 'Schimank' was likely adopted soon after the 16th century Protestant Reformation as language and spelling began to regularize. Its evolution can be traced to various forms, including the original Schiman with its varied spellings, such as Schimann, Schimoni and Schiming, and the later Schimank, with its variants Schimancke, Schimannen, and Schimanken.
Those bearing the Schimank surname may have been of royal or noble descent, or, in some cases, may have been of peasant origin, as the evolution of the Schimank name is likely to have taken place throughout various social levels.
The Schimank name is primarily associated with Germany, but it is believed to have had a global reach. Its prevalence in the wider European regions may have been due to a variety of migration waves which likely took place over several centuries, like those seen within Germany and between Germany and its neighbouring countries.
The Schimank surname is joined by many others of similar or related origins, such as Schimmel, Schimacht, Schimper, and Schimscheiner. In recent years, many bearers of the Schimank name have opted to shortened versions - namely Shimank and Schim.
Order DNA origin analysisSchimank: Where does the name Schimank come from?
The last name Schimank (also spelled Schimhank, Schimanko, Shymhank, Schimhanko and others) is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and surrounding European countries, as well as several U.S. states.
In Germany, the name is primarily found in the areas of Saxony, Baden-Württemburg and Lower Saxony. It is also thought to have origins in Austria and certain parts of the Czech Republic. In the United States, the largest concentration of Schimank families are in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and New York.
A few other countries are also known to bear the Schimank surname, including Poland, Canada, South Africa, Hungary, and Croatia.
Interestingly, the Schimank name has a few documented variations that over time cross multiple generations and nations. This could be partly because of the tradition of family emigration in search of better opportunities.
The earliest records of the Schimank name date back to the nineteenth century when the name originated in the small regions of Europe where it is still mainly concentrated today.
Variations of the surname Schimank
The surname Schimank has many variations, spellings, and surnames of its origin. It has been spelled Schimank, Schimmank, Schymank, Shimank, Shimmank, Shymansky, Shohnick, and Symancek.
The Schimank surname is of German origin. It is derived from the word “schimmen” which means "to talk." The surname was most likely occupational, meaning people with this surname were probably chatty or good storytellers. This language and culture were likely passed down through generations which is why the surname appears in a variety of spellings.
The Schimank variant can be found throughout the United States, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia, among other locations. In the US, the name is predominately found in Pennsylvania, where the earliest known Schimank family, Johannes Schimank, is recorded in the late 1700s.
In countries like Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic, the Schimank spelling has remained largely unchanged, although some spellings have evolved over the centuries. For example, Schimank can be found as “Schymank” or “Schimmank” in Germany. In Poland, the spelling is often “Shymansky” and in the Czech Republic, the spelling is often “Shohnick.” In Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia, the surname is often spelled “Symancek.”
Overall, the many variants, spellings, and surnames of Schimank are evidence of the changes in language and cultural traditions that have been passed down through generations.
Famous people with the name Schimank
- Dr. Klaus Schimank: German political scientist and author
- Rainer Schimank: German philosopher and sociologist
- Robert Schimank: German businessman
- Dr. Marlies Schimank: German food scientist and author
- Helge Schimank: German musician and composer
- Dr. Hans-Joachim Schimank: German sociologist and political scientist
- Rebecca Schimank: American engineer and author
- Nigel Schimank: American business executive
- Corinne Schimank: French actress
- Marcus Schimank: German journalist and author