Surname Federschmied - Meaning and Origin

Federschmied: What does the surname Federschmied mean?

The last name Federschmied is derived from the German words 'feder' and 'schmied', meaning "feathered smith". It is believed to have originally been an occupational name for someone who worked with feathers in creating various items, such as clothes or arrows. The feather smith was a prominent figure in early Germanic societies as feather- prepped arrows were used in warfare and hunting.

Federschmied is one of many variations of the original name, and has been used in several cultures. In Britain, the name was commonly referred to as Feathersmith and in France, it was changed to 'Fourchier'. It is estimated that the name originated in medieval Germany, where many of the feathers used in the crafting of items would have otherwise come from peacocks and other rare bird feathers that were smuggled from countries surrounding the Mediterranean.

The presence of the name has spread and now is found in places around Europe, the United States, and even Australia. While the derivation of the name may differ between different cultures and languages, the concept of a feather smith remains distinct. The last name can provide a historical connection to ancestors in a tangible way, tracing back the origin of their families origins in a unique manner.

Federschmied: Where does the name Federschmied come from?

The last name Federschmied is most commonly found today in countries of Western and Central Europe, such as Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg. It is also found in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States.

The earliest records of the Federschmied surname date back to pre-1400 Germany, where it was used by a family of blacksmiths. Having emerged from Bavaria, the name spread to other parts of Germany as well as other nearby countries.

The Federschmieds were a family of smiths by trade, and their name translates literally to mean “metal smith” or “armorer”. This suggests that the family specialized in the creation of weapons and armor, which was likely an important skill during the medieval era.

Today, the Federschmieds are no longer master armorers. Instead, their descendants include academics, business owners, and professionals from a variety of backgrounds. Despite the vast changes in the family’s circumstances, many members have proudly maintained the Federschmied name, ensuring that it will live on for centuries to come.

Variations of the surname Federschmied

Federschmied is a German surname that has spread to other countries and languages. It is derived from the German words “federn” (feathers) and “schmied” (smith). It is most commonly found in German-speaking countries, but can also be found in other countries whose citizens have emigrated from these areas.

The origin of the name dates back to medieval Germany as a profession name for a blacksmith who used to specialize in making springs and similar mechanisms from feathers. Over the centuries the surname spread to other countries, often dropping the German spelling and taking on new language-appropriate variants.

Common variants of Federschmied in other countries include:

- Austria/Switzerland: Federschmid

- Netherlands: Dorschsmith

- Poland: Fiydermeyer

- Hungary: Federszmidt

- United States: Federsmith or Feathersmith

- Canada: Feathersmyth

Variations of the surname may also occur due to mistakes in spelling fileds by clerks or immigration officers. Some of these variants include Feutermeser, Feidtmeser, Feitremeser, Faidtmeser, Federman, Federer, and Fiedersmeyer.

No matter the spelling, each variant of the name originates from the same source and, although they may have changed through time, they all share the same meaning. All variants of this surname share a common origin in an old profession and together help share the history and stories of those who have had the honor of bearing the Federschmied name throughout time.

Famous people with the name Federschmied

• André Federschmied: André Federschmied is a Swiss ski jumper who competed in the 1984 and 1988 Winter Olympics.
• August Federschmied: August Federschmied was an Austrian cinematographer, editor, director and writer. He was the cinematographer for the 1944 film Vienna Blood.
• Édouard Federschmied: Édouard Federschmied was a Swiss painter who was active in the late 19th century.
• Evelyn Federschmied: Evelyn Federschmied was a Swiss pianist and composer who was active in the early 20th century.
• Gustave Federschmied: Gustave Federschmied was a Swiss entrepreneur who opened the first plant in Switzerland for the production of rubber in 1937.
• Johannes Federschmied: Johannes Federschmied was a German painter and inlay artist from the late 17th century to the early 18th century.
• Léon Federschmied: Léon Federschmied was a Swiss illustration artist, cartoonist, caricaturist and sculptor.
• Luc Federschmied: Luc Federschmied was a Swiss two-time Olympic medalist in rowing, winning a silver in 1984 and a bronze in 1988.
• Mark Federschmied: Mark Federschmied is an Austrian trail photographer who has won several international awards.
• Yves Federschmied: Yves Federschmied is a Swiss landscape photographer who has been active since the late 1980s.

Other surnames

FederschmidFederschmidt