Surname Goldschmitz - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Goldschmitz: What does the surname Goldschmitz mean?
The last name Goldschmitz is of German origin and is derived from the German word ‘Goldschmidt’. It is a occupational surname meaning ‘goldsmith’ which was originally given to a worker in gold or silversmith. The name was also sometimes used to describe someone who worked in a treasury or mint, making coins.
The surname Goldschmitz is a combination of two elements; gold (“Goldschmidt”) and smith (“schmidt”). The element “gold” derived from Germanic and Old High German “golta” which signified “yellow-red”. The second element “schmidt” derived from the Old High German word “smid” which meant “metalworker”. Altogether, the name Goldschmitz means “metalworker in gold”.
In medieval times it was quite a common name due to the skill having high value during that time. During the time of the migration period in Germany, many people carrying the Goldschmitz surname settled in other countries including England, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Today Goldschmitz is still a common surname. Variations of the name have been recorded including Goldsmith and Schmitz. It is a loyal surname and has remained in the same family line for centuries, making it a popular choice among families wishing to keep a proud family tradition alive.
Order DNA origin analysisGoldschmitz: Where does the name Goldschmitz come from?
The last name Goldschmitz is most common in Germany today. It is a German surname, deriving from the occupation "goldsmith", which was a commonly appearing variant of the name in the Middle Ages. The name was especially frequent in the regions of Prussia, Bohemia, and Saxony, and its popularity eventually spread to other parts of Germany. It continues to be seen in German records today, often in the area around Frankfurt.
In addition to Germany, the Goldschmitz surname is also present in the Dutch-speaking regions of Luxembourg and Belgium. It is important to note, though, that in Belgian records, the spelling is sometimes changed to "Goldschmit" because of the local Belgian influences and dialects spoken in the area.
The surname is also fairly uncommon in the United States, due to fewer German immigrants arriving here after World War II, but there have been some attempts in the United States to trace the Goldschmitz surname to earlier origins in Germany.
Outside of Europe, very few instances of last name Goldschmitz appear in Australian records, as well as some in Canada. It appears that the Goldschmitz surname is still heavily concentrated in its German origins, with only a scattering of appearances around the world.
Variations of the surname Goldschmitz
Goldschmitz is an Ashkenazic Jewish surname, believed to be of German origin. It is most commonly used in Germany, the United States, and Israel.
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the Goldschmitz surname can vary depending on geographic region. In Germany, records show that it is commonly spelled Goldschmidt, while Goldschmid is also a variant. In the United States, it is more commonly known as Goldsmith. During the 19th century, many Jews who immigrated to the United States opted to Anglicize their names and Goldschmitz became Goldsmith.
Other similar spellings of the Goldschmitz surname include Goldschmid, Goldschmied, Goldsmid, Goldschmitt, Goldstein, and Goldstine. Variations of the name such as Goldstone, Goldflyd, and Goldzweig may also be seen.
Culturally, Goldschmitz is often accompanied by the matronymic surname Malka, meaning Queen. Historians have traced back matronymic surnames to the time of the Spanish expulsion in Jewish history, during which many Jews adopted maternal names out of necessity. In the past, when people married and the bride left her family, her surname would be replaced with her mother's maiden name.
In total, Goldschmitz and its various spellings can refer to a wide range of surnames, from Goldsmith to Matronymic Malka.
Famous people with the name Goldschmitz
- Audun Goldschmid, Norwegian jazz musician
- Arturo Goldschmidt, Venezuelan-American pianist
- Grace Goldschmidt, British entrepreneur
- Maurice Goldschmidt, French astronomer and mineralogist
- Siegfried Goldschmidt, German Olympic diver
- Robert Goldschmidt, German-born film producer
- Michael Goldschmidt, British cellular biologist
- Laurent Goldschmidt, French Olympic fencer
- Ursula Goldschmidt, German model
- Henryk Goldschmidt, Polish-American conductor and violinist