The name of Schmidt in all its various spellings (Schmid, Schmidt, Schmitt, Schmitz, etc.) goes back to the job title of the blacksmith. At the beginning of mechanization were large forge usually near rivers, because the hammers were operated by water power. An accumulation of this name in the vicinity of large rivers is therefore detectable. As was also needed in every village, a blacksmith (farrier, blacksmith, etc.), this name is now practically everywhere.
(Sent from: Jörg Schmidt, Mörfelden-Walldorf)
