Explore the Family Name Schmeck

The meaning of Schmeck

1. German: nickname for a gourmet, from Middle High German smecken ‘to taste, indulge’. 2. Germanized form of Sorbian Smějk: nickname from Lower Sorbian smějk ‘laugher’. Some characteristic forenames: German Kurt.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.

How common is the last name Schmeck in the United States?

Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname 'Schmeck' experienced a decrease in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it ranked 55,237 in terms of popularity but dropped significantly to 68,949 in 2010—a change of -24.82%. Similarly, the count of individuals with the 'Schmeck' surname also decreased from 348 in 2000 to 285 in 2010, marking an 18.1% decline. The proportion of people with this surname per 100,000 also fell by 23.08% during this period.

20002010Change
Rank#55,237#68,949-24.82%
Count348285-18.1%
Proportion per 100k0.130.1-23.08%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Schmeck

In terms of ethnic identity, data from the Decennial U.S. Census shows that most bearers of the 'Schmeck' surname identify as white. In 2000, 94.25% identified as white, falling slightly to 91.58% in 2010. There was no record of individuals with this surname identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander or Black in either year. Interestingly, there are new records of Hispanic and American Indian and Alaskan Native identities associated with this surname in 2010, standing at 2.81% and 1.75% respectively. The percentage of individuals identifying with two or more races decreased from 2.3% in 2000 to 1.75% in 2010.

20002010Change
White94.25%91.58%-2.83%
Hispanic0%2.81%0%
Two or More Races2.3%1.75%-23.91%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%1.75%0%
Asian/Pacific Islander0%0%0%
Black0%0%0%