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Swedish noble family of German origin. Possibly originating from Westphalia. Living in Stade, Germany, in the late 15th century. Merchant Thomas tor Smede (died 1553) established the family as succesful businessmen in Flensburg for three generations during the 16th century. One of his great grandsons, Herman tor Smede (c. 1610-1667) moved to Sweden in the early 17th century and started working in the brass and iron industry. His son Reinhold Tersmeden (as the name was changed in Sweden) and other decendants became the owners of several ironworks during the 17th, 18th and 19th century. Reinhold's son Jacob Tersmeden (1683-1752) was ennobled in 1751. A branch of the family were made barons in 1809 but that branch is now extinnct.