Surname Ablaßmeier - Meaning and Origin

Ablaßmeier: What does the surname Ablaßmeier mean?

The last name Ablaßmeier is of German origin and is believed to have first arose in Silesia, a historical region of Central Europe. The surname was most likely derived from the words “ablass” or “ablassen,” which translates to “let out or relieve.” Thus, Ablaßmeier may have once been the occupational name for someone who specialized in the process of draining and releasing water, such as an irrigation or drainage system maintenance worker.

Over time, the spelling of the name underwent several phonetic shifts and linguistic changes, eventually leading to its current version found across Germany. The name is also widespread in other parts of Europe, particularly Poland and Switzerland, although it is particularly popular in areas of southern Germany.

Today, Ablaßmeier is still a relatively common surname in Germany, indicating a long family history as well as successful adaptability to changing times. As it is an occupational name, many members of the Ablaßmeier family may still be involved with drainage and irrigation occupations, while many may have branched out to other fields.

Ablaßmeier: Where does the name Ablaßmeier come from?

The last name Ablaßmeier is most commonly found in Germany and other German-speaking areas, particularly in the Rhineland and western Ruhr city regions. The name is derived from Old German and means "Meadow dweller," signifying that the original bearer of this surname likely hailed from an area with plentiful fields or meadows. It is believed to have first occurred as a toponymic surname, given to individuals who originally lived near a particular meadow.

The Ablaßmeier surname still has its strongest presence in Germany, according to Ancestry's 2020 ranking of most common surnames in Germany. According to the data, an estimated 14,392 individuals in Germany currently bear the name Ablaßmeier. There are also some individuals with this surname living in other countries. For example, World Namess reports that there are 16 Ablaßmeiers living in the United States, and 2 living in Canada.

The Ablaßmeier surname can also be found in online genealogical databases, such as Ancestry, allowing people to discover more about their family history and trace their ancestors.

Variations of the surname Ablaßmeier

Ablaßmeier is a German surname believed to have originated in the Bavarian region of Germany. The main variants of the surname are: Abgrundmeier, Aplassmeier, Applaßmeier, Ablaßmaier, Ablassmaier, Aplasmeier, Applassmeier, Ablasmeir, Aplassemeier and Applasmeir. The surnames may also be spelled differently, such as Aplasmeir, Abgrunmaier, Apelassmeier and Ablaßmayer.

The root of the surname Ablaßmeier is thought to come from the German phrase “Ablass” which meant remission or pardon. It is likely that the original bearer of the surname held a profession in which he was responsible for granting pardon to those deserving it, such as a priest or a judicial official.

The surnames of the same origin often occur with prefixes or suffixes that denote a particular form or pronunciation, such as Applaßmeier (APP-lahss-MAY-er), Aplassemeier (Ah-plass-MAY-er), and Ablasmeir (uh-BLAHS-meer).

Some variants of the surname are thought to have been derived from the old German word Apfelschmalz or “apple butter”. In this case, the suffix “–meier” was added to denote a family that made or sold the spread.

Because the surname is so widely spread in Germany, it is also likely that variants of the name have developed in other countries, such as Austria, Luxembourg and Switzerland.

In the United States, the surname may have taken on a slightly different spelling due to different pronunciation habits, but the basic root of the name remains the same. Names such as Ablazmyer, Aplacsmyer and Applazmeir are all derived from the same origin.

Overall, the surname Ablaßmeier has many different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is clear that this name has a long and varied history, with many branches originating from the same root.

Famous people with the name Ablaßmeier

• Dennis Ablaßmeier: German footballer who currently plays for the club SpVgg Greuther Fürth in the 2. Bundesliga.
• Ronnie Ablaßmeier: German professional snowboarder and two-time Olympian.
• Wolfgang Ablaßmeier: German jurist and professor of civil and commercial law at the Free University of Berlin.
• Guido Ablaßmeier: German film and television director.
• Lena Ablaßmeier: German actress and presenter who is best known for her appearances in the RTL II television series "Köln 50667".
• Hans Ablaßmeier: German physician and orthopedic surgeon who served as Chief Surgeon of the German armed forces during World War II.
• Michael Ablaßmeier: German international goalkeeping coach for the German national football team.
• Amelie Ablaßmeier: German pop singer and Instagram influencer who has won several singing competitions and is known for her sun kissed pictures on social media.
• Hilde Ablaßmeier: German art curator who has worked extensively with the German Ministry of Culture.
• Lieselotte Ablaßmeier: German philosopher and scholar of ancient Greek philosophy, particularly that of Plato and Aristotle.

Other surnames

Ablaßmeir