Surname Abtmaier - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'A'
Abtmaier: What does the surname Abtmaier mean?
The last name Abtmaier is an occupational name, derived from the Middle High German abet, meaning abbot or abbess. It was primarily used for those who held a position as an abbot or abbess in a monastery or convent, or as the leader of an independent monastic community. It comes from the Old German abba for 'father' and maior or major, a title given to higher-ranking clergy that would later become translated as 'abbot'.
The surname Abtmaier is found predominantly in Europe, spread across Germany, Austria, Poland and Switzerland. It is thought that the surname originated near the Rhine valley, as has been the case with many German surnames. As with other surnames, there are many spellings of Abtmaier, such as Abtmayr, Abtmair and Abtmeyer.
Over time, many bearers of the name changed their surname to fit in with the local language and customs of the area in which they resided. This explains why there are so many variations of the name Abtmaier throughout Europe.
Historically, the name Abtmaier has always been associated with religious leadership, and still today those who bear the name are likely to be religiously affiliated. Those named Abtmaier may commemorate this religious association in their everyday life in subtle ways, such as providing service to their local church or participating in regular religious activities.
Order DNA origin analysisAbtmaier: Where does the name Abtmaier come from?
The last name Abtmaier is most common in Germany today, but it can also be found in other countries throughout Europe. Records from a variety of sources show that a few hundred bearers of the name Abtmaier have immigrated to countries such as Austria, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Substantial populations of the Abtmaier family can also be found in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
In Germany, the name is mostly concentrated in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. In the 1600s, the name was mostly concentrated in two regions—the Bavarian spa town Bad Reichenhall and in nearby Berchtesgaden. Many of the surname’s bearers have kept close to their home region, although some have moved further afield.
Abtmaier is also a common last name in Austria, Switzerland, and Sweden. In Austria, it is most heavily concentrated in the city of Vienna, while in Switzerland, there are several dozen Abtmaier families scattered mostly throughout the Swiss cantons of Basel-Stadt and Zurich. In Sweden, Abtmaier seems to be most common in Uppsala, Gävleborg, and Örebro.
No matter where Abtmaier is found in the world, it’s likely that all branches of the family share a common ancestor. Research into the etymology of the surname Abtmaier suggests that it derives from an Old High German term meaning ‘season or steward of a monastery’. This would indicate that the family’s earliest ancestors were likely stewards of a monastery in Bavaria.
Variations of the surname Abtmaier
The surname Abtmaier is thought to have originated in Germany. It is most commonly spelled Abtmaier, but there are several other variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Abtmeyer, Abtmeijer, Abtsmeyer, and Abtsmeier are other spellings for the same surname. Abtmaier is sometimes spelled Abtkammer, Abtemeyer, Abtemeijer, Abtsmayer, and Abtsmeyer as well.
The surnames may have evolved to Abtsauer, Apfelbaum, Apfelmaier, Appelman, Appelmayer, Appels, Babtmaier, Backmeister, Ebertmaier, Ebtmaier, Eptmaier, and Fausbaum over time.
The surname Abtmaier was used as a name for those who worked at an abbey or monastery. It comes from the German words “Abt” meaning abbot, or holder of a high religious office, and “Maier,” which means bailiff or administrator.
In Lower Saxony, Germany, the surname developed and became Abtmeyer, Abtmeijer, Abtsmeyer, and Abtsmeier. These variants may have been derived from Dutch sources of similar spellings.
In many of the German regions of Sewerein, Wurttemberg, and Baden-Wurttemberg, the surname eventually developed into the German spelling of Abtmaier.
Depending on the specific area of origin, the spellings of Abtmaier could vary even further. For example, in Austria the spelling could be Abtmayr, or in Hungary it may be spelled Abtmejer, Abtmayer, or Abtsmayer.
In some cases, the surname may have been changed to fit the language of the culture in which the family was living. Abtmaier may have been modified to Abtema, Abtum, and Abtue in French-speaking areas, or to Abtomi, Boutomio, and Bodomi in Italian-speaking regions.
Regardless of the locality or ethnicity, all variants of the surname Abtmaier ultimately have the same origin.
Famous people with the name Abtmaier
- Katja Abtmaier: Austrian tennis player
- Martha Abtmaier: German triathlete
- Patrizio Abtmaier: Italian actor
- Sigrid Abtmaier: Austrian art historian and curator
- David Abtmaier: Australian Soccer Team Captain
- Janina Abtmaier: German actress
- Marko Abtmaier: Austrian ice hockey player
- Albertina Abtmaier: Austrian opera singer
- Meinrad Abtmaier: Swiss bishop
- Daniel Abtmaier: Austrian chess master