Surname Abtmeyer - Meaning and Origin
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Abtmeyer: What does the surname Abtmeyer mean?
The last name Abtmeyer refers to someone who originally had connections to the Amt (or administrative district) of Meyer. ‘Abt’ is an old German word meaning administrative district director or mayor, while ‘Meyer’ refers to an individual of a particular trade. Therefore, the name Abtmeyer suggests that at some point in time, there was an ancestor of this family who was the mayor of a neighborhood, village, or small town somewhere in Germany.
The surname Abtmeyer is most commonly found in northern Germany and was first mentioned during the late Middle Ages. It was widely spread throughout the country and used by individuals from various social classes — from farmers to tenants and merchants. Over time, some of these families relocated to other parts of Europe, and the name was also found in other countries, such as the United States and Canada.
Today, the surname Abtmeyer is still found in many countries, although its usage has diminished somewhat in Germany. It retains a unique cultural and historical significance, as it has been a part of families for centuries. The Abtmeyer family is one of many that have preserved their heritage and kept a strong connection to the country of their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisAbtmeyer: Where does the name Abtmeyer come from?
The last name Abtmeyer is most commonly found in parts of Germany and Northern Europe. In Germany it is concentrated mainly in the region of Westphalia. Abtmeyer is also found in other German states, such as Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Brandenburg, as well as the Netherlands and Switzerland. According to the Genealogical Society of Utah, this surname has some presence in the United States as well, mainly in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ohio.
Abtmeyer was originally a patronymic last name, which meant 'Son of Abt'. Abt was an old German name given to someone with the occupation or status of 'abbot'. This job title referred to someone of authority in a monastery or convent, usually derived from the Latin "Abbas," or "Abbate."
Today the surname Abtmeyer is still carried by many families across Germany, as well as those with German heritage found in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Abtmeyer
The surname Abtmeyer has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include: Abeheimer, Aptmeyer, Abtheimer, Abtemer, Abeimer, Abmeyer, Apethimer, Aptheime, Ebtheimer, Ebtmayer, Epthimmers, Ebteimer, Obtemeier, Abteymayr and Abtmeir.
This surname originated in Germany and is a combination of two medieval German words: “abt” which means “abbot”, and “meyer” which means “farmer”. Pronounced “abt-my-er”, this surname was probably given to an ancestor who worked as an abbot or monk on a farm.
Variations of the Abtmeyer surname in early records often incorporated the spelling of the time, and the use of different letter forms. Thus, the surname Abtmeyer may appear in records as Abeheimer, Aptmeyer, Abtheimer, or one of its variations.
The popularity of this family name varied by region, and its variants have remained quite stable, meaning that its distribution and usage remain largely the same today. Throughout Europe, this surname is commonly found throughout Germany, specifically in the Rhineland. In the United States, this surname is concentrated in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois.
Today, the people bearing this surname may still be employed as farmers, priests or monks, or as members of a variety of professions. The variant Abeheimer is found in Ashkenazi Jewish populations, while the variant Apethimer is particularly common amongst Sephardic Jewish populations of Germany.
No matter where it is found today, the surname Abtmeyer reflects the ancestry of an individual whose ancestor likely had farming and spiritual pursuits in their past.
Famous people with the name Abtmeyer
- Paul Abtmeyer: Paul Abtmeyer is a German film and TV actor, previously appearing in shows such as SOKO Leipzig, Krabat, and In der Glut des Südens.
- Markus Abtmeyer: Markus Abtmeyer is a German football manager and former player. He is the Sporting Director for the U19 Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim.
- Robert Abtmeyer: Robert Abtmeyer is a former professional tennis player from Germany. He reached a career high ATP singles ranking of 320th in the world.
- Max Abtmeyer: Max Abtmeyer is a former German football player, best known for his time with FC Mainz 05 in the 1980s.
- Willi Abtmeyer: Willi Abtmeyer was a German professional tennis player in the 1950s and 1960s. He was the older brother of Robert Abtmeyer.
- Archibald Abtmeyer: Archibald Abtmeyer was an American painter active during the early twentieth century. He worked largely in the Wisconsin region and also did portraits.
- Anna Abtmeyer: Anna Abtmeyer is a German stage, television and film actress. She starred in the German film Love in Thoughts and the television shows Doctor's Diairies and Verbotene Liebe.
- Herrmann Abtmeyer: Herrmann Abtmeyer was a German sculptor, painter and graphic artist from the 1800s. He primarily focused on portrait busts, and his work is discussed in the catalogue raisonné of the Academy of Arts in Berlin.