Surname Altmeier - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'A'
Altmeier: What does the surname Altmeier mean?
The last name Altmeier is of German origin. The name is derived from the German terms “Alt” and “Meier,” which collectively mean “old master.” The surname is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
The Altmeier name first appeared in the early 20th century, and it is believed to have been an occupational name. It was used to describe a master craftsman or shopkeeper, or anyone who held a position of authority or leadership.
The Altmeier name is certainly not a common one, nor is it particularly long-standing. Nevertheless, those who bear the name in the present day can take pride in their Germanic ancestry. By reclaiming their historical heritage, they can honor their forefathers and their craftsmanship even in today’s modern times.
Altmeiers may also find comfort in knowing that this surname has given their family a unique sense of identity and community. Much like a proud family crest or insignia, the Altmeier surname unites them into a single unit, regardless of where their ancestors originated. From Vienna to Berlin, and beyond, the Altmeier name carries a special resonance among the people and places it touches.
Order DNA origin analysisAltmeier: Where does the name Altmeier come from?
The Altmeier surname can be found primarily in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the United States today. It is a relatively common name, primarily found in German-speaking areas of central Europe where it is derived from the German word 'Alt' meaning 'old' and the patronymic suffix 'meier'.
In Germany, the surname is most commonly found in the east, especially in states such as Saxony, Brandenburg, Bavaria and Thuringia, as well as in other central European countries like Switzerland and Austria. In Germany, Altmeier is the 417th most common surname.
In the United States, the surname Altmeier is most commonly found in Pennsylvania which is explained by a wave of German immigration to that state in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the US, the surname is the 5,580th most common name overall. It is most commonly found in Pennsylvania as well as states such as Wisconsin, New York, Ohio, Illinois, and California.
Altmeier is not a particularly rare name but it may be difficult to find people carrying the surname outside predominately German-speaking areas. Searching online or in public records may be helpful in cases where more specific information is needed.
Variations of the surname Altmeier
The surname Altmeier is of German origin and is derived from the words 'alt' which means 'old' and 'meier' which is a name often given to a farmer or a steward in charge of a large estate.
Some of the most common variants of this surname include Alt mayer, Alt meir, Alt meyers, Altmayer, Altmyer, and Altmeyer. Amongst them, the Altmeyer variant is the most common one. This surname can also be found spelled as Allmeyer at times.
The surnames Altymeir, Althermyer, Aleltmeier, Aldmeyer, and Oltmaier are some of the rarer variants of Altmeier. In some cases, the spelling of the surname can be distorted further due to phonetic shifts and the inaccuracy of records while they were being transcribed.
Apart from the variants listed above, this surname can also be found spelled as Altmeyer-Fleicher, Altmyer-Meinhard, Altmaier-Schubert, and Altmeiyer-Kessler.
Altmaier is another spelling which is a name that originates in the Netherlands. It is an occupational surname for a religious official and derived from the Old Dutch Alhoemar, which refers to an ale-hoarder.
Despite all the variants, all spellings of the Altmeier surname can be traced back to common German roots. Over time, as individuals moved to other countries in search of new opportunities, the surname has spread across various regions of the world.
Famous people with the name Altmeier
- Jochen Altmeier: Actor, known for his roles in the films GERMANY IN AUTUMN (1978), KIRSCHBLÜTEN-HANAMI (2008) and THE WHITE RIBBON (2009).
- Jürgen Altmeier: German former football goalkeeper who played for several clubs and was most famous for his time with Borussia Mönchengladbach.
- Robert Altmeier: Bassist and composer in the German alternative rock band Revolverheld, known for the songs ‘Spinner’ and ‘Ich Lass Für Dich Das Licht An’.
- Arnold Altmeier: Archaeologist and former professor at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
- Christoph Altmeier: Footballer who played most of his career for SSV Jahn Regensburg from 1999 until 2011.
- Ulrich Altmeier: German pair skater and six-time national champion. He competed at the 1994 Winter Olympics.
- Klaus Altmeier: Former member of the German band Russkaja and accompanist to the English singer Bryan Ferry.
- Christian Altmeier: Member of the German rock band ‘Welle:Erdball’ and co-writer of their most famous songs.
- Hans Altmeier: Politician, was a Bundestag Representative from 1953 to 1957.