Surname Barkmeyer - Meaning and Origin
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Barkmeyer: What does the surname Barkmeyer mean?
The last name Barkmeyer is of German origin, derived from the word “Borkmyer” which translates to mean “bark tree.” It is a relatively rare last name, being found mainly in the states of Indiana and Ohio in the United States. It is believed to have come to America with an immigrant ancestor, likely sometime in the 1800s.
The original root of the last name Barkmeyer is thought to have come from the German region of Baden in the Black Forest area of southern Germany. In German, the word “Borkmeer” means literally “bark tree” or “holm oak" and were likely used to describe the small hamlets found in the area of Baden at the time. The family likely took their name from their village of origin, which was most likely a wooded area with many oak trees.
The Barkmeyer surname is still commonly found in America and some other parts of the world today, however it has tended to be largely localized to those states where the original immigrant ancestor settled. In recent times, most Barkmeyers have been found in the Midwestern U.S. states, along with other states such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Oregon.
Many members of the Barkmeyer family who still carry this name continue to honor their German roots and respect the history of their surname. Today, the Barkmeyer name continues to proudly be passed down from generation to generation.
Order DNA origin analysisBarkmeyer: Where does the name Barkmeyer come from?
The last name Barkmeyer is not particularly common today. It is most commonly found in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, the name is most frequently located in the northwest, particularly in Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, and Lower Saxony. In these parts, the name is mostly concentrated in towns and villages sitting on the Weser and Elbe rivers. It is also found in small numbers in the Netherlands, with the majority of those occurrences in the lower regions of the country. Additionally, a small number of Barkmeyers can be found in the United States, mostly in states with large German-speaking populations such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Texas. Lastly, the name can be found in Canada, mostly in Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec.
The origin of the name Barkmeyer is still rather undetermined. The most prevalent theory is that it derives from the Germanic first name Berahtmund, which means ‘protecting settlement’ and was probably used as a surname referring to one or more individuals who lived there. Another possibility is that it is derived from the Middle High German compounds ‘bärken’ meaning to bark and ‘meyer’ meaning mayor, which would indicate that it was a title held by an important local magistrate who barked out orders to the townspeople.
Variations of the surname Barkmeyer
The surname Barkmeye, also spelled Barkmeyer, and Barkmeijer, is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German words 'barmen' and 'meier'. 'Barmen' means 'brewer' and 'meier' meaning 'mayor' or 'ruler', thus its overall meaning is 'brewer-mayor'. The earliest use of the name can be traced to the 12th century.
Variations of the surname Barkmeyer include Barmayr, Barkmeijer, Barmenier, Barkmeir, Berkmayer, Bermyer, Bormei, Bormeier, Bormeyer, and Bornemann. It is particularly associated with the Rhineland region of Germany.
Surnames of similar origin can be derived from the same root words. These include Barmier, Bormier, Bormer, Borman, Borwicker, Bosma, Borst, Barmeister, Bermeister, Bergmeister, and Barmaster.
In modern times, the surname Barkmeye can be found in many parts of the world, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. However, it is most common in the United States and Canada. The surname is also found in variations such as Barkman, Berkman, Barkley, Bareman, and Barksdale.
Despite its popularity, the surname Barkmeyer remains rare and can be considered a unique family name choice.
Famous people with the name Barkmeyer
- Matthew Barkmeyer: An American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer best known for his appearances on MTV’s Wild ‘N Out, and for his roles in films such as The Lego Batman Movie.
- Eugene Barkmeyer: A member of the United States House of Representatives from Wisconsin in the 20th Congress.
- Steve Barkmeyer: An American sportscaster and former professional ice hockey forward.
- Tom Barkmeyer: An American professional golfer who has competed on the PGA Tour and Web.com Tour.
- Joe Barkmeyer: An American professional golfer and Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the St. Louis Cardinals.
- Donny Barkmeyer: An American college football player who played for the University of Wisconsin–Madison football team from 1971 to 1974.
- Ivan Barkmeyer: An American professional basketball player who is most well known for playing for the Washington Wizards.
- Hans Barkmeyer: An American prospector and miner who made his fortune in the gold rush of 1859.
- Richard Barkmeyer: An American snowboarder who is best known for winning the USASA National Championship in 2017.
- Lee Barkmeyer: An American film director and producer who is best known for his film "The Rocky Mountain Low".