Surname Bekemeyer - Meaning and Origin
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Bekemeyer: What does the surname Bekemeyer mean?
The surname Bekemeyer is derived from the Germanic personal name ‘Böckemeijer’ meaning 'ox herder'. It is thought to have been an occupational name for someone who worked with oxen or someone who was an oxpen-keeper. The name also indicates that the initial bearer may have had some land property - perhaps an oxen meadow. It is an early variant of the later surname, Bokemeyer, and is found primarily in the western and northern regions of Germany.
In modern times, Bekemeyer is still a common surname in Germany, and is found throughout the United States, primarily in areas where many German immigrants settled in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It can also be found in other nations with German speakers, such as Switzerland, Austria, and Canada.
In a general sense, the German name Bekemeyer reflects a sense of loyalty, faithfulness, and hard work - values that were important to the rural farming communities of northern Germany in the 19th and early 20th centuries, which is the likely source of the name. Today, the Bekemeyer surname may represent a connection to ancestors who lived in this area of Germany, or an appreciation for the values of these settlers, and their descendants.
Order DNA origin analysisBekemeyer: Where does the name Bekemeyer come from?
The last name Bekemeyer is most often seen in the Northeastern portion of the United States, particularly rural areas of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana, as well as the Midwest states of Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri. Records show that some Bekemeyers can also be found in the Southern U.S. states of Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama. The Bekemeyer surname is considered to be of Germanic origin, and is likely derived from the Middle High German name "Bekemeie," which is a variation of the German personal name "Bekemeyer." The surname Bekemeyer does not appear to have any significant presence outside of North America.
There are several notable Bekemeyers throughout history, some of the most renowned being explorer and diplomat Johann Jacob Bekemeyer, Kentucky General Assemblyman Ozias H. Bekemeyer, and Lieutenant Colonel Frank Bekemeyer of the U.S. Marine Corps. A cursory web search for "Bekemeyer" today shows people with this surname currently residing in the states previously mentioned as well as modern-day Illinois, Texas, Maryland, and Virginia. From the available data, it appears that the Bekemeyer family name is well established in its traditional American region of residence and continues to be carried on by present-day descendants.
Variations of the surname Bekemeyer
The surname Bekemeyer is of German origin, and its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin are primarily going to be German in origin as well.
Variants of the name include Bäkemeyer, Baekemeyer, Bakemeyer, Bekemeier, Bekemayer, Bekemeier, Bekmeyer, and Bükemeyer.
The surname Bäkemeyer is a variation of the Bökemeyer spelling, which originates from the Dutch “Boekemaer”. Bäkemeyer is also occasionally seen spelled as Baekemayer.
Bakemeyer is a form of the surname that originates from the German “Backer", which means “baker”. Bakemeyer and Bekemayer are also sometimes seen spelled as Beckmeyer.
The surname Bekemeier is derived from the German “Beeker”, which is a derivative of the surname “Baker”.
The surname Bükemeyer is a variation of Bekemeyer, and it is derived from the German “Bücker”, which means cooper (a person who makes barrels).
The surnames Bekemayer, Bekmeyer, and Baekemayer may also be found in some areas. All of these forms of the name can be found all over Germany and in areas of the Netherlands where German is spoken.
Famous people with the name Bekemeyer
- Stan Bekemeyer: a professional American soccer player who was part of the 1994 US World Cup squad and played for clubs such as the Colorado Rapids, San Jose Clash and Los Angeles Galaxy.
- Jeff Bekemeyer: a composer and singer/songwriter from Montana whose work has appeared in film and television.
- Leo Bekemeyer: a professional rugby union player who played for the French Top14 club Lyon Olympique Universitaire.
- John Bekemeyer: an Australian graphic designer and surfer whose pioneering work revolutionized the art of surfing with boards made of lighter construction materials.
- Rolf Bekemeyer: a German professional kiteboarder from Hamburg, Germany, and a multiple world and national champion.
- Philipp Bekemeyer: a former professional rower from Germany who competed in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics.
- Alan Bekemeyer: a doctor and professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- Peter Bekemeyer: a professional maze designer and artist whose work featuring mazes was featured in the upcoming Atlas Obscura Calendar.
- Marianne Bekemeyer: a natural health practitioner and the founder of the Wellness own & Living Center in Los Angeles, California.
- Justin Bekemeyer: an innovator and entrepreneur who was recently listed on Geekwire’s list of “30 under 30” tech innovators.