Surname Bielmeier - Meaning and Origin
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Bielmeier: What does the surname Bielmeier mean?
The last name Bielmeier is an occupational surname, most commonly derived from the Middle High German phrase "bilemiere," meaning someone who generated money from resources by charging a fee. It was a common term used in the feudal and medieval system of the period. As such, the surname is thought to have been brought to Germany by French immigrants.
Bielmeier originally referred to a financial “steward” or “master of the finances” in a larger estate, such as a castle or royal court. These masters would typically be the ones responsible for collecting fees and taxes and managing the payments of wages, as well as looking after the affairs of a castle lord. The surname appears to have been brought to some parts of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria by French immigrants and appears to have been relatively common in these regions.
At one time, most Germans would have been born into a single name and so the use of fixed inherited surnames was relatively uncommon until the 18th century. This could explain why the surname has become somewhat rare today.
In modern times, Bielmeier is associated primarily with Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is thought to be an occupational surname and still carries many of the connotations associated with its origin in the Middle Ages. In some instances, the spelling may vary slightly depending upon the region in which a family settled.
Order DNA origin analysisBielmeier: Where does the name Bielmeier come from?
The last name Bielmeier is more commonly found in Germany than elsewhere. According to Ancestry.com, the surname ranks 11,610th most frequent in Germany, and is particularly common in the states of Bavaria and Saxony. Outside of Germany, the last name is practically nonexistent. While limited numbers of emigrants have left Germany for the United States, the UK, the Netherlands, and other countries, Bielmeier remains very rare in those locations.
Variants of the surname also exist, such as Bielmers, Beilmeier, and Biemeler, but they are similarly uncommon. Overall, Bielmeier is considered a very uncommon name, even in its home country. Surnames like this usually arise as an occupational name or nickname, and may have been bestowed upon a family of brewers, farmers, beekeepers, builders, and other common occupations. This is likely to be how the Bielmeier family obtained its name.
Variations of the surname Bielmeier
The surname Bielmeier is a German surname with several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variants of the surname include Bielmeir, Beilmeier, Beilmeyer, Bielmeyer, Beilmayer, and Bielmayer.
The surname is a combination of the two German words 'biel', meaning 'beautiful', and 'meir', meaning 'one who is esteemed or revered'. Therefore, Bielmeier literally translates to 'beautiful one who is esteemed or revered', a possible description for a powerful leader or ruler.
The spelling of the surname can vary, with the 'ee' sometimes appearing as 'ei' ('Bielmeir'), or the 'ei' sometimes appearing as 'ie' ('Beilmeier'). The endings 'er' or 'erin' can appear after the root word, or it can be dropped.
In many places, the surname is used interchangeably with Sauerwein, Wohler, or Metzger. All three of these names share the same root word as Bielmeier: 'meir', denoting ‘one who is respected and esteemed’.
Surnames like Huertgen, Huerdgen, and Hartgen, Huertgen, and Hertgen also share the same root word as Bielmeier: 'hart', meaning 'bold'.
The surname Bielmeier is widespread throughout Germany, with the highest concentration found in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Hesse. Although its origins are German, it has spread to other parts of the world including the United States and the United Kingdom.
Famous people with the name Bielmeier
- Abigail Bielmeier: Abigail is an American actress and entrepreneur from New York, best known for her recurring roles on the TV series The Young and The Restless, Grace and Frankie, and 9-1-1.
- Sophia Bielmeier: Sophia is a Brazilian model, fashion designer, and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Brazil International 2020.
- Jacob Bielmeier: Jacob is an American professional golfer who won the 2020 PGA Championship and a host of other professional golf tournaments throughout his career.
- Dwight Bielmeier: Dwight is a former American professional football player who played defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL from 2002-2006.
- Nick Bielmeier: Nick is an Australian ice hockey player who currently plays for the Sydney Ice Dogs in the Australian Ice Hockey League.
- Shiloh Bielmeier: Shiloh is an American screenwriter and director, best known for her work on the independent film, Uprising, which was released in 2018.
- Marlie Bielmeier: Marlie is a Canadian politician elected to the House of Commons in 2019 as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada.
- Carly Bielmeier: Carly is an American pop singer and songwriter who had her first album, “The Beauty of Life”, reach the top of the US Billboard Hot 100.