Surname Birgmayer - Meaning and Origin
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Birgmayer: What does the surname Birgmayer mean?
The last name Birgmayer is of Germanic origin, derived from two words: berg, meaning mountain and meier, meaning mayor. It is thought to have been a name used to refer to someone who served as the mayor of a mountain village or region, particularly in the Middle Ages.
The variant spellings of Birgmayer range from Bergmaier in Germany to Birgmaier and Birgmyer in the United States. It is still a fairly common name in the German-speaking areas of Europe, and a small number of people with the name are found in the United States.
The Birgmayer name is associated with a few ancient noble families, including the Berthaiche and Hartman families of Bavaria, the Hartman family of Austria, and the Idberger family of Bohemia. Records of the Birgmayer name date back several centuries. In 1473 the Birgmayers were named members of the Upper Seignorial Estate of Frankenghaus, and in 1526 the family was associated with the city of Nürnberg.
The meaning of the Birgmayer name helps shed light on its origins. Those with this surname can trace their heritage back to a time when powerful families held sway over entire mountain regions. Individuals of this name can take pride in their ancestors’ legacy, even if they are of distant descent from those original lineages.
Order DNA origin analysisBirgmayer: Where does the name Birgmayer come from?
The last name 'Birgmayer' is generally found in Central Europe. It is most common in German-speaking countries, especially Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In 2019, Birgmayer ranked 11,248th in Germany, with 7,397 holders of the name living in the country. It was also present in other nearby countries such as Hungary (1,210), Czech Republic (680) and the Netherlands (575).
The origin of the name is German. It was originally used to describe someone who lived near a briar patch (descended from the Middle High German ‘birgemere’, which means 'briar place'). It may also have roots in the Old High German word ‘birigiri’, which means 'birch hill'.
The surname of Birgmayer is likely derived from an old feudal noble family of the Holy Roman Empire. Records indicate that a family of this name were given the baronetcy of Langenkopf (modern day Blattenkofen, Germany) in 1272.
Today, the surname is most widespread in Germany. This is mainly due to a large migration of German-speakers to the US in the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as to smaller numbers of Europeans in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Birgmayer
Birgmayer is a German surname derived from a combination of elements, specifically the Proto-Germanic words "bergan," meaning "to help," and "mago," meaning "man." The name could be translated to mean "one who helps others." Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Birgmayer include:
Bergermayr, Bergbauer, Berndmayer, Berndmaier, Birgmutter, Birgmeier, Burgmayr, Berghammer, Bergmair, Franzman, Franzmanüller, Franzmaner, Franzmanndorf, Franze, Friesenmayer, and Vergil.
In various regions, spellings and surnames developed differently over time due to dialectical differences and cultural conventions. For example, in the old Germanic language, the word “mayer” would become “meir” in certain dialects, leading to surnames such as BergeMeir or BerndMeir. The surname could also be anglicized into Bergenmayer, Bergman, Bergmann, or Bergmeyer.
In Austria, Birgmayer could even be transliterated into Bürgmayer, a variant which originally developed as an occupational surname for laborers living on the outskirts of towns or rural areas.
Birgmayer is a relatively rare surname, although it has been found in records in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is likely the result of immigration to these various countries, as the surname Birgmayer is not found in any other parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Birgmayer
- Franz Birgmayer (1885-1951): Austrian physiologist and neuroscientist.
- Michael Birgmayer (1963-Present): Austrian actor and writer.
- Julie Birgmayer (1941-Present): wife of the late Lord Howard of Lympne and former editor of Country Life Magazine.
- Robert Birgmayer (1940-Present): German theologian and priest.
- Robert Birgmayer (1956-Present): German geographer and former president of the German Association of Geographers.
- Kurt Birgmayer (1929-Present): Austrian football manager.
- Julie Birgmayer (1940-Present): American educator and professor of language, literature, and culture at the University of New Mexico.
- Sven Birgmayer (1882-1959): German painter and art teacher.
- Fabian Birgmayer (born 1975): Austrian journalist and literary critic.
- Paul Birgmayer (1907-1964): Austrian diplomat and political adviser.
- Alfred Birgmayer (1900-1981): Austrian Expressionist painter.
- Heinz Birgmayer (1904-1981): Austrian sculptor and engraver.
- Sandra Birgmayer (born 1954): German photographer and graphic designer.
- Hubert Birgmayer (1945-Present): Austrian lawyer, politician, and honorary president of the European Christian Party.
- Anna Birgmayer (1915-2010): Austrian architect.