Surname Birkmair - Meaning and Origin
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Birkmair: What does the surname Birkmair mean?
The last name Birkmair is derived from the German language, and as such has multiple related meanings, depending on the spelling and pronunciation. The most common spelling of the name, “Birkmair”, refers to a birch (or birk) Brigadier. This would mean that the name makes reference to a rank in the German military which was an officer appointed to command an infantry battalion or a squadron of cavalry. In some cases, a Brigadier may also have been given other responsibilities, such as overseeing hostilities and military supplies.
Additionally, the name Birkmair could have derived from the Old High German word "birga" (meaning a fortification). This is yet another potential reference to the military. There is also evidence to suggest that in some cases, the name was an occupational name for people involved in the production of birch or birch oil,which is used in tanning leather and in soap-making. Finally,the name could have denoted a person associated with a birch forest.
In conclusion, the last name Birkmair may have a range of meanings related to either military rank, fortifications, associated industries, or forests with birch trees. It is believed to have originated in Germany and would have been assigned to its bearers in order to distinguish them from members of other families of the same name.
Order DNA origin analysisBirkmair: Where does the name Birkmair come from?
The last name Birkmair is most commonly found in southern Germany, though it is found in other countries with German speaking roots as well. In Germany, areas where the name is most common include Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and parts of North Rhine-Westphalia. An estimated 2,400 people living in Germany bear the Birkmair surname.
The last name is also found in Austria and Switzerland, along with other German-speaking countries. The origin of the surname is believed to be of Germanic origin. It likely originated from the Middle High German word ‘berchmar’, meaning a boundary marker or guardian. The surname may have been given to border dwellers and those responsible for patrolling the area, as well as families that originated in certain Germanic regions associated with the name.
At one time, the Birkmair surname was quite common in English-speaking regions too. Records show its presence in the United States as early as the 18th century, though its use has since decreased. This is due to the fact that most people of Germanic origins who migrated to the US and Canada in the 19th century changed their last names in an effort to escape anti-German sentiment and stigma.
Given its Germanic origins, the surname Birkmair is still quite common in etc German-speaking countries, while its use in English-speaking countries has been greatly reduced.
Variations of the surname Birkmair
The surname Birkmair is derived from the Germanic words "birch" and "moor." The name originated in southern German-speaking areas and is believed to have been used as a nickname for someone who lived or worked near a birch tree or a moor. The name is most commonly spelled as Birkmair, but it also has several other spellings and variants.
Variants of the name include Burkmeyer, Birkmeyer, Bierkmeier, and Birkmaier. All of these variants still retain the roots of their origin, which are the German words "birch" and "moor."
In terms of surnames that may share the same origin as Birkmair, there are a few that can be considered. These are Berkmair, Birkmaher, Birkmaurer, Birkmayr, Burkmasser, Bierkmeier, and Birkmeir. All of these surnames also have roots in German because they contain either the word "birch" or "moor" in them.
Overall, the surname Birkmair has a variety of different spellings and variants, some of which may even have the same origin as the name itself. All of these spellings and variants still have their roots in Germanic words, making them all related in one way or another.
Famous people with the name Birkmair
- Peter Birkmair: Austrian former abstract painter and stage designer
- Danilo Birkmair: Area Manager at Johnson Controls and former Senior Project Engineer at Gemalto
- Elisabeth Birkmair: German novelist and historian
- Heinz Birkmair: Austrian lawmaker for the People’s Party
- Anders Birkmair: Artist and designer
- Julian Birkmair: German physician and writer
- Lorenz Birkmair: German jurist and composer
- Viktor Birkmair: Austrian stage actor
- Franz Birkmair: Austrian architect
- Richard Birkmair: German theologian and faculty member at the University of Marburg