Surname Bodmer - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling the Roots of Surname Bodmer: A Technical and Historical Insight via iGENEA's DNA Test
The comprehensive DNA test at iGENEA, using advanced genetic testing methodologies, provided detailed insights into the lineage of the surname Bodmer. The technicalities behind the accuracy of the test and the results' extensive historical context remarkably enriched my understanding of my roots and heritage.
F. Bodmer
read moreBodmer: What does the surname Bodmer mean?
The last name Bodmer is a German surname, derived from the words ‘bod’, meaning ‘table’, and ‘mehr’ meaning ‘more’. This surname is likely to have been given to someone who wanted or was given a bigger table than his neighbours, or someone who was in charge of a meeting place that housed a big table.
It is also possible that it comes from the German word ‘bodman’, which was used to refer to an official in a small village. This official was in charge of keeping and maintaining records or Justice of the Peace of a small town.
The name is also likely to come from the German personal name ‘Bodmar’. This name was popular during the medieval period and was derived from the elements ‘bod’ meaning ‘ache’, and ‘mar’ meaning ‘famous’. This name is likely to have been given to someone who was particularly renowned for some kind of fight or suffering.
The modern spelling of the name, Bodmer, may also be a variation of the name ‘Bodemer’, which originated in the ancient kingdom of East Franconia as early as the 8th century. This name was derived from the elements ‘boto’ meaning ‘messenger of the gods’ and ‘mer’ meaning ‘famous’. This could have been used to refer to someone with an important status or who was particularly renowned.
Regardless of its origin, the name Bodmer has been in use for hundreds of years and today can be seen in many parts of the world, including Europe, Australia, and North America.
Order DNA origin analysisBodmer: Where does the name Bodmer come from?
The last name Bodmer is most commonly found in Switzerland, particularly in the region of Zürich. It is an ancient Swiss surname dating back to the Middle Ages. The name is believed to be derived from a Dutch personal name meaning "boatman." Since the 1700s, it has been particularly concentrated in Central Switzerland, the Zurich area, and the Aargau region. It is one of the top 1,000 last names in the country.
Outside Switzerland, the last name Bodmer is also seen in Germany, particularly in the state of Bavaria. The spelling there is usually "Bodemer." In addition, it can also be found in certain parts of France and Austria. Emigration has spread the name to other parts of the world, including the United States, where it is most commonly found in midwestern states as well as California, Texas, and Nevada. In the US, Bodmer can also be spelled Bodenheimer, Bodenheimer, or Bodamer.
The Bodmer name is believed to signify a noble or lower-class background. The Swiss were known for their wide variety of trades, which often determined a particular name's significance and symbolism. While some traces of this association remain today, the last name has evolved to take on a more general meaning.
Variations of the surname Bodmer
The surname Bodmer is of German origin and there are several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variant, spelling, and surname of Bodmer are Baumert, Baudenbach, and Bautermann. These variants contain the same root, “bod” or “baum,” which is a German word for tree. The surname Bodmer itself is derived from the Middle High German term “boudemer,” which means “one who lives by the woods or on the edge of a forest,” making the tree connection clear.
Baudenbach, an alternate spelling and surname, means “woodland” or “woodsman,” and is derived from the Old French “baudenbach.” Bautermann is a variant spelling and surname, derived from the German words “baum” and “mann,” meaning tree and man, respectively.
Other variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the Bodmer surname are: Baudendistel, Baudouin, Bautz, Bonner, Fetzer, and Petzmann. All of these variants contain the same root and often refer to someone who lived in or near a forest. The spelling Fetzer, derived from the German word “Fetz” is also associated with the Bodmer surname and means “wood-cutter.” Similarly, Petzmann derives from the Middle High German word “petz” which means “a thin strip of wood used to light fires.”
Overall, the surname Bodmer originates from a combination of German and French words, and there are many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variants and spellings are often related to trees and someone’s occupation in the woods.
Famous people with the name Bodmer
- Henry Bodmer: American entrepreneur and co-founder of the streaming service company TuneIn.
- Max Bodmer: Swiss chess grandmaster.
- Carl Bodmer: Swiss painter and draughtsman who was best known for the high quality of his aquatints.
- Ernst Bodmer: first German to patent a watch in Germany.
- Rudolf Bodmer: German engineer who did research on early jet engines.
- Silvan Bodmer: Swiss politician who was the president of the Swiss National Council from 1956 to 1957.
- Asa Bodmer: well-known American audiophile and expert on vintage microphones.
- Kurt Bodmer: Swiss theologian and patristics scholar at the University of Basel.
- Hendrik Bodmer: Dutch Invasion Comic artist for DC Comics who worked on titles like Justice League International and Star Trek.
- Christoph Bodmer: Swiss physicist who is best known for his work on the theory of superconductivity.