Surname Burgmeier - Meaning and Origin

Burgmeier: What does the surname Burgmeier mean?

The last name Burgmeier derives from an archaic German word, Burgmeister, which originally referred to the mayor of a town or village. This word itself is a compound of the words "burg" and "meister", which roughly translate to "fortified dwelling" and "master" respectively. The Burgmeister, and by extension those bearing the Burgmeier surname, would have originated from a settlement that was surrounded by a wall or held by garrisons and had a mayor overseeing its inhabitants.

The Burgmeier surname is a denotation of a certain social standing in communities throughout Europe in the Middle Ages and medieval period. It indicates a certain house or family within the town or surrounding area that had certain power, leadership responsibilities, and wealth. While the meaning of the name isn't always strictly honored today, the name is still a standing reminder of a proud past and a recognition of one's familial badge of honor.

In the United States, the Burgmeier surname is most prevalent in Pennsylvania, although there exist members of the family with the name scattered throughout the United States from Florida to Washington. It is also found in other countries like Germany, where the name originally originated.

Regardless of where in the world the Burgmeier surname is found, it remains a lasting reminder of the legacy of a proud family line and of those that lived in a walled-in town and possessed a certain power, recognized in name even to this day.

Burgmeier: Where does the name Burgmeier come from?

The last name Burgmeier is most commonly found today in the countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. According to MyHeritage records, Burgmeier is a surname mostly found in Europe with roots dating back to Medieval times in those regions. It is most common in Germany, where it ranks in the top 500 last names, with more than 30,000 people in Germany with the last name. The surname is also fairly common in Austria, with almost 14,000 people having the name, and around 1,000 people in Switzerland with the surname.

The last name Burgmeier was likely derived from the German word "burg," which means castle or fortification, and the word "meier," which means steward or bailiff. The term "meierei" literally means to take care of the manor, which was historically the occupation of the Burgmeier name holder. Many Burgmeiers would have been responsible for day-to-day running of a castle or fortress and managing its servants.

The surname Burgmeier is still widespread in Germany and other German-speaking countries today. It is often found in larger cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Vienna, and Zurich. It is probable that the surname Burgmeier has spread to other countries with the help of migration, although this is not well documented. The surname is most commonly found throughout the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Variations of the surname Burgmeier

The surname Burgmeier is an German surname of patronymic origin, derived from the personal name Burkhardt. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Burkheimer, Bergermeyer, Bergmayer, Bergmeier, Pergmeier, Permeier, Birkmeier, Berchmeyer, Birkmair, Berchmaier, Permayer, Bergmair, Birkmaier, and Bürgmayer.

The surname Burgmeier is thought to derive from the Old High German name "Burckhart", which was common in medieval Germanic times. The name is composed of two elements, "Burk" and "Hart", and can be rendered to mean a brave ruler or strong warrior. In Germany, the surname Burgmeier was especially common in South and Central Germany, particularly in the regions of Bavaria, Rhineland Palatinate, and Central Franconia.

In the US, the surname Burgmeier is found primarily in states with large German populations, such as Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. The surname can also be found in a number of countries in Europe, including France, Netherlands, England, and Spain.

Variations of the surname Burgmeier have been around for centuries. For example, the surname Burckmaier can be found in records in Cologne, Germany as early as the 16th century. In contemporary times, the surname Burgmeier remains relatively uncommon, and is primarily found in German-speaking countries, but can be encountered all over the world.

Famous people with the name Burgmeier

• Shannon Burgmeier, American Singer/Songwriter
• Nicholas Burgmeier, German Professional footballer
• Brian Burgmeier, American Musician and Guitarist
• Mike Burgmeier, American journalist for ESPN
• Gary Burgmeier, American retired professional basketball player
• Uwe Burgmeier, German professional footballer
• Kyle Burgmeier, American model
• Ken Burgmeier, American windsurfer
• John Burgmeier, American voice actor
• Wolfgang Burgmeier, German Bundeswehr General
• Peter Burgmeier, German-American sculptor
• Paul Burgmeier, German professional wrestler
• Katherine Burgmeier, American actor, writer, and director
• Tom Burgmeier, American baseball player
• A. J. Burgmeier, Member of the Ohio State Senate
• Lyle C. Burgmeier, American politician
• Max Burgmeier, German footballer
• Melanie Burgmeier, American actor
• Holly Burgmeier, American singer-songwriter
• Chase Burgmeier, American professional ice hockey player

Other surnames

Burgmeir