Surname Burmeister - Meaning and Origin

A Journey into my Roots: My iGENEA DNA Test Experience as a Burmeister

Through the iGENEA DNA test, I voyaged into the depths of my ancestry. Besides discovering the German origin of my surname, Burmeister, I also uncovered potential relatives within the comprehensive DNA database. This exhilarating journey was worth every bit of effort.

X. Burmeister

Burmeister: What does the surname Burmeister mean?

The last name Burmeister is of Germanic origin and is derived from the Middle High German term "burcmeister," meaning mayor or master of a city or borough. The surname has been found in both Germany and the United States, as German immigrants brought the name with them when they came to the US in the latter half of the 19th century.

The earliest appearance of the Burmeister surname in Germany is from the late 13th century, when it was used to refer to people who held positions of authority over their towns and lands. In Germany, the word “Burcmeister” is still used today to refer to mayors and other local officials.

The Burmeister surname can be found in records as early as the 13th century in places such as Berlin, Pomerania, Prussia, Bohemia, Austria, and Bavaria. In the United States, the Burmeisters can be found in places like Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York.

The Burmeister name is still common in Germany, reflecting its long-standing popularity and nobility over the centuries. In the United States, the name is still held by many families who can trace their ancestry back to Germany and the time of immigration. Those who bear the name today are proud to honor their ancestors and their German heritage.

Burmeister: Where does the name Burmeister come from?

The last name Burmeister is predominantly found in Germany and other German-speaking countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

Burmeister is among the most popular names in Germany, ranking within the top 100 surnames. It is specifically common in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, particularly in areas with large German-speaking populations.

The northern and western German states are home to the most Burmeister families, but the name is also well established throughout the rest of the country. It is more rare in the southern and eastern states, but still present.

The French provinces of Alsace and Lorraine, which border Germany, are also home to many families with the last name Burmeister. This is due to France's periods of rule over these areas during the Middle Ages, when many German-speaking settlers moved in, bringing their surnames with them.

Burmeister is also present in the United States, although it is the least common in comparison with the other countries. Many German-speaking immigrants came to the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries and brought their last names with them. To this day, the Burmeister last name remains present in the US, particularly in areas with large German-American communities.

Variations of the surname Burmeister

The surname Burmeister is a very old German name with many variants and alternate spellings, in addition to many related surnames.

Burmeister is often written as Burmester, Bürmeister, Boehrmester, of Boehrmeister, and can additionally be written with an umlaut (e.g. Bürmeister). Other related surnames include Bormeister, Bambuster, and Bormiester.

Burmeister can also be found in a patronymic form, as Burmeisterin. This is a feminine form of the name, indicating it is borne by the son (or descendant) of a Burmeister. The surname can also be found in the form of Burmeisterova, which is a patronymic with Czech origins.

Variants of Burmeister outside of the German language may include Barmeister, and Borimeister, which are still of German origin, as well as forms such as Bormaster (Dutch), Borrmiester (Frisian), Barmeyster (Afrikaans), Barmystr (Scandanavian), and Balmaster, (English).

In some cases, Burmeister and its variants can be found as a first name, rather than as a surname. This can often indicate that the bearer already had several namesakes in the same family.

Overall, the many different variants of the Burmeister surname bear witness to its ancient German origins, as well as its spread into other countries and languages over time.

Famous people with the name Burmeister

• Clemens Burmeister: German actor, director, and screenwriter.
• Emil Burmeister: German theologian, philosopher, and historian.
• Hugo Burmeister: German mathematician and physicist.
• Jesper Burmeister: Danish comedian.
• Johan Burmeister: German physicist and astronomer.
• John Burmeister: American theatre director and producer.
• Louisa Burmeister: Australian actress and film producer.
• Michael Burmeister: German classical philologist and apostolic vicar.
• Otto Burmeister: German mathematician and astronomer.
• Rüdiger Burmeister: German actor and ice hockey coach.
• Sandra Burmeister: German volleyball player.
• Viktor Burmeister: German composer and conductor.
• Thies Burmeister: German astronomer and astrophysicist.
• Wilhelm Burmeister: German poet and playwright.
• Wolf Harro Burmeister: German experimental physicist and entrepreneur.

Other surnames

Burmeisters