Surname Centmeier - Meaning and Origin
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Centmeier: What does the surname Centmeier mean?
The last name Centmeier is of German origin, and is derived from the root word 'Centmair', which itself comes from the old German word 'zentmair', meaning 'one hundred mayors'. It is believed that those with the Centmeier surname were initially public officials or leaders in smaller communities. The 'meier' portion of the surname is indicative of those with a high rank, and thus suggests that those with the Centmeier surname were likely of some importance in their communities.
It is believed that the Centmeier family likely emerged from the Bavarian region of Germany, although some have asserted that Centmeier might also trace its roots to France. During the medieval period, Centmeier families were small in numbers en masse, but widely represented throughout many regions across Europe.
Centmeier families are now most prevalent in the United States, where many of their relatives migrated to throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Around 45,000 Americans are estimated to carry the Centmeier surname today. This suggests that many descendants of the original Centmeier families have been able to adapt and proliferate outside of their native Bavaria. There are also notable concentrations of Centmeier families in Canada and Australia, where descendants of the original families have also established roots.
Ultimately, the Centmeier surname is a testament to the resiliency and adaptability of the original families who first bore the name in Bavaria. It is a mark of distinction that many descendants can be proud to carry in the 21st century.
Order DNA origin analysisCentmeier: Where does the name Centmeier come from?
The last name Centmeier is found across Germany, the United States and Canada. In Germany, Centmeier is among the top 1,500 most common surnames, making it one of the more popular last names in the country. It also appears on the Bavarian coat of arms. In the United States it is more common in the midwest, particularly states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, where a large number of German immigrants and their descendants settled.
In Canada, Centmeier is primarily found in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia, where a number of people with this surname emigrated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often during difficult times in Germany. This name has also been carried across the world as more and more members of the Centmeier family migrate in search of a better life. As a result, a significant number of people with this surname can also be found in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and other countries.
In conclusion, it is likely you will find people with the last name Centmeier in all corners of the world in today’s world. It is likely the name Centmeier will continue to be well distributed and popular for generations to come.
Variations of the surname Centmeier
Centmeier is an uncommon name of Germanic origin, first appearing in records in the United States in the early 19th century. The name is most likely derived from the Germanic element Cent, meaning “hundred,” and meier, an occupational name for a tenant farmer.
Variants of Centmeier include Centamore and Santamore. In some cases, the surname has been Americanized to Santmeyer or Santmyer. Spellings of the name that have been seen include Centemeyer, Santemeyer, Sontemeyer, and Sontmeyer.
It is also possible that the name Centmeier is a variant of other French and German surnames ending in -meier, such as Schmeir, Schmaier, Schmeid, Schmeis, and Schmies. The name can also take different forms and spellings depending on the language and dialect used.
In Germany, the names Sentmeier, Sontemayer, and Sontmayer can be found. In France, variants of Centmeier include SanMAIER, SanPEMIER, and SentPOMAIER.
Centmeier is also known to appear as a surname in some parts of England, predominantly in rural and coastal areas. Variants of the name include Sendemeier, Sentemayr, and Centamier.
Due to its Zionist Jewish origins, it is also possible that the name Centmeier originated from the name of a village in Israel, known as Kahal Centemer in Hebrew. This would give the origin of the name a very different meaning.
Famous people with the name Centmeier
- Laurence Centmeier, French artist and architect.
- Jacques Centmeier, German composer and pianist.
- Ralf Centmeier, German sculptor.
- Werner Centmeier, German painter and graphic artist.
- Heinrich Centmeier, German Father of the Church.
- Gustav Centmeier, German survivor of the Holocaust.
- Karl Centmeier, German politician.
- Banjo Centmeier, Canadian politician.
- Aram Centmeier, Russian novelist and poet.
- Annette Centmeier, French artist.
- Sophie Centmeier, German opera singer.
- Eugen Centmeier, German philosopher.
- Lisa Centmeier, American singer-songwriter.
- Louise Centmeier, French author and illustrator.
- Doris Centmeier, Swiss actress.
- Erich Centmeier, Austrian physicist.
- Heinz Centmeier, Swiss physicist.
- Ingrid Centmeier, French astronomer.
- Sven Centmeier, German air force pilot and ace.
- Anita Centmeier, Australian painter and sculptor.