Surname Forstmayr - Meaning and Origin
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Forstmayr: What does the surname Forstmayr mean?
The last name Forstmayr is a German name derived from the Middle High German word “fōrestmāre,” meaning "forest master." It is believed to have originated as an occupational surname, referring to someone who was in charge of a forest or owned a forest estate.
In addition to its components of “fōrst” and “māre,” Forstmayr also contains the German term “ehre” (“honor"), suggesting the noble character of the occupation of a forest master. This also reflects the fact that many of those who bore the Forstmayr surname were of the gentry in medieval German society.
The Forstmayr surname is believed to have first been used in Northern Germany during the early Middle Ages. It has since spread throughout Germany, Austria, and parts of Eastern Europe. Today, the Forstmayr surname is also represented in other parts of the world, such as the United States, thanks to display of migratory people.
Despite its ancient origin, the Forstmayr surname still figures prominently in many German-speaking populations. It is therefore likely that the Forstmayr name will continue to be passed on and used by many generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisForstmayr: Where does the name Forstmayr come from?
The Forstmayr surname is a very old German family name, and it can be seen in many records throughout Europe. Today, the Forstmayr surname is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. The surname is less common in other parts of Europe as well as in America, where there are only a few people with the name.
In Germany, the Forstmayr name dates back to at least the 15th century. The family lived mainly in the cities of Mainz, Frankfurt, and Worms. Records also indicate that some of the family moved to other parts of Europe, such as Austria, France, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
The highest concentration of the name is in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg in Germany. Here, the surname is the 735th most common name and can still be found in small villages and towns. There are also people with the surname living in Austria and elsewhere in Europe.
In the United States, the Forstmayr name is much less common and is only the 18400th most common surname, according to the 2000 US Census. Those with the name are almost exclusively from German regions and have moved to America over the past few hundred years.
Overall, the Forstmayr name is still quite present in the German-speaking countries and in small parts of Europe. It is much less common in the United States, but there are still a few Forstmayrs living in America today.
Variations of the surname Forstmayr
The surname Forstmayr has various spellings and variants, all originating from an ancient Germanic language. These include Forstmeyer, Forstmeier, Forstmair, and many other variations. It is usually found in the Southern Germany and Austrian regions, as well as other parts of Europe.
The surname is thought to derive from the Germanic word “forest”, which translates to “forest-dweller”. It is an occupational surname, often given to those individuals who were foresters and that lived and worked near the forest. The surname would have been used as a way to denote family lineage and assist with identification when members of the same family were living in different villages.
Similar surnames include Forster, Friedl, and Fuchs. All are derived from the same Germanic language, and all have an occupational meaning that denote a job within a forest.
In the United States of America, the surname is rare but can sometimes be found written as Forstman, Forrestman, Farratman, and Fustman. It is also sometimes spelled Varias or Variance.
The spelling of the surname Forstmayr has changed over time, but the overall meaning and origin remains the same. Whether the surname is spelled Forstmair or Forrestman, it is derived from the ancient Germanic language, and refers to someone who made a living within a forest.
Famous people with the name Forstmayr
- Johann Baptist Forstmayr (1784-1843): He was an Austrian music composer, best known for his church music.
- Philip Forstmayr (1893-1967): He was an Austrian lawyer, senior public servant and state minister in the government of Austria from 1945 to 1953.
- Leo Forstmayr (1985- present): He is an Austrian professional ski jumper, who competed internationally between 2006 and 2016.
- Reinhard Forstmayr (1935-2016): He was an Austrian economist, professor of economics and member of the board of directors of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.
- Franz Forstmayr (1930-2006): He was an Austrian painter and graphic artist, remembered for his surrealist drawings.
- Franz Forstmayr, Jr. (1950-2012): He was an Austrian sportsman and coach, known for his successful career in fitness and bodybuilding.
- Franz Forstmayr III (born 1986): He is an Austrian photographer, best known for his award winning underwater photography.
- Anton Forstmayr (born 1982): He is an Austrian contemporary artist, working in a variety of media.
- Hanna Forstmayr (born 1984): She is an Austrian artist, working primarily in collages and mixed media.
- Katharina Forstmayr (born 1991): She is an Austrian sculptor, best known for her work in terracotta and clay.