Surname Heimerl - Meaning and Origin
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Heimerl: What does the surname Heimerl mean?
Heimerl is a German surname of occupational origin. It can refer to a person who is involved in the raising of pigs or poultry. The name is derived from the Middle High German words "hamer" or "heimer" which mean “pig or chicken farmer”.
The surname Heimerl is common in southern Germany, especially in the region of Bavaria, as well as in Austria. Its popularity is due in part to Jewish immigrants who came to this region to escape religious persecution in the Middle Ages.
Heimerl is always a patronymic or metronymic, meaning it cannot be traced back to a particular ancestral line but was passed down within various families. It has many variants, including Hemerl, Haimerl, Heimall, and Haimerlla.
Today, Heimerl is still a common surname in Germany and Austria, but it also extends to the United States, Canada, and other countries. Although the usage of the surname has spread around the globe, its roots remain firmly in Germanic regions.
Overall, the surname Heimerl carries a strong sense of community with its focus on traditional farming values. Its deep Germanic background adds a note of old-world charm and a sense of tradition to those who bear the name. It is a testament to the strength and resilience of the Germanic cultures that have continued to thrive to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisHeimerl: Where does the name Heimerl come from?
The last name Heimerl is not a common name today, although it is still found in smaller numbers. According to the US Census Bureau, Heimerl is the 4,502nd most common surname in America. It is more commonly found in states like Wisconsin and Minnesota – which are known for their German immigrants and heritage.
Historically, the Heimerls were a family from Bavaria, Germany. Records show that the ancestors of the Heimerl family moved to the United States in the 1850s, settling in Wisconsin and Minnesota. This is confirmed by census records from the late 1800s, which list households with the Heimerl surname in those states.
Today, the Heimerl family remains in America, though it is likely that the vast majority of them are second or third generation descendants of the original immigrants. Most of the current Heimerls living in the United States are spread across the Midwest, and other states with a strong history of German-Alsatian immigration from the 1800s, like Pennsylvania and Illinois.
There is also a smaller population of Heimerls living in Germany today – many of them in Bavaria. However, it is likely that the vast majority of these people are related to the original immigrants who left in the 1800s, as records indicate that large-scale emigration from the area had all but ceased by this point.
Variations of the surname Heimerl
The surname Heimerl is of German origin and may have variations in spelling or other surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common variants for Heimerl include Heimler, Heimel, Heimller, Heemel, Heemler, Heimann, Heimeli, Heimlich, Heimrath, Hemel and Hemler.
The surname Heimann is thought to have developed from a short form of names starting with 'Heim-', meaning 'home', and was used as a nickname for someone from the same home village. Heimann may also have originated as a combination of the Middle High German word 'heim' meaning 'home' and the suffix 'man', meaning 'man'.
The other variants for Heimerl, such as Heimel, Heimller, Heemel and Heemler are believed to be derived from a Middle High German word 'heimel', meaning 'shepherd'. These names could also have developed from the Middle High German word 'hemeg', meaning 'home'.
Heimrath is derived from the Middle High German words 'heim' and 'rath', meaning 'counselor' or 'adviser'.
Heimlich is a modern spelling of the older 'Heimelich', which is actually the Middle High German word for 'secret', and could have originally been a nickname for someone who was secretive.
The surname Hemel is believed to be derived from the Middle High German word 'hemele', meaning 'pasture', and could have been used as a nickname for someone who looked after animals in a pasture.
Finally, Hemler is derived from the Middle High German 'hemelere', meaning 'shepherd', and may have originally been used to denote a shepherd.
Famous people with the name Heimerl
- Matthew Heimerl: An American ornamental ironworker and fabricator who has been featured in many magazines. He is well-known for his work with architectural ironworks and decorative ornamental features used to accentuate the beauty of architectural structures.
- William Heimerl: A politician from Ohio and a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 10th Congressional District of Ohio.
- Jean-Georges Heimerl: A French composer and conductor best known for his operas and operettas.
- Herbert Heimerl: An Austrian ski and snowboard racer who competed in the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics.
- Steven Heimerl: An American lawyer, judge, and politician who served as a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives.
- Karl Heimerl: An Austrian politician, publisher, and newspaper editor.
- René Heimerl: A German painter and illustrator.
- Christian Heimerl: A German professional football player who played as a defender.
- Rudolph Heimerl: An American professional basketball player.
- George Heimerl: An American politician and lawyer who served as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate.