Surname Hintermeir - Meaning and Origin
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Hintermeir: What does the surname Hintermeir mean?
The last name Hintermeir is of German origin. It is derived from two root words, 'hinter' meaning 'behind' and 'meir' meaning 'greatly.' The family name is likely derived from a profession, and usually denotes a person who was a rear guard in the army, or who protected a territory by making sure that there were no intrusions from behind. Other interpretations of the name include a high status family, or someone who was highly respected or influential in the past.
The Hintermeir name is one of the oldest in Germany. Historical records trace it back to the 12th century, when it was found in the Palatine region of the Rhineland. Over the centuries, members of the Hintermeir family have been successful in many facets of life, including politics, commerce, and the church. The name can even be found in books of heraldry and nobility.
Today, the surname Hintermeir is used by a large number of people in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and beyond, and is used as a first name in some countries. As the name suggests, a sense of great respect still accompanies the Hintermeir name, and it continues to be associated with outstanding leadership and social standing.
Order DNA origin analysisHintermeir: Where does the name Hintermeir come from?
The last name Hintermeir is an occupational surname originating from German-speaking countries. Today, the surname is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. The highest number of individuals with the surname are located in Germany, where it is the 450th most common name, and is estimated to have around 32,000 bearers.
In Austria, the name is the 199th most common and has about 16,000 bearers. It is commonly found in the states of Upper Austria, Tyrol, and Lower Austria.
When it comes to Switzerland, the name is the 441st most common, with around 6,000 bearers.
In the United States, Hintermeir is an uncommon name, currently ranked at 23,457 out of 88,799. The states with the highest number of bearers are California, Texas, Ohio, and New York.
In general, the name is most common in central Europe, primarily in German-speaking countries, and is a rarer occurrence in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Hintermeir
The surname Hintermeir is a German and Dutch name believed to have originated in the Low Countries. It may be spelled Hintermeir, Hindermaer, Hindemaer, Hindemeer, Hindemair, Hintermyer, Hintermer, Hintersma, Intermeyer, Intermayer, Intermair, and Intermaer.
In German, the root of the name is 'hinter' meaning 'behind' or 'after'. The suffix -meir in German means 'one who lives nearby'. So while there are a number of spelling variants, all of them share the same basic linguistic roots.
The earliest known occurrences of this name in Germany were in the region of Mecklenburg, where "Hinther Maer" was recorded in 1581.
Until the 19th century, variations in spelling of this name were more frequent in Germany than in the Netherlands, but by the late 19th century the 'er' spelling became even more popular in Holland.
The family worked mainly as farmers in the Low Countries. As the population grew, many families bearing the Hintermeir name left for the Americas to seek more opportunity.
Today, the name Hintermeir is still common in the Netherlands, Germany, and the countries of emigration. Its many spellings are all of the same origin, and related families often use variations in spelling for branches of their family.
Famous people with the name Hintermeir
- Tom Hintermeister: Professional Skateboarder
- Hans Hintermeister: Austrian Artist
- Gregor Hintermeyer: German Artist
- Herbert Hintermeister: US Artist
- Heinrich Hintermeister: German Painter
- Maria Hintermeister: German Artist
- Elisabeth Hintermeister: German Sculptor
- Othmar Hintermeister: Swiss Painter
- Alfred Hintermeister: Swiss Painter
- Sigmar Hintermeister: German Painter