Surname Hintermeyer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Hintermeyer: What does the surname Hintermeyer mean?
The surname Hintermeyer comes from the German word "hinter", meaning "back" or "behind", and "Meyer", a common prefix indicating a person who is from a certain town, village, estate, or other locality. Therefore, a literal translation of the surname Hintermeyer would be something like "the one from behind the estate.”
The surname Hintermeyer is likely of nicknamic origin, meaning that it was likely first taken by a person who had some sort of physical or behavioral characteristic associated with the name. For example, they may have been known for living or working behind an estate.
The surname Hintermeyer is widely distributed across Europe, and is especially popular in Germany and Austria. It is believed that people with this surname likely had some kind of familial connection with the area - perhaps they were servants or people from the surrounding region that settled in the area and adopted the surname.
Hintermeyer is a relatively rare name, though its orthographic variants, such as Hüntermeir, Hindemeyer, and Pointmeyer, are common in different parts of Europe.
The surname may also be an occupational name, derived from the Middle High German word ‘hinto’, which means ‘shelter’ or ‘protection.’ This suggests that the Hintermeyers could have been architects or builders who constructed fortifications, walls, and other protective structures.
Overall, the surname Hintermeyer most likely has a variety of origins, ranging from nicknames and their associated characteristics, to family connections and occupational surnames. Though we may never know the exact meaning of the name, it is a clear mark of a proud European lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisHintermeyer: Where does the name Hintermeyer come from?
The last name Hintermeyer is most commonly found today in Germany, especially in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Thuringia. It is also occasionally found in the bordering countries of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland. During the 19th century, many people bearing the name were recorded immigrating to the United States.
The surname Hintermeyer is believed to be a German topographic name for a person who lived near the rear boundary or measure line. It is derived from the combination of the words “hinter” and “meiler”, meaning behind and millet, respectively. In medieval Germany, millet was often used as a way to section off property.
Due to its prevalence in Germany, the last name is widely available in genealogical records, such as those found on sites such as Ancestry.com, MyHeritage, and Familysearch. Over the years, many people with the Hintermeyer surname have gone on to become successful and well-known, ranging from Olympic medalists and singers to inventors and physicists.
It is likely that the last name Hintermeyer will continue to be associated with Germany, although in today’s world it is by no means a rare occurrence to encounter the surname elsewhere.
Variations of the surname Hintermeyer
The surname Hintermeyer is of German origin and is derived from the word "Hintermeier," which means "farmer behind the mountain range." This surname is found primarily in Germany, where it is a variant of the surname Hintermeier. Variations of Hintermeyer include Hintrich, Hintermeir, Hinternmeier, Hinter-Meier, Hintermeiere, Hintermeyerin, Hintermayer, Hintermyer, Hintermair and Hintermyerin.
In the United States, Hintermeyer is primarily a variant of Hintermeier, and is more common in the Midwest of the United States, especially in Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
In Australia, the surname Hintermeyer is an Anglicised version of Hintermeier.
In some cases, Hintermeyer is also a form of the German surname Hintermair or Hintermeier. Hintermair is a German topographic surname for someone living behind a moor or heath. Variations of the surname include Hintermayr, Hintermair, Hintermeier, Hintermaier, Hintermyer, and Hintermayer.
In addition, some members of the Hintermeyer family spell the surname as Hintermier or Hintermeir. This is a common variation in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe.
Variants of this surname include Hintermier, Henteheimer, Hintermaier, Hintermeir, Hintermeyerin, Hintermeiere, Hintermayer, and Hintermyer.
Famous people with the name Hintermeyer
- Ralf Hintermeyer: German film actor and star of blockbuster films such as Die Welle.
- Simone Hintermeyer: Senior Marketing Manager at UBS and daughter of Ralf Hintermeyer.
- Alexander Hintermeyer: Bestselling author in Germany and recipient of the Kafka Prize for Literature.
- Peter Hintermeyer: German entrepreneur, co-founder of the investment firm Hintermeyer & Co.
- Sabine Hintermeyer: German fashion designer and founder of the experimental fashion label 'Hintermeyer & Friends'.
- Annemarie Hintermeyer: German film producer and the executive producer of several notable films, including The Lives of Others.
- Michael Hintermeyer: German painter, sculptor and sculptor-designer and the founder of the Hintermeyer Atelier.
- Manfred Hintermeyer: German choreographer, circus director and the director of the annual Cirque Bayern event.
- Lars Hintermeyer: German television presenter and voice-over artist for television and radio shows.
- Tobias Hintermeyer: German independent film director, having international success with his films.