Surname Käsmacher - Meaning and Origin
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Käsmacher: What does the surname Käsmacher mean?
The last name Käsmacher is of German origin, originating from the Middle High German term “käs”, which means cheese. The name is a derived from an occupation connected with the production of cheese. The surname could refer to a person who was a cheese merchant, a cheesemonger, a cheese carter, or a cheese maker.
In the Middle Ages, Käsmacher families were mainly found in the area of Moravia, which straddles the modern-day borders of Czech Republic and Slovakia. The name also appears in some regions of the former German Democratic Republic.
Common variations in the spelling of the last name include Kaesemacher, Kaesmacher, Käsmaecher, and Käßmacher. Käsmacher is a patrilineal family name, meaning that it is passed down from father to son. It is likely that those who bear the surname today, can trace their ancestry back to one of their ancestors working in the cheese industry in the Middle Ages.
Käsmacher is an occupational name, indicating an ancestor that had a place in the area’s cheese production industry. It is an unusual last name, and its history and background remain largely unknown. Those who are born with this last name take pride in their heritage and often work hard to research their genealogical roots in order to better understand their ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisKäsmacher: Where does the name Käsmacher come from?
The last name Käsmacher is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. It is believed to have originated in either Bavaria or Kärnten (Carinthia) where it is most heavily concentrated. Records from the 1500s and 1600s show various spellings of the name, such as Kaesmeger, Kessmacher, and Käsmach.
The name literally means "grocer" or "food vendor", and was likely adopted by early settlers who made their living selling food. The same root word, “Käse”, is also found in other German names, such as Käser (cheesemaker) and Käseler (small cheesemaker).
In modern Germany and Austria, the name Käsmacher (or a variant spelling) can be found in parts of Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Saarland, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Hesse as well as some parts of Austria.
Käsmacher is still an uncommon name, though it has seen some small increases in popularity in recent years. There are an estimated 3,000-4,000 people bearing the name today.
In addition to Germany and Austria, the surname can also be found in other European countries, such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Switzerland. It is also present the United States due to emigration.
There, it is especially concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic region, specifically Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Virginia.
Variations of the surname Käsmacher
The surname Käsmacher is most commonly found in Germany and is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages. The surname Käsmacher is derived from the Middle High German word "ksam" which means "statute" or "rules". This is likely why the surname was so commonly linked to the management or administration of larger properties. The variant spellings of Käsmacher are Kaesemacher, Kaesemacher, Käsemacher, Käsmeier and Kassmaier.
Surnames that originate from the same root as Käsmacher include Kasemann, Kaesimann, Käsemacher, Kaes, Kaser, Kaesser, Kass, Kaeßer, Kaesmann, Kaasmann, Kaesemann, Kaeßmann, Käsemann, Kaessmann, Kasemeyer, Kassmeyer, Kasselmann, Kässmann, Kaserer, Kaeser, Kaser and Kasche.
Due to the popularity of the surname, it has also been adopted by families from other countries and has occasionally evolved in terms of spelling and pronunciation. Thus, some variant surnames are Kaji, Kac, Kashi, Kesque, Kashka and Kassia. Additionally, in Spanish the surname may appear as Casmacher or Casamacher.
Overall, the Germanic surname Käsmacher has numerous variant spellings and surnames that stem from its original meaning. Most are found still mainly in German-speaking parts of the world. These surnames also reflect the multifaceted history behind the name and the family members it represents.
Famous people with the name Käsmacher
- Joseph Käsmacher: Joseph was a Hungarian-born Austrian painter and graphic artist who worked mainly in Vienna. He pursued an academic painting career, studying in Munich, Paris, Rome and Vienna, and showing particular focus on animal and landscape painting.
- Hugo Käsmacher: Hugo was a German professor of linguistics and philology at the University of Greifswald. He specialised in the study of several European languages including English, Spanish, Greek, Latin and German.
- Herwig Käsmacher: Herwig was a German theologian and Catholic clergyman. He was a leading member of the socialist and working-class movement in Germany and the Catholic Church in the early 20th century and was one of the pioneers in promoting peace between Germany and the Soviet Union.
- Guido Käsmacher: Guido was a German sculptor known for his bronze busts of famous figures, including Goethe and Schiller. He was also a prolific draftsman who exhibited his work in Germany and across Europe.
- Erwin Käsmacher: Erwin was a Swiss footballer and coach. He is known for his time as player-manager at Swiss club FC Basel from 1976 to 1978. He was also a member of the Swiss national team and had a successful career at a number of clubs in Switzerland and Germany.
- Wilhelm Käsmacher: Wilhelm was a German composer, pianist, and conductor. He was a prolific composer of chamber and vocal works, including several operas. He had a long career at the Stuttgart Opera and was director of the Stuttgart Conservatory.
- Hans Käsmacher: Hans was an Austrian sculptor who specialised in life-size bronze portrait busts. He was well-travelled and had works exhibited in many cities including Vienna, Rome, Munich, Zurich, Hanover, and Brussels.