Surname Keimer - Meaning and Origin
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Keimer: What does the surname Keimer mean?
The last name Keimer is of German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin. It is derived from the personal name Kunreich, and is thought to be derived from the old high German composition of "kuni" (kin) and "richi" (ruler or leader).
Keimer is a patronymic surname, which means it is derived from the father's given name. Thus, it indicates that the original bearer of the surname was the son of a man named Kunreich, or someone who was related to him in some way.
The name Keimer was probably borne by an occupational group who were rulers, leaders, mayors or other influential persons in their community. It would have been highly respected and well-recognized in the area where it originated.
Keimer is a fairly uncommon last name and is predominately found in German-speaking countries. It is also found in sparse pockets throughout Europe, the United States, Canada, and South Africa. The number of people with the last name worldwide is estimated to be approximately 2,000 to 5,000.
Order DNA origin analysisKeimer: Where does the name Keimer come from?
The last name Keimer is most commonly found in Germany, specifically in the southwest region, where it appears to have originated. The German states of Hessen and Rhineland-Palatinate have the highest levels of the surname. It is also commonly seen in the United States. This is because a large number of German immigrants settled in the country during the late 19th century.
Outside of Germany and the USA, smaller numbers of the surname can be found in the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, and other countries in Europe. This may be due to descendants of Keimer who left Germany during its tumultuous times, such as the Napoleonic Wars or the Second World War.
The surname is uncommon outside of these countries, however, as people bearing the name today are likely descendants of those German and American immigrants. Little has been recorded about the origins of the Keimer surname, although historians believe it to be a form of the first name Kemmer, a shortened version of "Jacob." This lends further credence to the suggestion that the name originated in Germany.
Variations of the surname Keimer
The surname Keimer is of German origin and is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word “kemmer” which means an official or a chancery clerk. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Keimer are Kämmer, Kämmerer, Kömer, Koehmer, Köhmer, Köhm, Köhne, Köhnen, Köhn, Kühn, Kühner, Kühne, Kühnemann, Kühnermann, Köner, Kahlow, Kahlop, Kalow, Cömer, Cohmer, Coehmer, Coenen, Conen, Comer, Kammer, Kempe, Koemer, Koenen, Kohl, Köhl, Konen, Kopp, Kuhl, Kuhn, and Kühne.
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Keimer all originally originate from the word “kemmer” which was used as an occupational title, but there are several different ways that it could have been interpreted and thus the different spellings and surnames derived. For example, “Kämmer” is the standard German spelling, while “Kömer” and “Koehmer” are alternative spellings based on a more northern Germany dialect and “Kühn” is an alternate spelling based on a western Germany dialect that can also be preserved in surname variants like “Kühne” and “Kühnermann.”
Additionally, there are various surnames that can be derived from this word, such as “Kahlop,” “Kalow,” “Cömer,” and “Kohln” that come from different German dialects, but all essentially stand for a variation of the same word “Kemmer.” Ultimately, the surname Keimer has many different variants spellings and surnames of the same origin, as the original word “Kemmer” has been given many different interpretations over time.
Famous people with the name Keimer
- Peter Keimer (1719-1791): modern painter and engraver
- George Keimer (1690-1743): early Colonial American publisher
- Christian Keimers (c.1725-1781): German-American soldier
- Johann Keimers (1732-1809): early settler of the Pennsylvania Colony
- John Conrad Keimers (1838-1915): prominent American merchant
- Edwin N. Keimers (1899-1954): American politician and lawyer
- Albert Keimer (1901-1968): American movie star
- John Keimers (born 1962): American sportscaster and television personality
- Stephen Keimer (born 1970): American-born singer-songwriter, actor, and comedian
- Sarah Keimer (born 1984): American Olympic-style weightlifter