Surname Keymer - Meaning and Origin

Keymer: What does the surname Keymer mean?

The surname Keymer is an English or Anglo-Saxon name, which originated in Sussex in the south of England. The name is thought to derive from the Old English word 'cēam', meaning 'enclosure' or 'field', and 'ēg', meaning island or piece of low-lying elevated land. It is believed that this surname may have referred to a local landlord or landowner.

The Keymers are a prominent family in Sussex, having produced a number of politicians, clergymen, merchants, lawyers and military officers. The Keymers have held positions of prominence in England since the 12th century, when they are recorded as being local landowners in the area. Over the centuries, the Keymers have held significant positions of power in many areas, including law, politics, and commerce.

The Keymers have also held positions of influence in the Sussex area. In the 17th century, the Keymer family owned a large estate in the Wivelsfield area, and they often held positions as magistrates and supervisors of local elections.

The Keymers remain a prominent family in Britain today, and many members of the family have achieved positions of prominence in various fields. The Keymers have produced a number of Lords, High Sheriffs, MPs and business people, as well as many people known for their contributions to the arts and sciences. The Keymers have also been influential in the production of Sussex wines, for which the area has become famous.

To this day, the surname Keymer remains synonymous with traditional values, integrity and dedication, and is proudly carried on through the generations.

Keymer: Where does the name Keymer come from?

The last name Keymer is found primarily in Germany and the United Kingdom. In Germany, the name is particularly common in the north and in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Saxony. In the United Kingdom, the name is most prevalent in London and in the counties bordering London.

In Germany, the name may have originated in the name of a medieval peasant or landowner, similar to many other family names. The prefix ‘Key’ is a Germanic name and the suffix of ‘mer’ could have signified a location. In the United Kingdom, the name may have been brought over during the Norman Conquest or as part of the considerable German emigrations in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Keymer is also a very common name throughout the United States and Canada. The name is especially prevalent in the great plains states of Iowa, Nebraska, and Texas. In Iowa and Nebraska, it seems likely that the name was initially brought over by German immigrants settling in the area. The most probable explanation for the name in Texas has to do with the large influx of German immigrants that occurred around the mid-1800s.

In general, the name is not an especially rare one, according to the United States Census Bureau. However, the prevalence of the name does seem to be on the decline in recent decades. Still, Keymer remains one of the most common surnames in the countries and states mentioned above.

Variations of the surname Keymer

The surname Keymer has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

Keymer is the main spelling of the surname and is also known as Kaimer, Kaimers, Kaimerz or Kaimerzetz. It is thought to have its roots in the German language, and may be descended from the Middle High German name ‘keimer’, which translates to ‘ cooper’. The surname could also have been derived from the German place name ‘Kaimersheide’, meaning ‘road by the cooper’s house’.

In Europe, the Keymers of The Netherlands and West Russia spell their surname as ‘Keijmers’ or ‘Kemmers’, while in France, the name evolved to ‘Kemair’. In America, the surname Keysam is common as a derivative of Keymer.

Other variants of the surname include Kammer, Kammers, Keyman, Kähmer, Kaymer, Rosenberg, Steinberg, Thalmann and Weiher. It is also known to sometimes be mistaken for Clemens and Clement; these are separate surnames entirely.

The surname is not particularly common across the world, but can still be found in pockets across Europe, as well as in the United States and Australia.

Famous people with the name Keymer

• Jesse Keymer, former Major League Baseball pitcher
• Brendan Keymer, child actor
• Ava Keymer, teen actress
• Tracey Keymer, artist and potter
• Max Keymer, former professional hockey player and current executive for the San Jose Sharks
• Bill Keymer, former professional golfer
• Dean Keymer, professional motocross racer
• Alex Keymer, former professional basketball player
• Daniel Keymer, composer and multi-instrumentalist
• John Keymer, former professional tennis player

Other surnames

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