Surname Kirchmayr - Meaning and Origin
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Kirchmayr: What does the surname Kirchmayr mean?
The last name Kirchmayr is of German origin and is derived from the Old High German word 'kirihhamar' which means chapel master. This occupational surname was initially given to either a steward of the chapel or the keeper of the keys of a certain chapel. The surname can also be found connected with a prominent family of Austrian nobility, the family of Kirchmayr von Hammersbrunn.
This surname is most common in Germany and throughout the German-speaking world, including Austria, Switzerland, Poland, and Czechoslovakia. Since the end of the 18th century, the family's surname has also been found in the United States, mainly associated with immigrants from Germany and Austria.
The surname is unique because it is very rare and distinguishable. It is easy to recognize in documents because of its few letter combination and evident origin. Additionally, the surname is associated with prominent Austrian nobility, making it a well-known and respected family name.
The surname Kirchmayr represents an important familial legacy that has been passed down to descendants for generations, preserving a distinct and esteemed family history.
Order DNA origin analysisKirchmayr: Where does the name Kirchmayr come from?
The surname Kirchmayr is commonly found in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic today. It is likely derived from the Old German words "kirche" and "meyer," which translate to "church official." Thus, the surname could refer to someone who was initially employed in or associated with a church. It may also refer to a person living near a church or someone who owned a farm near a church.
The German-speaking Swiss may have carried the surname to Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. Similarly, it may have spread from the German and Austrian region to other parts of Europe, including Scandinavia.
In the United States, people of German descent are estimated to comprise the largest ethnic group, and many have adopted the surname Kirchmayr. The largest concentration is located in Texas, but it is not uncommon to find people with the surname in other parts of the United States, such as California and New York, as well as other countries in North America, such as Canada.
Furthermore, in many U.S. census records, some versions of Kirchmayr are more common than others, with the most prominent being Kerchmar, Kirschmeier, Kircher, and Kirchmer. These variants may be attributed to various immigrant groups, such as Swiss Germans, Austrians, and Czechs, who altered the spelling while preserving the original pronunciation.
Regardless of its origins, the surname Kirchmayr has been common all over the world for centuries and continues to live on in many households today.
Variations of the surname Kirchmayr
Kirchmayr, pronounced Kərch-MAY-er, is a German surname of Romani origin. It is derived from the words ‘kumen’ meaning ‘to come’ and ‘mai’ meaning ‘May’. It is likely that the name refers to someone who came in May or is associated with someone who arrived in May.
Other variants and spellings of the Kirchmayr surname include Kirchmaier, Kirchmayer, Kirchmair, Kirchnair, Kircher, Kirchner, Kercher, and Kirchneir. It is also common to find other surnames with the same origin including Kirchemayr, Kirchheiner, Kirchheiner, Kircheiner, and Kirlheiner.
Kirchmayr, and its variants, can be found in both German and Romani communities. The surname is particularly common in the region of Bavaria in southern Germany, though it is also found in the western parts of Germany as well. It is also common in Austria and other parts of central Europe.
The variants of Kirchmayr are often used interchangeably, though in some cases, the spelling of a name may be slightly altered or an extra letter may be used to distinguish it from others. For example, the spelling Kirchemayr is a combination of the variants Kirchmaier and Kirchmayer.
It is also important to note that the surnames Kirchmayr, Kirchmayer and Kircheiner have a similar origin but are distinct from each other and have different characteristic spellings. Thus, it is important to use the correct spelling and pronunciation for the name in order to ensure accuracy.
Famous people with the name Kirchmayr
- Hans Kirchmayr: a former German figure skater who competed in men’s singles. He is best known for becoming the world silver medalist in 1949 and a two-time European bronze medalist during the 1940s.
- Irene Kirchmayr: a former Austrian figure skater who competed in ladies’ singles. She is best known for becoming the world champion in 1938, and for placing 11th at the 1936 Winter Olympics.
- Heinz Kirchmayr: a former Austrian football player who appeared in seven matches for the Austria national football team from 1948-1952.
- Edward Kirchmayr: an American film and television actor, known for his roles in ‘My Name is Earl’, ‘Friends with Benefits’, and ‘Struck by Lightning’.
- Heidi Kirchmayr-Sprenger: an Austrian author, speaker, and creative entrepreneur who has authored two books and speaks internationally on multiple topics.
- Gerald Kirchmayr: an Austrian cinematographer who was the director of photography for films such as ‘The Wave’, ‘Hoc Signo Vinces’ and ‘The Last of the Unjust’.
- Leopold Kirchmayr: an Austrian classical music composer and pianist who composed many piano concertos, quartets, and theatrical impromptu works in the second half of the 19th century.
- Robert Kirchmayr: a German-Austrian pianist and composer of classical music who was known for his piano concertos, chamber music, and occasional operas.
- Johann Kirchmayr: an Austrian organist and composer of the late 18th century and the early 19th century who was best known for his works for church services and several cantatas.
- Bernhard Kirchmayr: an Austrian professional footballer who played for various teams in the Austrian Football Bundesliga, most notably SV Ried and LASK Linz.