Surname Kirchmeier - Meaning and Origin
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Kirchmeier: What does the surname Kirchmeier mean?
Kirchmeier is a German surname derived from the High German words for “church” (Kirche) and “master” (Meister). This surname likely reflects the occupation of the original bearer, as it was common in medieval times for a person with the title of Meister to work in or near a church. The surname Kirchmeier could refer to the leader of a monastery or a priest, or it could refer to someone who was responsible for buildings or overseeing a church estate.
The name could also refer to a family’s place of origin in a particular parish or village, indicating that they were an established family in a particular locality. It is possible that the original bearer of this surname was of noble origin and held responsible positions in relation to the church, in either a professional or administrative capacity.
The name Kirchmeier is found mainly in Germany and Austria, with smaller numbers found in Switzerland, the United States, Canada, and other countries. Throughout the centuries, many churches and monasteries has been built and maintained by the people who bore this surname. The Kirchmeier name still carries an air of nobility and tradition among its bearers today.
Order DNA origin analysisKirchmeier: Where does the name Kirchmeier come from?
The last name Kirchmeier is most commonly found today in Germany and Austria. In Germany, the name originates from Bavaria, a region in the South of the country. Records show that the Kirchmeier family was already living in Bavaria in the late 16th century. The name Kirchmeier is derived from the old German language, referring to a person who was responsible for taking care of the church or chapel in his or her village.
Due to German migration over the centuries, the name Kirchmeier is also found in many countries in Central Europe. In the United States, for example, the name is found in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Kansas, Oregon and many other states where German immigrants settled in the late 19th century. In most cases, the Kirchmeier family tree in these countries has its roots in Bavaria or Austria.
Today, there are still many Kirchmeiers living in Austria and Germany, although the spelling of the name may have changed over the years. Some have adopted variations, such as Kehrmeier or Kircmeier. While the Kirchmeier name is much more rare in other parts of the world, a quick online search can reveal numerous Kirchmeiers living in the United States, Canada, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Kirchmeier
The surname ‘Kirchmeier’ is a German name that originates from the Middle High German phrase, ‘Kirche Mair’, which literally translates to ‘church mayor’. It is generally found among people with Germanic ancestry. Variants of the name and other spellings include Kirchenmeier, Kirchmaier, Kirchemeyer, Churchmayr, Kirchenmair, Kirchmair, and Kirchmayer.
Kirchmeier appears to be the most common among the various spellings and variants of the name; however, all of the variants are interchangeable and they mean the same thing. They are usually spelled differently depending on the area of Germany where they originated from.
The variants of the surname Kirchmeier all originated as occupational names for mayors or magistrates of local churches in the past, making the name versatile and still widely used today. The original bearer of the surname often held official positions within the church, such as sexton or verger.
Surnames of similar origin, but different spellings, are also seen among people of Germanic descent, such as Kerchermer, Kerkmeer, Kirchmeir, Kirchemier, Kirchemair, Kirchmeier, Kerchmeier, Kirchemaer, Kirchemaar, Kirchemeier, and Kirchemer. All of these surnames mean the same thing and all originate from the Middle High German phrase, ‘Kirche Mair’, which can be translated as ‘church mayor’.
The multiple variants of the name serve to illustrate the historic diversity of people of Germanic origin. These variants often appear in areas where German influence is still felt today, such as Austria, South Tyrol, and the United States. The interesting roots of the name Kirchmeier and its variants make it a great way for people to honor and celebrate their ancestry.
Famous people with the name Kirchmeier
- Ludwig Kirchmeier (1838-1848) was a German architect and an influential leader in Art Nouveau architecture.
- August Kirchmeier (1837-1908) was a German physicist and astronomer who made important contributions to the field of optics.
- Heinrich Kirchmeier (1855-1932) was an Austrian-born German dramatist and theatre director.
- Carl Kirchmeier (1875-1943) was an American film actor and director who worked mainly in silent films.
- Alan Kirchmeier (1921-2004) was an American commercial illustrator and graphic artist.
- Erich Kirchmeier (1932-2010) was a German organist and harpsichordist.
- Andre Kirchmeier (1958-2005) was a German-born American sculptor and landscape architect.
- Janelle Kirchmeier (1960-present) is an American author and columnist who writes about personal finance and investing.
- Bruce Kirchmeier (1964-present) is an American politician who is the current mayor of Fort Worth, Texas.
- Priscilla Kirchmeier (1972-present) is a German visual artist who works mainly with photography and installations.