Surname Kirchmeir - Meaning and Origin
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Kirchmeir: What does the surname Kirchmeir mean?
The last name Kirchmeir is of German origin and is derived from a combination of the German words ‘Kirche’ which means ‘church’ or ‘parish’, and ‘Meier’ which is a variation of ‘Mayor’ or ‘Lord’. Therefore, an approximate translation of the last name ‘Kirchmeir’ would be ‘Church Lord’.
The origins of the last name point to a significant association to the church. It is possible that the original bearer of the name was a particularly skilled bureaucrat or a leader in the parish. Alternatively, the bearer of the name may have held a hereditary position of power in the church, or within the parish itself.
The last name is still quite common in Germany, and there are many families who trace their ancestry to this surname. The use of the word ‘Kirchmeir’ is now mainly linked to formal titles and roles within church or state structures. To this day, it is used to refer to a person who is a member of the church council, or a member of local government with responsibility for the religious and spiritual welfare of citizens. It can also refer to a particular office or position of responsibility within the church hierarchy.
Order DNA origin analysisKirchmeir: Where does the name Kirchmeir come from?
The last name Kirchmeir is a German surname that was typically given to families that resided near a church. It can be found most prominently in Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein. It can also be found in smaller numbers across Europe, including Switzerland, France, and Poland.
In the United States, the last name Kirchmeir is much less common. It is particularly concentrated in the Midwest, where it was brought over by German-speaking immigrants in the 19th century. It can also be found in California, Wisconsin, Texas, and New York.
In Canada, the Kirchmeir surname is most common in Ontario, particularly in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, which was once known as Berlin, Canada. It is also found in British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
The Kirchmeir name appears in the records of numerous German-speaking places around Europe, hinting at a long and interconnected history that stretches back centuries. Its presence in North America is a recent phenomenon, and its continued existence is a testament to the diaspora of people settled by German-speaking immigrants.
Variations of the surname Kirchmeir
The surname Kirchmeir has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Its common spelling is Kirchmeier, and the name can also be found written as Kirchmeyer, Kirchemeier, and Kirchmaier.
Kirchmeir is one of several Germanic patronyms, typically formed by the addition of the particle “meir,” meaning “grandchild/descendant/offspring." Other names in this group, such as Ahlmeir, Allmeir, and Almeir, are all derived from medieval personal names.
The Kirchmeir spelling can sometimes be used in combination with other words to form longer surnames, such as Kirchmeirmarke, Kirchmeirche, Kirchmeirzahl and Kirchmeirzendorf.
In addition to its variants, the Kirchmeir surname has several interchangeable surnames and regional variations. The surname Kehrmeyer (or Kermeyer) is widely used throughout Germany and is believed to be derived from Kirchmeir. Bührmeister is another derivative of Kirchmeir, and is primarily found in Austria. Other surnames derived from Kirchmeir include: Birchemier, Kirchmaier, Kirchmaurer, Kerkmeir, and Kerkmeier.
Finally, surnames such as Kirmse, Kerbs, Kircheis, Kircher, Krieger, Kümmel, and Krebs are occasionally found as alternate spellings of Kirchmeir. Although these names may not have originated from the same root as Kirchmeir, their spellings can be confusingly similar.
Famous people with the name Kirchmeir
- Fiona Kirchmeir: Canadian singer-songwriter from Calgary focusing on traditional sounds and songs.
- Gavin Kirchmeir: American drummer based out of Nashville who has opened for acts such as Chris Stapleton, Margo Price, and Lee Ann Womack.
- John Kirchmeir: Notable Austrian self-defense coach and self-proclaimed martial arts grandmaster from Vienna.
- Josef Kirchmeir: Late Austrian-American heavyweight boxer who fought in the 1930s.
- Karl Kirchmeir: German politician who was a member of the Bavarian State Parliament in the 1920s.
- Michel Kirchmeir: French-born Swiss professional alpine skier who competed in the 1964 Winter Olympics.
- Friedrich Kirchmeir: Austrian settler who founded Kirchmeir Village in Canada in the early 1900s.
- Gunnar Kirchmeir: Canadian mathematician and computer scientist who served as professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland.
- Stephen Kirchmeir: Australian rugby league player who formed part of the Wests Magpies side during the 1980s.
- John Kirchmeir Jr.: Son of Austrian settler John Kirchmeir, who served as the mayor of Kirchmeir Village for many years.