Surname Kirmayer - Meaning and Origin

Kirmayer: What does the surname Kirmayer mean?

The last name Kirmayer is of Ashkenazic Jewish origin, derived from the Hebrew "Keren Mayer", meaning "horns of the moon". The surname is likely derived from the Jewish festival known as the Festival of the Horns of the Moon.

The Festival of the Horns of the Moon is a Jewish celebration which commemorates the renewal of the new moon, or Rosh Chodesh. On this day, the sun and moon come together to reflect light around the world, symbolizing a new beginning and renewal. The horns of the moon are traditionally associated with the horn of a ram or even the wings of an angel, indicating a heavenly power and divine protection throughout the coming month.

In the Ashkenazic Jewish culture, this event is especially celebrated with singing, dancing, and feasting, while wishing the current month to be filled with joy, prosperity, and peace. This is the likely origin behind the last name Kirmayer- which celebrates this special renewal and connection to divine power.

The modern day Kirmayer surname is found in many cultures, but is especially prevalent amongst Jewish families. While the original written meaning may no longer be widely known, it is sure to have been passed down through many generations and still celebrated with the same joy and enthusiasm today.

Kirmayer: Where does the name Kirmayer come from?

The last name Kirmayer is fairly uncommon today, appearing in the United States mainly in the northeastern states including New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. It is also present throughout Canada; the highest concentration seen in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. While Kirmayer may have started in a Jewish or Germanic background, the last name has dispersed throughout much of North America and is not limited to one cultural background today.

Kirmayer can be traced back to pre-Medieval times in Germany. Spelling variations of the name include Kermayer, Karmayer, Karmair, Kermair, Kirchmayer, and Kirmaier, among others. During this time, Kirmayer may have referred to a family with a place of residence near a church or chapel.

In the United States, the surname Kirmayer first appeared in the state of Pennsylvania in the mid 1800s. Today, the Kirmayer family name continues to spread throughout the country but at a slower pace than in the past. Genealogy websites often list Kirmayer as being of German heritage, with many tracing the background of the name back to the Palatinate region of Germany.

In spite of its continuously low profile, the Kirmayer family name continues to be used today from North America to Europe and beyond. Given the rarity of the surname, those with the last name are likely distant relatives and may possess information dating back hundreds of years.

Variations of the surname Kirmayer

The surname Kirmayer is an uncommon name that is most frequently found in Germany. It is also known by various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variants include Kirmeyer, Kïrmeyer, Kirmyer, Kïrmyer, Kirsmayr, Kïrsmayer, Kirmmayer, Kïrmmayer, Kirmmyer, Kïrmmyer, Kirmmmayer, Kïrmmmayer, Kirmmmyer, Kïrmmmyer, Kermeyer, Kèrmeyer, Kermyer, Kèrmyer, Kersmayr, Kèrsmayer, Kermayer, Kèrmayer, Kermmayer, Kèrmmayer, Kermyer, Kèrmyer, Kermmmyer, Kèrmmmyer, and Kirmmaier.

In addition to the German variations, the Kirmayer surname has been found in other European countries and may be spelled Kirmejer or Kërmejer in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kirmeyor in Kazakhstan. In the United States, the name is often rendered as Kernmeyer.

The Kirmayer family history stretches back to the medieval period when individuals of this last name inhabited the Brandenburg regions of Prussia. During this period, many families moved from town to town, sometimes changing the spelling of their surname along the way. The Kirmayer coat of arms originally featured a red and white checkered diamond pattern and a carriage wheel, symbolizing industry, honor, and justice.

Today, people named Kirmayer, Kirmeyer, Kïrmeyer, and any of the variants of this name are believed to descend from a common ancestor who inhabited the area that is now Brandenburg and Prussia. The popularity of the surname is likely to continue to spread throughout Europe and the world.

Famous people with the name Kirmayer

• Dr. Laurence J. Kirmayer: Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at McGill University who specializes in the study of culture, mental health and medical anthropology.
• Thomas Kirmayer: A Canadian-born business executive who served as Chief Executive Officer at Shaw Communications Inc. and later at Koosh Technology Inc.
• Alex Kirmayer: Filmmaker, coach, and social entrepreneur whose works center around celebrating and renewing the spirit, strength, and promise of Indigenous peoples.
• Ray Kirmayer: Psychotherapist, professor, and author of several books and scholarly articles on health and mental health among Indigenous peoples.
• Michael Kirmayer: Professional musician and composer who has released multiple albums and composed for films, stage productions, television, and radio.
• Melody Kirmayer: Chilean-born Canadian singer-songwriter who creates soulful pop-folk music in both English and Spanish.
• Kortney Kirmayer: Vancouver-based artist renowned for their photographs which explore themes related to gender, space, travel, and identity.
• Jeremy Kirmayer: Canadian recording artist, spoken-word poet, and spoken-work educator working on projects related to urban diversity, social justice, and sustainability.
• Anjula Kirmayer: Award-winning Canadian screenwriter, playwright, art curator, and filmmaker whose works focus on bridging past and present stories.
• Gill Kirmayer: Australian documentary photographer and co-founder of the collective The Footprint Project, who’s dedicated to crafting and telling stories from remote places.

Other surnames

Kirmayr