Surname Kohlmayr - Meaning and Origin
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Kohlmayr: What does the surname Kohlmayr mean?
The surname Kohlmayr is a German surname meaning “coal merchant”. It is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages when coal was a major energy source and goods were transported by horse and cart. During this time, coal merchants would have been essential for the local economy.
Today, Kohlmayr is a fairly uncommon German name. It is believed to have originated in what is now the Czech Republic, but it is still found in Germany and Austria. It is also documented in the US, Canada, and Australia.
Kohlmayr is often spelled differently depending on the country of origin, with variants including Kohlmeyer, Kollmeyer, Kollmayr, and Kollmayer. Each of these versions likely have their own unique origins and meanings.
Overall, the surname Kohlmayr likely has its roots in the everyday working life of merchants during the Middle Ages. Its literal meaning of "coal merchant" accurately reflects those merchants back in the past, and has left us with a surname that continues to pass down generation to generation.
Order DNA origin analysisKohlmayr: Where does the name Kohlmayr come from?
The last name Kohlmayr is most common today in the German-speaking countries of Europe, particularly in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The name Kohlmayr can be traced back to medieval Germany, and it is believed to be a combination of two words – “kol” (a type of cabbage) and “meir” (a short form of the German name for mayor). The name was likely given to or adopted by people living in towns where the occupation of mayor was especially prestigious or important. It is also possible that the name Kohlmayr could have originated as a nickname or occupational name for someone who harvested cabbage crops in the local area.
The most densely populated area with the last name Kohlmayr today is Germany. In Germany, people bearing the last name originate mostly from the states of Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemberg, and North Rhine-Westphalia. This is likely due to the fact that the region was once the stomping grounds of the medieval German nobility and kings, leading to a higher population of subjects bearing the last name.
The name is also found in its highest concentrations in other parts of Europe, like in Austria, Switzerland, and Netherlands, as well as in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This suggests that the name has spread to many other locations across the world due to waves of emigration from Europe centuries ago.
Given its roots in medieval Germany, it is likely that the last name Kohlmayr will continue to spread in the coming years due to the global population increase, the increased migration of people, and the internet and social media connecting people all around the world.
Variations of the surname Kohlmayr
The surname Kohlmayr is of German origin. In German, Kohlmayr is spelled correctly as Köhlmaier, Köhlmeyer, Köhlmayer, Köhlmayr, Köhlmeier, Köhlmeyer, Köhlmeyer, Kohlmaier, Kohlmayer, Kohlmeir, Kohlmeyer, Kohlmüller and Kohlmayr.
Variants of the surname are Collmeyer, Kollmeyer, and Kohlmyer, while different spellings of the surname include Kölmeyer, Collmair, Koehlmair, Köhlmaier, Kolmayer, Kollmaier, Kölmair, Kölmeier, Kohlmaire, Köhlmeier and Köhlmair. Some more surnames of the same origin include Kohlmeier, Kohlmayr, Köhlmeir, Köhlmyer, Kölmeier, Kölmayer, Kömmer, Kömmerer, Kömmler and Kulmayer.
Kohmayr, Kolmair, Köhlmaire, Köhlmair, Kolmayer, Kohlmer, Köhlmüller and Kohlmair are other variants of the same surname. The variant Kölmeal and the hybrid surname "Kohlmeal" can also be derived from this surname.
The meaning of the word "Kohl" or "Köhl" is cabbage in German, so most likely Kohlmayr is derived from the occupation of growing and selling cabbage.
Famous people with the name Kohlmayr
- Ignaz Kohlmayr: Austrian renowned landscape gardener.
- Dusan Kohlmayr: Slovakian scholar and educator, known for his works in the area of reconciliation and spirituality.
- Chris Kohlmayr: American guideliner and professional backcountry skier, featured in several ski-related films.
- Max Kohlmayr: German architect and urban planner who worked in Munich in the 1920s.
- Caroline Kohlmayr: Austrian composer best known for her works for chamber orchestra and other ensembles.
- Edgar Kohlmayr: Austrian playwright and author of several plays and musicals.
- Helga Kohlmayr: German-British art historian and curator who specializes in European art from the 19th century.
- Julian Kohlmayr: Austrian actor and director best known for staging performances of classic and contemporary plays.
- Elisabeth Kohlmayr: Austrian sculptor who worked with a variety of different mediums, including bronze, wood, clay and stone.
- Anneliese Kohlmayr: Austrian opera singer and soprano highly acclaimed for her expressive, aesthetic and dramatic interpretations of opera roles.