Surname Mittermaier - Meaning and Origin
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Mittermaier: What does the surname Mittermaier mean?
Mittermaier is a German surname which derives from the words Mittermayer, meaning "Middle Mayer", and is thought to have once referred to someone who held the title of 'Mayer', or the mayor of a settlement. This surname is most commonly found in the Bavarian region of Germany.
Mittermaier surname is believed to have been first used in the Middle Ages, likely by someone in a position of authority and power, such as a mayor or leader of a small community. The Mayer title was seen in many of the localities across Germany during that time, and likely referred to a representative of the local people.
Historically, the Mittermaier surname is thought to signify a person of wealth or status, since being chosen to be the mayor of a settlement was typically considered an honor and bestowed on those who were well-respected and influential. During the 1800s, those of the Mittermaier surname were often landowners who cultivated the land and were involved in farming and animal husbandry.
Today, although the Mittermaier surname is still common throughout Bavaria, it has also spread to other parts of Germany and beyond, and it is estimated that as of 2021, at least 7,000 people worldwide bear this ancient surname.
Order DNA origin analysisMittermaier: Where does the name Mittermaier come from?
The last name Mittermaier is typically found in German-speaking countries today, particularly in Germany. In the federal states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Hessen, it ranks among the top 1,000 last names, which means it is fairly common.
In Bavaria, the name stands at number 770, with an estimated 548 people having Mittermaier as their last name. In Baden-Württemberg, the name is ranked at number 884, with about 481 people having the name, and in Hessen, it falls at number 736, with 564 individuals registered.
In addition to Germany, the name also appears in regions that have historically been part of the German-speaking world. In Austria, the name is ranked at number 609, with about 265 Mittermaier families living there. This number is relatively low, indicating that it is a less common name in Austria. The same goes for Switzerland, where the name does appear among the top 1,000 most common names, yet its ranking is relatively lower compared to Germany.
Overall, the name Mittermaier is still quite common in Germany, and it is one of the most widespread last names across German-speaking countries.
Variations of the surname Mittermaier
Mittermaier is a German surname associated with people who come from Mittermaier or surrounding areas in Bavaria, Germany. The spelling of the name varies depending on language so it may be spelled in many different ways. In German, the surname can be spelled Mittermaier, Mittemaier, Mittemaher, Mittehermair, Mittermaire, Müttermair, and Mütermaier. In English, it may be spelled Mittermayer, Mittermayr, Mittermair or Matternmayer. In French, the corresponding name is Mittermaire.
Surnames from the same origin include Mettermair, Mettermayr, Mattemair, Mattemayr, Matermair, and Methermair. All of these names stem from the same ancestral heritage and likely refer to a common ancestor or geographic area.
Variants of Mittermaier exist in other European countries as well, such as Austria, where it can be spelled Mittemeyer or Mittemair, and Switzerland, where the variant is written as Mittemeur. People living in Spanish-speaking communities may spell the name Mittermayer or Mittemayor, while households in Italian-speaking areas spell the name Mittermaggi or Mittermaggiori.
The proliferation of Mittermaier surnames reflects the diversity of the populations in which this name has spread but also ties them together in a common heritage.
Famous people with the name Mittermaier
- Rosi Mittermaier: Rosi Mittermaier is a former World Cup alpine ski racer from Germany. She is the 1976 overall World Cup champion, a double Olympic champion from the 1976 Winter Olympics, and a 1973 World champion.
- Andi Mittermaier: Andi Mittermaier is a professional cyclist from Germany. He is best known for his several years spent riding professionally in the European peloton and for competing at the Spanish Vuelta in 2019.
- Monika Mittermaier: Monika Mittermaier is a German orchestral and opera conductor. She studied conducting at the Musikakademie in Basel, Basel, Switzerland, and has worked with various orchestras in Europe, including the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester in Berlin and the Orchestre de Lausanne.
- Michael Mittermaier: Michael Mittermaier is a former professional football defender. He spent most of his career playing for TSV 1860 Munich, where he played for eight years, and the German National Team.
- Harald Mittermaier: Harald Mittermaier is an Austrian entrepreneur and business owner. He is the founder of MYMANU, a Bluetooth earbuds company, and has several other investments in the tech space.
- Marlies Mittermaier: Marlies Mittermaier is a former World Cup alpine ski racer from Germany. She was a member of the Germany National Ski Team for twelve years and is the 2006 Overall World Cup champion.
- Carsten Mittermaier: Carsten Mittermaier is a German author and businessman. He has written several books on business and management and has served as an independent business consultant.
- Günther Mittermaier: Günther Mittermaier is a German musician and composer. He is known for his work with jazz groups in the 1970s, and for his electronic and classical music compositions.