Surname Mittlmeier - Meaning and Origin

Mittlmeier: What does the surname Mittlmeier mean?

The last name Mittlmeier is a German surname, which means “middling {or middle) meadow”. The name likely originated as a geographical nickname or locational name for someone who lived in the middle of a meadow, or in an area that was called Mittlmeier.

The use of last names as surname often began in the middle-ages, largely because of the influx of population and a need for more precise identification of individuals. Before then, most people only had a single name. The last name Mittlmeier was first recorded in the 13th century, a time when the development of towns and the introduction of guilds encouraged the people of Germany to adopt hereditary surnames.

With the growth of the population and the freedom of movement, it’s likely that the name Mittlmeier spread over several countries and may be found in some parts today. People with this surname are spread across Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and other parts of Europe.

The Mittlmeier family have had a strong presence in Germany for many centuries. This is evidenced by the numerous references to this name found in church and local archives as well as in monuments. It appears that the name was also fairly common in Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands. It could be assumed that in the past the name was scattered along the various wayside inns.

The last name Mittlmeier has a noble history and today it is widely respected. There are many famous people who share this surname. These include American politician Bill Mittlmeier, Austrian physicist Wolfgang Mittlmeier, and German trade unionist Andreas Mittlmeier.

Mittlmeier: Where does the name Mittlmeier come from?

The last name Mittlmeier is most commonly found in Germany. This is a German surname derived from the personal name "Mittelmeier", which was formed from the Middle High German "mittel" meaning "middle" and "meier" meaning "farmer". The earliest records of this surname date back to the 16th century in Bavaria. The frequency of this name has gradually declined since then, with the last name having become increasingly rare in modern times.

Today, the last name Mittlmeier is very rare in Germany and most likely extinct in some areas. This is especially true of the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, where the name has nearly disappeared. It is still found in parts of North Rhine-Westphalia, but much less frequently than it was several decades ago. Small numbers of people with this surname also live in Austria and Switzerland.

Elsewhere in Europe, the last name is rare or completely absent. In the United States, Mittlmeier is practically nonexistent, with only a few individuals carrying the name. Worldwide, the last name is likely to be quite uncommon as the frequency of the name has significantly decreased in recent years.

Variations of the surname Mittlmeier

Mittlmeier is a German surname meaning “middle meadow”. The variants of this surname include Mittelmayer, Mittelmeyer, and Mittlemeyer.

The spelling variations may sometimes appear with an umlaut as in the case of Mittelmayer, which could be spelled Mittelmäyer, or with an ‘e’ rather than an ‘a’ such as Mittelmeyer.

The origin of the Mittlmeier surname is rooted in German pre-19th century history, most likely derived from an ancestral location called “the Middle Meadow.” Its first recorded spelling was found in ancient records in 14th century Bavaria where records for one Johann Mathaus Mittelmeyer were made in 1386.

The surname Mittelmayer, an often interchangeable variant of Mittlmeier, is thought to originate from a specific location in Bavaria called Middlemayer. Many families during the time stemmed from well-established settlements or prominent marshal families.

Surnames that were derived from proper nouns, often indicated the family’s place of origin. Thus, the Mittelmeyer surname became associated directly with the Middlemayer location when families in that area cycled through the generations and established themselves from the region.

The alternate surnames Mittlemeyer and Mittelmeyer are generally smaller, more regionalized surnames distributed throughout Germany. These variants have fewer recorded instances in comparison to Mittlmeier, but nevertheless are known outside of Bavaria's said region.

In terms of descendants, the Mittlmeier surname remains a common one throughout Germany and is also found among German emigres and descendants abroad.

Famous people with the name Mittlmeier

• Gustav Mittelmeier: Former German professional football player.
• David Mittelmeier: German professional football referee.
• Siegfried Mittelmeier: German composer active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Winfried Mittelmeier: German immunologist.
• Matthias Mittelmeier: German journalist and author.
• Erwin Mittelmeier: German civil rights activist.
• Thomas Mittelmeier: German television journalist.
• Christine Mittelmeier: German film and television actress.
• Trent Mittelmeier: American professional golfer.
• Thomas Mittelmeier: German historian and author.

Other surnames

Mittlmeyer