Surname Nemeyer - Meaning and Origin
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Nemeyer: What does the surname Nemeyer mean?
Nemeyer is a surname of Germanic origin, derived from the Middle High German Nëmejer. This name originates in the region of Westphalia. It is derived from the root ‘Nëme’, which originates from the personal name Niemer, which was an ancient form of the name Niemeyer. This name was common amongst the nobility and aristocrats in the Middle Ages. Therefore, the associated name Nemeyer was associated with nobility or derived from it.
Nemeyer is associated with cultural heritage, honor and history. During the 12th-13th centuries, the name was closely associated with noble and aristocratic families in Westphalia. Later on, the name was found to have spread throughout Europe, usually brought by members of the nobility visiting other countries during their travels. The surname Nemeyer is associated with many historically important families as well, including the famous Prussian Prime Minister and Minister of War, Theodor von Nemeyer.
Today, the common variations of the Nemeyer surname include Neme, Nemeyer, Nemmey and Nemmers. These names are found mainly throughout Europe, especially in Germany, the Netherlands, in Scandinavia and the U.S. The meaning of the surname Nemeyer encapsulates the spirit of its ancient origins, of nobility, history and honor.
Order DNA origin analysisNemeyer: Where does the name Nemeyer come from?
The last name Nemeyer is most commonly found in Germany and the Netherlands today. It is of German origin and according to forebears.io, 6,752 people in Germany bore the name in 2020. Most of these are living in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, followed by Lower Saxony and Bavaria. In the Netherlands, the latest figures available were from 2021 and showed at least 1,204 people with the surname, mainly concentrated in the province of North Brabant.
The earliest known usage of the name was in the 15th century with a family record of one Johannes Nemeyer being registered in 1553 in Nordrhein-Westphalen. Over the last several centuries, many people with the surname Nemeyer emigrated from Germany and the Netherlands to various countries around the world, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, with some also settling in other parts of Europe.
The name Nemeyer is also found in parts of Latin America, most often in Brazil, where it might have been brought by Germans who immigrated there in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In 2020, forebears.io calculated that there were at least 2,794 people in Brazil bearing the name, most of them located in the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Rio de Janeiro.
No matter where it is found, the origin of the surname Nemeyer is usually traced back to Germany.
Variations of the surname Nemeyer
The surname Nemeyer has several variant spellings and other surnames of the same origin, including Neumeier, Nömeister, Nöhmeister, Nöhmeyer, Neumeister, Noemeyer, Neumayer, Noemayer, Neuemeyer, Neumeyster, Neumeijer, and Noemijer. It is a German and Dutch occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word “Nöhmister”, literally meaning “custodian teacher” or “teacher in charge of students.” This is an old term for a professor or schoolmaster.
The surname Neumeier is an old spelling of the same surname, originating from the German area of Bavaria. Its modern spelling is Nömeister, which is shared by other families in Germany and Austria. This variant is also found in the Netherlands, most likely because of the strong trade and communication links between the Netherlands and Germany.
The surname Nöhmeister is another variant of Nemeyer, derived from the Middle High German word “Nöhmeister”, similarly meaning “teacher in charge of students”. It is most likely used by families in northwestern Germany and the Netherlands.
The surname Noemeyer is the Dutch version of the same surname. It is derived from the German “Nömeister”, and is found mainly in the Netherlands. Other variants include Neumayer, Noemayer, Neuemeyer, Neumeyster, and Neumeijer.
The surname Noemijer is also derived from the same German word, but is used mainly by families in the Netherlands. It can also be spelled “Noemeyer”.
In conclusion, the surname Nemeyer has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including Neumeier, Nöhmeister, Noemeyer, Neumayer, Noemayer, Neuemeyer, Neumeyster, Neumeijer, and Noemijer. These variations came about through evolving regional dialects and language change over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Nemeyer
- Alfredo Nemeyer: Mexican actor.
- Bernhard Nemeyer: German professor of Human Movement Science in the Department of Sports Science at the University of Hamburg.
- Deborah Nemeyer: American film and documentary director.
- Heinz Nemeyer: Swiss architect, best known for his works on the modernist architectural movement.
- Ingeborg Nemeyer: German journalist, television presenter, and author.
- John Nemeyer: American landscape painter.
- Julian Nemeyer: French composer and conductor.
- Marlyse Nemeyer: Swiss singer-songwriter and actress.
- Reinhard Nemeyer: Former German politician and Member of the Bundestag.
- Siegfried Nemeyer: German sculptor, graphic artist, and writer.