Surname Nestmeyer - Meaning and Origin
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Nestmeyer: What does the surname Nestmeyer mean?
The surname Nestmeyer is derived from the Old High German name Nestmeyer. The meaning of the name is "nest maker" which derives from the words "nest" and "meyer". The last name is related to the occupational name of a person who would make nests for birds or animals, which could have been for a purpose like catching them to sell for food or fur, or for more benevolent purposes like conserving the wildlife or keeping away pests from fields and crops.
In Germany, Nestmeyer is a fairly common surname. It is found in many regions across the country and is associated with a large variety of towns. As with other German surnames, the name has spread to other countries as well, mainly due to emigration in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Nestmeyer is an interesting name as it carries a specific meaning which is deeply rooted in the history of the surname. It indicates that the name was related to an occupation in the past, rather than a place of origin, which is not usually the case of modern surnames. It gives insight to the daily life of the past and how people used to make their living.
Order DNA origin analysisNestmeyer: Where does the name Nestmeyer come from?
The surname Nestmeyer is commonly found throughout Germany today, as it is a German last name. In the year 2000, records show that Nestmeyer was the 1,835th most-popular surname in Germany. It can also be found in Switzerland, as well as other parts of Europe and the United States.
In the United States, the Nestmeyer surname can be found in all fifty states, with the highest concentrations being in the midwest region. This includes states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota and North Dakota. Furthermore, the Nestmeyer surname can be found in places like France, Denmark, Austria, and Brazil.
Considering its full geographical spread, it is believed that the descendants of the original Nestmeyer family originated from Germany and then spread to the surrounding countries.
Additionally, the modern spelling of the surname is slightly different than the original spelling which was “Nestmayer” or “Nestmeyer.” Although the spelling has changed over the years, the original pronunciation has remained the same.
Overall, the Nestmeyer surname is alive and well today and can be found all around the globe.
Variations of the surname Nestmeyer
Nestmeyer is a surname of German origin, and its variants and spellings include Nestmeijer, Nestmaier, Nestmeier, Nestmeier, Nestmeir, Nestmeyer, Nestmayr, Niestmaier, and Niestmeyer.
The original spelling and form of the name was Nestmeyern, however, as migratory patterns spread throughout Europe, the spelling was eventually adapted to fit a variety of converging dialects. In German, the prefix “Nest” is derived from an Old High German word meaning “nest” or “home”, with the suffix “meir” or “maier” also derived from Old High German, meaning “meir” or “mayor” respectively. Thus, it’s purported to have originally been a occupational designation for a caretaker or mayor who watched over a particular community’s nest or home.
Variants of this surname can be found in both Germany and the Netherlands, with many families having immigrated to the United States and Canada in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After settling abroad, some individuals have since anglicized their name further, replacing the “Nestmeir” with an “ee”, and thus the spelling Nestmeyer came to be.
Nestmeyer is not related to any other surnames though there are a few names that are phonetically similar that may be found in other countries. Names such as Nassmey or Nassmeyer in Luxembourg, or Neumann or Neumayer in Austria. However, these names are not related to Nestmeyer and have entirely different origins and meanings.
Famous people with the name Nestmeyer
- Hermann Nestmeyer: German parliament member in the 1950s.
- François Nestmeyer: French industrialist and owner of a textile company in the late 19th century.
- Andrew Nestmeyer: American pitcher for the Atlanta Braves from 2008 to 2013.
- Roberto Nestmeyer: Brazilian-born defensive back who played for the Oakland Raiders in 1997.
- Reiner Nestmeyer: German historian who wrote extensively about World War II.
- Christian Nestmeyer: German film director best known for his 2008 movie, clear Skies.
- Greg Nestmeyer: American football coach at the University of Oregon from 1992 to 1998.
- Andreas Nestmeyer: Austrian cyclist who won the gold medal in the road race at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
- Carsten Nestmeyer: German curler who represented his country at the 2005 World Championships.
- Maria Nestmeyer: German artist and designer specializing in ceramic sculptures.