Surname Niedermaier - Meaning and Origin
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Niedermaier: What does the surname Niedermaier mean?
The last name Niedermaier is of German origin, and has variations in spelling such as Niedermayer or Niedermeyer. It can be translated to mean "lower meadow". This German surname likely referred to a physical place, likely a meadow or similar plot of land, located lower in the landscape than other meadows.
The last name Niedermaier is derived from the Middle High German phrase 'nidermeier', which is a combination of the words nider (below) and meier (meadow). It is thought to have been used during the feudal period to denote a lower-lying meadow or plot of land; the implication being that the area was lower and/or less desirable than other meadows in the area.
The Niedermaier surname usually indicates the Germanic root of the family, which is highly represented in the areas historically known as Germanic, such as the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, and parts of Northeastern France.
Today, the Niedermaier name is most likely represented at a family level, rather than a place. Families with this surname are active in many different fields: business, entertainment, sports, and more. It is likely that many people, with this surname, have spread out around the world from their German origin, creating networks and families throughout Europe, the Americas, and Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisNiedermaier: Where does the name Niedermaier come from?
The last name Niedermaier is most common today in Germany and Austria. It is an ancient German last name, derived from the word "Nieder" which is the pre-1450 spelling of "Niedermaier," meaning low or lower. This last name can be found across much of Europe and is especially concentrated in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, more than 15,000 people currently hold this surname, with the highest concentrations being in the states of Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia. In neighbouring Austria, there is a similar concentration of people with this last name, primarily in the states of Upper Austria and Lower Austria. The surname is relatively common in Switzerland, where it is found mainly in the canton of Graubünden.
Outside of Europe, the name can also be found in the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Australia, primarily among descendants of German-speaking immigrants. In the United States, the highest concentrations of people with this last name can be found in Pennsylvania, New York, and California. Although it is far less common, the surname can also be found in India and other parts of Asia, as the result of German traders and settlers moving to new areas.
Overall, the last name Niedermaier is most common today in Germany and parts of neighbouring Europe, although it is still found in many other parts of the world. It is an ancient name that is steeped in German culture, and reflects the movements of German-speaking people over the centuries.
Variations of the surname Niedermaier
Niedermaier is a surname of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘maier’, meaning ‘mayor’ or ‘supervisor’. The prefix ‘Nieder’ simply means ‘lower’ or ‘inferior’, so this surname literally translates to ‘the lower mayor’.
Niedermaier can be spelled and pronounced in many different ways, depending on the regional dialect of the speaker. Variants of this surname include Mayor, Mayorin, Mayr, Maier, Meier, Mayer, Meyer, Myer, Niedermaier, Niedermeyer, Nietermaier, Noyer, Obermaier, Obermeyer, and Overmeyer.
Some other surnames of the same origin as Niedermaier include Oberle, Oberlin, Oberlach, Oberlander, Oberleitner, Oberholzer, Nordmayer, Nordmeyer, and Neidermeier.
One lesser-known variant of the Niedermaier surname is Noermaier. This variant is derived from the Low German word ‘nōr’, which can also mean ‘lower’.
Although Niedermaier is an uncommon surname, variants of it are still used worldwide. It is most commonly found in Central Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria. It is also present in the United States, particularly in states with high German American populations.
Famous people with the name Niedermaier
- Lara Niedermaier: an American gymnast who competed in the NCAA for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- John Niedermaier: an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers
- Ina Niedermaier: German artistic gymnast who represented Germany in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics
- Nina Niedermaier: American mixed martial artist who has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
- Alexander Niedermaier: an American photographer and film director based in Los Angeles, California
- Melina Niedermaier: a German actress, known for the films "Schachmatt", "Die Wiese", and "Frauen im Kino"
- Tanja Niedermaier: a German Paralympic swimmer and handcycling pilot
- Mark Niedermaier: an American film and television composer, best known for his work on the show "American Gods"
- Hans Niedermaier: a Swiss photographer who specializes in black-and-white street photography
- Daniel Niedermaier: a German-American basketball player who played in the German Bundesliga and NCAA Division II