Surname Schmidmayr - Meaning and Origin
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Schmidmayr: What does the surname Schmidmayr mean?
The last name Schmidmayr is a German surname and has roots in some Swiss dialects. It is most frequently found in the German-speaking area, particularly in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
The name can be divided into two parts – “Schmid” and “Mayr.” The word “Schmid” likely derives from the Middle High German word “schmidt” or “smit” which was used in the Middle Ages to refer to a blacksmith or metalworker. The word “mayr” likely originated from the Middle High German word “mair” which was used as a name for a supervisor or mayor in many towns. Thus, taken together, the name Schmidmayr could indicate a metalworker or blacksmith who was also a mayor or supervisor.
In the Bavarian-speaking regions of southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the name “Schmidmayr” has been used for centuries to refer to families who worked in the mining industry or who were blacksmiths and metalworkers. It is sometimes also used as a nickname for someone who has those professions. The name may also be used as an occupational surname for people involved in the municipal or legal professions in certain regions.
Thus, the surname Schmidmayr has a long history and is associated with professions including blacksmiths, metalworkers, miners, mayors, and municipal or legal adults in certain parts of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmidmayr: Where does the name Schmidmayr come from?
The last name Schmidmayr is most commonly associated with the Germany, Austria, and Switzerland area today. According to White Pages, Schmidmayr is the third most common family name in Austria, and the 145th most common family name in Germany. It is also one of the top 500 family names in Switzerland.
The main concentration of Schmidmayrs can be found in the Alps region, in cities such as Munich, Vienna, and Stuttgart. In addition, the name can be found in Bavaria and Tyrol with smaller numbers. Smaller populations are also found in some of the former East German states, such as Saxony and Thuringia.
Outside of the Alps region, Schmidmayr is common in other parts of the European continent, such as in the Netherlands, Poland, and Slovakia. It is also found in distant regions such as the US, Australia, and Canada, due to people of German descent immigrating from the traditional centers.
Today, Schmidmayr is a relatively common family name in Germany, Austria, and other parts of Europe, due to its presence in the region for many centuries. As time passes, it may become more widespread as German-speaking immigrants move to other countries.
Variations of the surname Schmidmayr
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Schmidmayr include Schmidmaier, Schmidtmaier, Schmiedmaier, Schmeidmaier, Schmeidmayer, Schmeidmeier, Schmeidmair, Schmeidmair, Schmidmaier, Schmidmair, Schmidmeier, Schmiedmeier, Schmiedmaier, Schmiedmair, Schmedmaier, Schmiedmayer, Schmieidmaier, Schmieidmayer, Schmieidmeier, and Schmeidmayer.
Schmidmaier, Schmidtmaier, Schmiedmaier, and Schmeidmaier are variant spellings which result from a common misreading of the script of old German surnames. The incorrect substitution of ‘ie’ for ‘ei’ is common, though minor. These variant spellings refer to the same surname ancestry as Schmidmayr.
Schmeidmayer, Schmeidmeier, Schmeidmair, Schmidmaier, Schmidmair, Schmidmeier, Schmiedmeier, Schmiedmaier, Schmiedmair, Schmedmaier, Schmiedmayer, Schmieidmaier, Schmieidmayer, Schmieidmeier, and Schmeidmayer are variants which are derived phonetically from Schmidmayr. Here the sound of the name is retained but the spelling altered.
Variations of the Schmidmayr surname are found throughout many cultures. For example, in Romania, the name shares the same root as Schmid and Schmieg and is typically listed as Schmüd in eleventh century records. Similarly, in Germany the name is recognized as either Schmidmayer or Schmidmair. From there, the name can be found in other parts of Europe such as Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and the Netherlands. The surname has also made its way to North America, with many American immigrants bearing the last name and spelling of Schmidmayr.
Famous people with the name Schmidmayr
- Maximilian Schmidmayr: Austrian singer-songwriter and musician;
- Johannes Schmidmayr: Cistercian monk, theologian, and ornithologist from Austria;
- Monika Schmidmayr: German figure skater, actress and entrepreneur;
- Peter Schmidmayr: Austrian racing driver;
- Stefan Schmidmayr: Austrian professional footballer-goalkeeper;
- Richard Schmidmayr: German neurologist and director of the Department of Neurology at the University of Munich;
- Johannes Joseph Schmidmayr: Catholic priest, academic, and liturgist from Austria;
- Rudi Schmidmayr: German operatic tenor;
- Caroline Schmidmayr: Austrian snowboarder;
- Emma Schmidmayr: Austrian athlete, specialist of mountain running;
- Sarah Schmidmayr: German biathlete;
- Peter Schmidmayr-German last name; and
- John Schmidmayr: American architect.