Surname Schönmayr - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schönmayr: What does the surname Schönmayr mean?
The last name Schönmayr is of German origin and is derived from the Old German words "schon" and "mayer". The literal translation of this combination translates to "beautiful mayor" or "fine mayor". This suggests that the original bearer of the name was likely an important figure in the local community, possibly a mayor or some other kind of influential community leader.
While the surname is still common in Germany, it is not as widely used in other parts of the world. This could be attributed to the fact that the word “schön” can be seen as a more specific descriptor than a many of the other more widely used German last names.
In English-speaking countries, the surname Schönmayr is often anglicized to “Schon” or “Schoen”. This is expressed particularly in America, which is home to many who have emigrated from German-speaking countries like Germany and Austria.
The Schönmayr family name is associated with the German language, and is also sometimes linked to the country of Germany. It carries the implied meaning of “beauty” and “goodness”, suggesting a positive set of values. Furthermore, it points to a history of community leadership and influence.
Order DNA origin analysisSchönmayr: Where does the name Schönmayr come from?
The last name Schönmayr is quite common in present-day Germany, particularly in the southern regions. It is also commonly found in Austria, Switzerland, and in certain parts of Eastern Europe.
The origin of the Schönmayr surname comes from the German term ‘schoon’, which means beautiful or pleasant. The archaic German form of the name is Schönemair or Schönmayer. In German linguistic areas, the surname is often used interchangeably with the spelling Schönmeier, Schönmayr, Schönmayer, Schönmair, and Schönmayer.
The name Schönmayr appears to be quite a widespread given name in Germany. In popular directories such as Das Telefonbuch, up to 40 Schönmayr families were listed for the area of Munich alone in 2020. This makes Schönmayr one of the most common surnames in Germany.
Schönmayr is also common in European countries close to Germany, and it has also spread further afield. Genealogical records indicate that the name has been recorded among immigrants who traveled to the United States, Australia, and Canada. The most recent records of a Schönmayr appearing outside of Europe were in 2018 in the Canadian province of Alberta.
With its long history in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other parts of Europe, Schönmayr is a surname that continues to survive and thrive in the 21st century.
Variations of the surname Schönmayr
The Schönmayr surname is one of many German-based surnames derived from the German word "schön," which translates to "beautiful" or "lovely." Variants of this name include Schonmayr, Schönnmayer, Schoenmayer, Schenmeir and Schoemair, with alternate spellings such as Schoenmair, Schoenmayr, Schenmair, Schoennmayer, Schoenmeir, Schoenmayer and Schoenmaier.
The Schönmayr surname is not terribly old, its first recorded instances only appearing in the 19th century as an addition to older, more complex German surnames. The earliest record of the name was in 1540, associated with a Herman Schonmaier of Olmutz, Bohemia, now Olomouc, the Czech Republic.
The surname is fairly rare in the U.S., with fewer than 650 people with the first and last name carrying the spelling. However, there are notable variants of the surname, such as the German "Schönmaker" (translation: "beautiful maker") and "Schonmaier" (translation: "beautiful mayor"), neither of which are related to the classic Schönmayr spelling.
The Schönmayr surname can be found throughout western, central, and northern Europe, primarily in Germany and Austria. Its variant surnames extend to Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. The Schönmayr name has also spread to other nations such as France, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and other nations as well.
Famous people with the name Schönmayr
- Ludwig Schönmayr, German composer and musicologist.
- Franz Schönmayr, Austrian artist, architect, and designer.
- Johanna Schönmayr, German actress.
- Franziska Schönmayr, celebrity chef from Germany.
- Max Schönmayr, German Decathlete.
- Freya Schönmayr, German model.
- Hope Schönmayr, Media personality from Germany.
- Maria Schönmayr, former tennis player from Austria.
- Gabriele Schönmayr, German long-distance runner.
- Daniel Schönmayr, Austrian goods technologist.
- Corinna Schönmayr, German ski jumper.
- Kurt Schönmayr, retired German footballer.
- Michael Schönmayr, Austrian actor and comedy writer.
- Jürgen Schönmayr, German mountaineer and expedition leader.
- Christoph Schönmayr, Austrian interdisciplinary artist.
- Günter Schönmayr, retired Austrian football goalkeeper.
- Christian Schönmayr, Austrian professor of philosophy.
- Alexander Schönmayr, German bicycle racer.
- Jörn Schönmayr, German football club chairman