Surname Sellmayr - Meaning and Origin
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Sellmayr: What does the surname Sellmayr mean?
The last name Sellmayr is believed to have originated from Bavaria, Germany and is of Germanic origin. It is a combination of two words, 'selle' and 'meir', which translates to 'many sellers'. This suggests that its original bearer was someone involved in trading goods or services. In most cases, this occupational name derived from a person's primary occupation, though it could also be derived from a place name.
The Sellmayr surname can be found in several European countries, including Germany, Austria and Switzerland. As with many German names, variants appear in other languages; for example, in some areas of Germany, a variant of the name is spelt ‘Zehlmeier’ or ‘Zehlmair’. In some cases, the name has also changed due to its proximity to other languages, such as in Poland, where the ‘z’ sound is replaced with a ‘s’, creating the surname ‘Szellmayr’, or in Belgium, where it becomes ‘Selmaer’.
The Sellmayr name has survived throughout the centuries and can be seen in historical records, extending back as far as the 1500s in Germany. Over the years, the spelling has evolved with each succeeding generation, making it difficult to trace the name’s history fully. Nonetheless, it remains a common name in Germany and is still enjoyed by many Sellmayr families all over Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisSellmayr: Where does the name Sellmayr come from?
The last name Sellmayr is surprisingly widespread throughout the world. Today, this surname can be found predominantly in the US, Canada, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
In the United States, Sellmayr is most commonly found in California, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Texas. However, the surname is also present in other states, including Florida, Illinois, Missouri, and Ohio. Canada is home to comparatively fewer Sellmayrs, however, the surname is becoming increasingly common in the nation’s westernmost province, British Columbia.
In Europe, Sellmayr is more heavily concentrated than in North America. The highest concentrations of the surname can be found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Here, Sellmayr is found overwhelmingly in the south of Bavaria, which includes the cities of Munich and Nürnberg. The surname is also quite common in the mountain regions around Lake Constance, which is the common border between Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Although Sellmayr is still largely concentrated in Europe, a growing number of people with the surname are choosing to relocate all around the world, including to the United States and Canada. This has caused the surname to become increasingly widespread throughout many different countries.
Variations of the surname Sellmayr
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Sellmayr are: Sellmayer, Sellmeyer, Sellmair, Sellmeier, Sellemair, and Sellme.
The name Sellmayr is believed to originate from Germany. It was given to families who lived in the village of Sellmayr, and who ultimately adopted the surname associated with the village. It is thought to have been derived from the word ‘Selm’, meaning ‘a delightful place’ in old German.
The variant Sellmayer can be traced to the German state of Bavaria, and is thought to have been derived from the phrase ‘selb mar’ - which means ‘self border’. The variants Sellmeier and Sellme both imply ‘self brave’ in old German and may have been adopted by individuals who showed great courage.
The spelling Sellmair is likely to have derived from the word ‘selb’ - meaning ‘self’ or ‘self-possessed’ in old German - and was adopted to denote bravery and self-possession. The variant Sellemair is believed to have been derived from the words ‘selb’ and ‘mar’ - meaning ‘self border’ - and suggests that individuals who adopted this surname lived in border regions.
The Sellmayr name is still evident in Germany today, although the spelling and variant surnames have fragmented over the years. This is a result of various linguistic and cultural changes which have occurred over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Sellmayr
- Karl Sellmayr (1934: 2019), Austrian composer and songwriter
- Edgar Sellmayr (1898: 1969), Austrian author and translator
- Hermine Sellmayr (1882: 1956), pioneering Austrian aviation pioneer
- Max Sellmayr (1917: 2009), Austrian Olympic alpine skier
- Erich Sellmayr (1890: 1947), Austrian classical scholar
- Jan Sellmayr (1917: 2007), Austrian guitar-maker
- Chris Sellmayr (1973: present), American musician
- Alfred Sellmayr (1883: 1964), Austrian sculptor
- Simon Sellmayr (1827: 1910), Austrian stained glass artist
- Helmuth Sellmayr (1902: 1971), Austrian Olympic fencer