Surname Selmayer - Meaning and Origin

Selmayer: What does the surname Selmayer mean?

The last name Selmayer is believed to be of Germanic origin, and is a variant of Sellmeier, a toponymic surname common in the Germany's Lower Rhine region. It refers to a person from the city or village of Sellmeier, which is located in the district of Borken in the area of Westphalia. The earliest forms of the Selmayer name appeared in the fact records of the region in the 1500s.

The meaning of Sellmeier, and by association, Selmayer, comes from the original name of the village, which was Sel-mear. This is a combination of two old Germanic words: 'sel' meaning 'dervish' or 'wood' and mear meaning 'meadow'. This can be translated to mean either 'woodland meadow', signifying the village was situated in a wooded area, or 'dervish meadow', alluding to the monastic community which populated the area and meanings as such traces the history of the village back to the 16th or 17th century.

Today, after over 500 years, the Selmayer name still stands. It continues to be a source of pride for its many families and descendants throughout the world.

The Selmayer last name is a testament to the rich cultural and linguistic heritage of the Lower Rhine region. It serves as a reminder of the past, highlighting the bravery and hard work of those who came before us in establishing the modern Germany and Europe as we know it.

Selmayer: Where does the name Selmayer come from?

The last name Selmayer is most commonly associated with the countries of Germany and Austria. The German spelling of the name is Selmayer, while the Austrian version is Selmaier. The origin of the name is likely derived from an Old German word meaning "village mayor."

The Selmayer surname is especially associated with regions of southern Germany, especially around Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg. The name is also seen in slightly higher numbers in the mountain villages of Austria. In recent years, many members of the Selmayer family have emigrated to other countries including the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The Selmayer family name is not especially common as a whole, but is still seen as a prominent name in many German and Austrian communities. It is seen in records as far back as the 12th century. It is also seen in records of medieval Germany, such as in the city of Hamburg’s 17th-century tax records.

Today, there are Selmayer families found in many parts of the world. In the United States, the Selmayer name is especially common in the midwestern states, such as Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Indiana. The name is also prominent in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and California.

Variations of the surname Selmayer

Selmayer is an uncommon last name of German origin, which is derived from a Germanic given name. Variants of the surname Selmayer may include Selmenn, Selman, Selmann, Selmaier, Solmayer, Selmeier and Sellmeyer. Additionally, truck driver and computer game designer Philipp Selmayer is known to have used a variant spelling, Philipp Selmair.

The origin of the Selmayer name can be traced back to the medieval German “Selm”, which was a shortened form of the personal name “Selman”. The personal name itself is derived from the root Germanic element “sel”, which means “victory” or “protector”, and the suffix “man”, which is a sign of respect or endearment. Thus, the name indicates someone with the quality of being a victorious defender or protector.

As the Selmayer name spread across Europe, it was altered in various ways. In some cases, the letter “a” was inserted into the surname, resulting in spelling changes from the original Selmayer to Selmaier or Sellmeyer. Other variants include Selman, Selmann and Solmayer. Furthermore, some members of the Selmayer family have taken on the spelling of their given name as a surname, such as Philipp Selmair.

In conclusion, Selmayer is an uncommon last name of German origin, derived from the personal name Selman. Variants of the surname include Selmenn, Selman, Selmann, Selmaier, Solmayer, Selmeier and Sellmeyer, as well as Philipp Selmair.

Famous people with the name Selmayer

• Bryan Selmayer: American professional surfer with multiple world-class standings
• Sabrina Selmayer: Austrian ski mountaineer, European champion, and winner of the Rutor Extreme
• Luigi Selmayer: Italian footballer and manager who achieved several Serie-A titles
• Luis Selmayer: German chess grandmaster
• Marc Selmayer: English actor, host, and radio personality
• Veit Selmayer: German politician who was a district mayor in Bavaria
• Michael Selmayer: American musician and composer of numerous film scores and concert works
• Tanja Selmayer: Austrian Figure Skater, Austrian National Champion, and winner of many international competitions
• Lea Selmayer: German curator and writer of contemporary art
• Alfons Selmayer: German zoologist focusing on animal behavior and ecology

Other surnames

Selmayr