Surname Selmeier - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Selmeier: What does the surname Selmeier mean?
The last name Selmeier is of German origin and is generally associated with Bavaria. It is thought that the name is derived from the German phrase “selte-meer” which means “little sea” or “little lake”. Other theories conjecture that the name could have emerged originally from a location and is derived from the Old German words “salte” (salt) and “mere” (lake).
Given the origin of the name, Selmeier is believed to have also come to signify a family’s connection to the sea or a body of water. More specifically, those with the last name may have had an active role related to the lake or a river such as a fisherman or sailor.
Over the centuries, the name has spread throughout Europe, mainly in Germany, Austria, Holland, and Switzerland. It is not common in the United States, though there are some with the last name living in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
The Selmeier name is a symbol of the old world and of a family’s origin and possible connection to the sea or a lake. The rich traditions of the past are intact with this last name and tell a story of its past.
Order DNA origin analysisSelmeier: Where does the name Selmeier come from?
The last name Selmeier is a relatively rare name, with it found primarily in northern Germany and some parts of the United States. In Germany, most Selmeiers are located in the southern parts, along the Moselle River, in towns like Bosen and Altmuhl. In the United States, the surname is found primarily in the Midwest, with the majority of Selmeiers found in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
The etymology of theSelmeier name is Germanic. It is derived from the words "sel" and "meier," which roughly mean "wise ruler." The first use of the name was in the 14th century, when it was used by a ruling family in what is now northern Germany. They had estates in the Moselle River Valley, near Bosen.
Today, the name Selmeier is still relatively common in northern Germany, though its frequency has decreased somewhat in the last century. Outside of Germany, it is found primarily in the American Midwest. It is a popular surname among German Americans, many of whom continue to keep family ties with their relatives in Germany.
Variations of the surname Selmeier
The surname Selmeier is of German origin and has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is derived from the German words "selm" meaning "village" and "er" meaning "attendant." The variants of Selmeier include Selmaier, Sellmeier, Solomon, Selmayer, Selman, Sallmeyer, Sallmaier, and Solmayer.
The spelling variations of the surname Selmeier are Salmaier, Sellmaier, Sellmeier, Salmerer, Sellmayer, Salomayer, Salomer, Solomon, Selman, Sallmaier, Sallmeyer, and Solmayer.
Surnames of the same origin as Selmeier include Solomon, Selman, Sallmaier, Sallmeyer, and Solmayer. These names come from the same German origin and have a similar meaning, with names containing the suffix ‘er’ or ‘mayer’ deriving from ‘attendant’ and ‘village’ respectively.
Selmaier is the most common variant of the surname Selmeier, typically used in the United States and other American countries. Other variants such as Sellmeier, Solomon, Selman, Sallmaier, Sallmeyer, and Solmayer tend to be more common in Europe and other parts of the world.
Overall, there are many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Selmeier. While all these names have different spellings, they all can be traced back to a common German origin.
Famous people with the name Selmeier
- Arthur Selmeier (19th century German architect).
- Elvira Selmeier (sports journalist unknown affiliation).
- Frank Selmeier (German musician, owner of the label Recreantantam).
- Hans Selmeier (German artist and sculptor, known for his work in markedly abstract and often futuristic styles).
- Marcy Selmeier (American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist).
- Patrick Selmeier (German actor from the city of Berlin).
- Robert Selmeier (German biathlete, competed in the 2014 Winter Olympics).
- Stanislaus Selmeier (19th century German missionary and teacher).
- Volker Selmeier (German physicist, affiliated with the Technical University of Munich).
- Richard Selmeier (American investor and venture capitalist, active in the late 1970s and 1980s).