Surname Steigmayer - Meaning and Origin

Steigmayer: What does the surname Steigmayer mean?

The surname Steigmayer is of German origin and is derived from two root words. The first is "Steig", meaning "stair" or "step", and the second is "Mayer", meaning "mayor". When combined, the name Steigmayer literally translates to mean "mayor of steps", an appropriate association given its origin in Germany.

In terms of regional and cultural origin, the Steigmayer name is most likely associated with the Lower Saxony region of Germany, particularly the town of Lüneburg. Records suggest that the Steigmayer surname was found in the region as early as the 16th century, when it most likely referred to mayors of steps or land titles for stairways of buildings.

The Steigmayer surname most likely indicated a person of prominence, such as a administrator, strongman, or mayor, since such a person would be expected to be able to navigate the various steps and political divisions within the town or city. It can also indicate a person of long-time residence in the town, or someone who owned a stairway or building of some kind.

This surname today is not used in Germany much, as most Steigmayer family lines have since migrated elsewhere, particularly to North America in the 19th and early 20th centuries. However, in some areas in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley and the state of Wisconsin in the United States the name is still faintly remembered.

Steigmayer: Where does the name Steigmayer come from?

The last name Steigmayer is most commonly found in Germany. Records show that there were 690 people in Germany with the Steigmayer surname in 2019, making it the 6,524th most common surname in that country.

There is also a notable Steigmayer family that hails from the Schwaben region of Bavaria, with historical records tracing their roots back at least 300 years in that area. The majority of current-day Steigmayers currently living in Germany are thought to be descended from this original family.

Outside of Germany, Steigmayer is largely unheard of, though there are a few scattered families across the world who can trace their ancestors back to the original Steigmayers. These are mostly located in the United States and in Canada, as well as in South America, Australia, and parts of the United Kingdom.

The greatest concentration of Steigmayers, however, is still in Germany, with some of the descendants of the original family having remained in the Schwaben region for centuries. For this reason, the last name Steigmayer is more commonly associated with this particular area in Germany.

Variations of the surname Steigmayer

The surname Steigmayer is generally thought to have originated in Germany and is an occupational name derived from the Old German words "Stäige" ("ladder") and "Meier" ("farmer"). Variants of the Steigmayer surname include Steigmeyer, Steigemeyer, Steigemer, Steygemeyer, Steygmeyer, and Steijgmeyer.

In terms of spelling variants, Steigmayer can also be found spelled as Steigmyer, Steigmaier, Steigmeir, Steigemeyers, Stiegmaier, Stegmaier, and Steigelmayer.

Most individuals bearing this surname spell it as Steigmayer, but it is often found with other variants, including Steigmeyer, Steigmattyer, and Starymaier.

In some cases, the Steigmayer surname could also be found as a patronymic (a surname derived from the father's given name). In such cases, the Steigmayer surname could become Steigmayrer or Steigmäyer.

Furthermore, Steigmayer may also be found as a translated surname. For example, in some cases, it could have been translated to "ladder maker" or "ladder farmer". This translated version of the surname might include other spellings, such as Leitermaier, or Leitermeier.

Overall, the variation of spelling and names around the Steigmayer surname suggests that its roots could be traced back to German origin.

Famous people with the name Steigmayer

• Robert Steigmayer (American cosmologist).
• Jacek Steigmayer (Polish archaeologist).
• Barbara Steigmayer (German soprano).
• Hans Steigmayer (Austrian architect).
• August Steigmayer (Austrian musicologist).
• Wolfram Steigmayer (German journalist and broadcaster).
• Christopher Steigmayer (British painter).
• Claude Steigmayer (Swiss sculptor).
• Valeria Steigmayer (Argentinian actress).
• Heinz Steigmayer (Austrian actor).
• August Steigmayer, Jr. (Austrian musician).
• Gustav Steigmayer (German botanist).
• Michael Steigmayer (American soldier and Medal of Honor recipient).
• Robby Steigmayer (American race car driver).
• Heinz Steigmayer, Jr. (Austrian actor).
• Wolf Steigmayer (US Navy officer).
• Peter Steigmayer (German-American surrealist artist).
• Julie Steigmayer (Australian-American contemporary painter).
• Erich Steigmeyer (German physicist and Alpine skier).
• Joanna Steigmayer (German film editor).

Other surnames

SteigmajerSteigmann