Surname Süßmeyer - Meaning and Origin
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Süßmeyer: What does the surname Süßmeyer mean?
The surname Süßmeyer is a German locational surname, originally derived from a place in Germany where a family having the surname held residence. It is derived from the German words Sind (to be) and Meer (lake) and thus literally means ‘to be at a lake’. The surname is classified as topographic, meaning that it is associated with a specific physical feature such as a landscape or a specific place.
The name Süßmeyer can trace its origin to quite a few locations, with the most popular being the areas of Ardagne, Traun, and Nordhausen, all in Germany. In addition, several locations in Belgium also became connect with the name, where it was used in the Walloon region as a family name based in the area.
The Süßmeyers first appear on the European stage during the twelfth century, around the time of the Knights Templar. It appears that the Süßmeyers were among this organization’s most avid supporters and it is thought that this is where the name originates. During this era, Süßmeyer was a relatively common name among militiamen and although the precise origin of the name is unknown, it is thought that the first Süßmeyers were men from local areas who had signed up to serve in the Templar force.
The Süßmeyers became one of the most prominent families in Europe during the latter half of the sixteenth century, with their influence extending into most of what is modern-day Germany. The family itself had far-reaching contacts and political clout and this stemmed from their close ties to the religious and political elite of Europe. This was true for generations to come, with Süßmeyers taking prominent roles in various aspects of Germanic society throughout its history.
The Süßmeyers have a long and illustrious history, as is evident in the amount of locations across Europe that bear the family’s name today. A testament to the family’s far reaching influence, the Süßmeyer family is still remembered today in the regions it once held prominence in.
Order DNA origin analysisSüßmeyer: Where does the name Süßmeyer come from?
Today, the last name Süßmeyer is most commonly found in Germany and Austria, where it is a fairly common name. According to the German online surname database Forebears, it is the 769th most common last name in Germany and the 3,749th most common in Austria.
The name likely originated in the Middle Ages in Germanic regions, possibly from the phrase "süsser meier" which can be translated to mean "sweet lord of the manor." In the Middle Ages, the word "meier" was often used interchangeably with "bauer" or "peasant," meaning that the original bearer of the last name might have been connected to a sweet or kind minor lord.
The name is particularly popular in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where it is the 254th most common surname and is especially high in the districts of Fresenius and Serflingen.
The last name Süßmeyer can also be found in the United States, though not very frequently. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2000 there were only 217 individuals with the last name living in the United States. It is most common in California, where 149 people with the surname lived in 2000.
Variations of the surname Süßmeyer
The surname Süßmeyer (sometimes spelled Sussmeyer, Suesmeyer, or Suesemeier) is a German surname originating from the Middle High German word "süzzemeyer," which meant "sweet master." It is a patronymic surname, meaning it originated when an individual took on the name of his father, with the addition of the suffix -meyer ("master").
Variations of Süßmeyer include Suismeyer, Süssemeier, Süssmeier, Süsmeier, Süzzemeyer, Süssmeister, Sweetmeyer, and Suese. Alternative spellings include Sussmeyer, Suzzemeyer, Suessmeyer, Suese, Sussemeye, Susemeyer, and Sussmeister.
The surname Süßmeyer was first used by people living in Germany, and eventually spread to the United States and other countries. In the United States, the name is most prevalent in Pennsylvania, and is listed as one of the top 1,000 surnames in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Generally speaking, those with the surname Süßmeyer have German or German-American roots. The root word for the surname Süßmeyer, "süzzemeyer," would have been spoken by Middle High German speakers. As the surname evolved, it took different forms in different dialects. For example, in some areas it became “Süsesmeyers” or "Süßemeyers," while in other areas it became "Sweetmeyers," or "Sussmeyers."
Famous people with the name Süßmeyer
- Marcelo Süßmeyer: Argentinian motorcycle racer, competed in the FIM Motocross World Championships.
- Horst Süßmeyer: German visual artist and professor of design.
- Simon Süßmeyer: German entrepreneur and founder of the software company OXID eSales.
- Gabi Süßmeyer: German comedian, actress and television presenter.
- Malte Süßmeyer: German footballer who plays as a defender for Werder Bremen.
- Nico Süßmeyer: German sculptor and musician.
- Juliette Süßmeyer: French Olympian specialising in the 3000 metre steeplechase.
- Triinu Süßmeyer: Estonian entrepreneur, founded Dazzle, an Estonian interior design firm.
- Susanne Süßmeyer: German former competitive figure skater.
- Anne Süßmeyer: Dutch jazz singer and songwriter.