Surname Wasmaier - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wasmaier: What does the surname Wasmaier mean?
The last name Wasmaier is believed to be of German origin, derived from the Germanic name Wassmer which means ‘water meadow’. It is believed to have first been used to describe people living or working near a marshy or wet meadow. Since the Middle Ages, Wasmaier has been an established surname in a variety of spellings, including Wasmeyer, Wasmeyer, Wassmaier, Wasmair, Wasmeir, and Wasmeier.
The original spelling of Wasmaier may have been 'Wassmaier’ which could have indicated descent from a Wassmaier clan in Bavaria. This clan was located in the ‘Free City of Frankfurt’ in the 16th century. It was only in the 20th century that the Wasmaier spelling became more widespread.
Wasmaier is make up of two parts - 'Wass' meaning water and 'maier' meaning a mayor or town official. This could suggest that this surname was borne by a man with a high rank within town administration who was assigned to be in charge of the marshy meadows.
Today, the name Wasmaier is still common throughout Germany. It is also present in several different countries throughout Europe, with an especially strong presence in Austria where many of the descendants of the original Wasmaier clan continue to live.
Wasmaier is said to be a fairly rare name, both in Germany and across the world, yet it still holds a rich history and important place in the development of German surnames.
Order DNA origin analysisWasmaier: Where does the name Wasmaier come from?
The last name Wasmaier is predominantly found in Germany and Austria, two countries that make up the German-speaking region. It can also be found in other countries including the United States, Canada, and Australia. In terms of its frequency in Germany and Austria, Wasmaier is amongst the top 250 to 500 surnames, and it is especially common in some regions within these countries. In Germany, it is among the top ten most common surnames in parts of the Allgäu and Oberschwaben region of Bavaria, as well as the Palatinate region, and in parts of Thuringia. It is also among the top twenty most common surnames in parts of Lower Austria, including Vienna, as well as parts of Upper Austria.
In addition, Wasmaier is becoming increasingly common as a family name in other parts of the world due to immigration. In the United States, the family name Wasmaier is most commonly found in Texas, Michigan, and Illinois. In Canada, Wasmaiers are most often found in the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. In Australia, the family name is most common in New South Wales, with a smaller concentration of Wasmaier households in Queensland and Victoria.
Therefore, in today's world, the family name Wasmaier is concentrated in the German-speaking region, particularly in certain parts of Bavaria, Thuringia, Lower Austria, and Upper Austria. At the same time, an increasing number of Wasmaiers can be found across North America and Australia due to immigration.
Variations of the surname Wasmaier
Wasmaier (or Wasmeier, Wasmayer) is a German-language surname originating from the Middle High German Wasmare, which is derived from the word ‘wasser’ meaning ‘water’.
The earliest recorded owners of the name was (in transcriptions): ‘Wasmare’ in the 11th century, ‘Wasmata’ in the 12th century, ‘Wasmer’ in the 13th century, ‘Wesmare’ in the 15th century, ‘Wasmar’ in the 16th century, and ‘Wassmare’ in the 17th century.
The surname is also found in other German-speaking countries, including Austria, Switzerland, and South Tyrol. It can also be found in parts of the United States where German immigration took place in the 19th century.
Variants of the name include Wassmair, Wassmare, Wasmeier, Wasmaier, Vasmair, Vassmair, Wasmare, Wasmier, Wasmayer, Wasmare, Wasmair and Wasmata. Additionally there are variants such as Wasmer, Wasmir, Wassermaier, Wassermair, Wassmair, Wassmerer, Wesmare, Wassermayr, and Wasmasche.
Surnames that are derived from the same origin as Wasmaier include Wassam, Wassamann, Wassmann, Wasserman, Wassmann, Wassmüller, Wassmüllerin, Wassmüllner, Wasem, Wasemann, Wasemann, Wasmann, Wasmer, and Wasser.
These variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, highlight the complexity of the surname Wasmaier. The variations of this surname have been used to trace genealogical tree branches which have delivered more clarity on the origin of the surname.
Famous people with the name Wasmaier
- Joe Wasmaier: Joe Wasmaier is a professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour.
- Sandy Wasmaier: Sandy Wasmaier was an All-American basketball player who played for the University of Oregon and the University of Michigan.
- Karl Wasmaier: Karl Wasmaier was a German author, translator, and publisher who is best known for his translations of Romeo and Juliet and The Merchant of Venice.
- Heidi Wasmaier-Shields: Heidi Wasmaier-Shields is a German-born American actress who has appeared in films such as Bridesmaids and The Hangover Part II.
- Peter Wasmaier: Peter Wasmaier is a Swiss-born American painter who has exhibited his works in galleries in countries around the world.
- Ludwig Wasmaier: Ludwig Wasmaier was a German classical music composer who wrote numerous works for the clarinet.
- Chris Wasmaier: Chris Wasmaier is a professional golfer who has played on the Web.com Tour and the NGA Pro Golf Tour.
- Kurt Wasmaier: Kurt Wasmaier was a German-born American athlete who was a two-time Olympian in swimming.
- Max Wasmaier: Max Wasmaier was a German-born American politician who served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1891 to 1895.
- Alfred Wasmaier: Alfred Wasmaier was a German-born American architect who designed multiple structures in the early twentieth century.