Surname Wasmeier - Meaning and Origin
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Wasmeier: What does the surname Wasmeier mean?
The Wasmeier surname originates from a location in Germany. It is derived from a combination of two German words, wasen, which meant meadow or pasture, and meier, which referred to a farmer, overseer or official who was in charge of managing a farm or estate. This indicates that the Wasmeier family was involved in managing agricultural land.
The name Wasmeier can be found scattered throughout various parts of Germany. In the 16th century, Wasmeier people began to move beyond Germany and could be found in Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and Canada.
The most famous bearer of this surname was the German downhill skier Guenther “Gundy” Wasmeier. He represented West Germany at the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics. He won two gold medals for the giant slalom in 1984 in Sarajevo. Wasmeier also became famous for his amazing 1983/84 overall ski season when he won five Gold medals and two silver medals.
The Wasmeier surname therefore has a long and proud history. It is strongly associated with agricultural management in Germany but also has a connection to a famous Winter Olympic athlete. The meaning of this surname could be summarized as one of being a manager or overseer of a farm or estate.
Order DNA origin analysisWasmeier: Where does the name Wasmeier come from?
The last name Wasmeier is most commonly seen in the modern day in Germany. It is an old German last name that can be traced back as far as the 13th century. The name originated in the Silesian province and it is believed to have been derived from the word “wasmer”, meaning “oxen”.
Today, the surname is still popular in the Silesian region of Germany and is found sporadically through out the country. Wasmeier is not a particularly common surname, however, but it is still possible to find Wasmeier households in some areas.
In addition to Germany, Wasmeier families can be found in other countries, particularly those with ancestry or connections to Germany. The surname can also be found in North America, particularly in the United States and in Canada. The Wasmeier family in North America, however, is generally of more recent origin than in Germany as many of them emigrated from Germany in the early 19th century.
Due to its low frequency and somewhat localized origin, Wasmeier is not a particularly well-known surname outside of communities or areas with a German-speaking population. That being said, it is not completely unheard of and it is fairly easy to trace the name and its meaning back to its roots.
Variations of the surname Wasmeier
Wasmeier is a surname originating from German-speaking countries. It can be written in multiple ways, such as Wasmeier, Wasemeyer, Wasemayer, Wasemayer, Wasemeyer, Waasmeyer, Wasmayr, Waasmeijer, Wasmayer, Wasmayor, and Waesmeijer.
What to these spellings have in common is that they all contain at least one of the root elements “Was” or “Meier”. The first element “Was” is an old Germanic word meaning “marsh” or “swamp” often used as a suffix or prefix in place names, while the second element “Meier” is derived from the German term “Meister”, often used as a title or surname meaning “Master” or person of authority.
Put together, Wasmeier is thought to mean “the master of the swamp” and can be found in various other surnames like Wassermeier, Wassmair, Wasmuth, Wismer, and Wisman. Its variant spellings can sometimes be found outside of German speaking countries, such as Wasem!er in France, Wasmayor in Sweden, and Wassmeijer in the Netherlands.
In summary, Wasmeier is a Germanic surname derived from “Was” and “Meier” and can come in a variety of spellings and variants.
Famous people with the name Wasmeier
- Ivonne Wasmeier: German figure skater.
- Gerald Wasmeier: Former mayor of Rochester Hills, Michigan.
- Leslie Wasmeier: Former women's basketball coach at the University of Utah.
- Kyle Wasmeier: American professional ice hockey player.
- Greg Wasmeier: Retired American indoor soccer player.
- Holly Wasmeier: American soccer defender and current coach.
- Alfred Wasmeier: German stage and film actor.
- Harry Wasmeier: American guitarist and singer.
- Robert Wasmeier: Former NASCAR racer.
- Ben Wasmeier: American college football player.