Surname Wegmeier - Meaning and Origin
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Wegmeier: What does the surname Wegmeier mean?
The last name Wegmeier is of German origin, and signifies one who is a traveler or a wayfarer. This surname comes from the phrase "Weg meier", which literally translates to "way keeper". This means that the earliest known bearers of the surname safeguarded the routes, roads, and pathways for those who passed through their lands.
The name Wegmeier is believed to have originated from the Middle Ages, when laws enacted by powerful feudal lords required travelers to seek permission to pass through their territories. The person who was responsible for controlling the passage of these travelers was known as the Wegmeier.
Since this name is of German origin, it is likely that the first Wegmeiers were located in the German-speaking parts of Europe, although the name has spread to other countries over the centuries.
In modern times, the surname Wegmeier is still quite common in Germany and Switzerland. The name has also spread to Canada and the United States, where it is sometimes spelled Waymeir or Wegmeyer. For Americans with this name, it’s likely that they are descended from German immigrants who brought the name with them when they moved to North America.
Overall, the name Wegmeier signifies a historically significant role as a traveler or wayfarer and is today a meaningful part of many individuals' family histories.
Order DNA origin analysisWegmeier: Where does the name Wegmeier come from?
The last name Wegmeier is most common today in Germany and other German-speaking areas of Europe, including Austria and Switzerland. The name is also found throughout the United States, with the highest concentration in parts of Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, California, Minnesota and Texas.
The surname is derived from the German term “wegmeir”, which literally translates to “road master” or “path master”. German surnames often indicated occupation, and in this case, was likely given to someone who was responsible for maintaining roads in their area.
The name Wegmeier is believed to have originated from the eighth century Bohemian kingdom. It is thought that the earliest incarnation of the surname was a variation of the Latin word “via-meida”, meaning simply “road worker”.
The surname slowly spread throughout the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly during the industrial revolution of the 19th century as individuals moved to seek better lives, and more recently with today’s immigration policies. As a result, the last name Wegmeier is now found in countries across the globe.
The United States has the largest population of individuals with the last name Wegmeier, likely due to the high number of German settlers from earlier centuries. In recent years, it has continued to grow in popularity and can now be found in many US states.
Variations of the surname Wegmeier
Wegmeier is a German surname of ancient origin and is derived from the Old German 'weg', meaning 'path' or 'way'. As such, this surname has come to refer to those who lived near a road or way, or perhaps lived in a hamlet or hamlet-like area.
Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Wegmeier can include Vigmeier, Weigmeir, Wegmeir, Wegmaer, Wegmeirer, Wegmair, Wegemeier, Weicmeir, Veigmeier, and Wegmeyier.
In Dutch, a related surname is Weggemeer, derived from the same Old German roots. Additionally, an Americanized variant of Wegmeier is Wigmyer.
The Wegmeier surname can still be found in Germany, the Netherlands, as well as the United States and Canada. The Wegmeier name today is represented by a number of notable people, including Canadian golf legend Fred Wigmeiers, Dutch composer/musician Catrien Weggemeer, and American basketball player Teddy Wigmeir.
Famous people with the name Wegmeier
- Greg Wegmeier: an American film producer, writer, and editor.
- Paul Wegmeier: a German second world war ace fighter pilot.
- Ines Wegmeier: an Austrian filmmaker, writer, and poet.
- Reiner Wegmeier: a German football (soccer) player and coach.
- Louise Wegmeier: a Swiss actress and voice artist.
- Ernst Wegmeier: a German theater and film actor.
- Don Wegmeier: an American sound designer and post-production supervisor.
- Betty Wegmeier: an American painter and sculptor.
- Hilde Wegmeier: a German-born British designer and artist.
- Dr. Peter Michael Wegmeier: a German competitive sailor who is also an honorary member of the German Soling association.
- Roger Wegmeier: a Swiss ice hockey player.
- Ute Wegmeier: a German actress.
- Heiner Wegmeier: a German politician and member of the Bundestag from 2009 to 2013.
- Brigitte Wegmeier: a German artist and sculptor.
- Günther Wegmeier: a German actor and director.
- Maria Wegmeier: a German writer, literary critic, and professor.
- Markus Wegmeier: a German entrepreneur.
- Erika Wegmeier: a German actress.
- Cilly Wegmeier: an Austrian scientist and researcher.
- Robert Wegmeier: an American actor and musician.