Surname Westermayer - Meaning and Origin
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Westermayer: What does the surname Westermayer mean?
The last name Westermayer is German in origin and is derived from the Middle German word "westermeie" which translates to "western meadow". This likely referred to a person living in or near a meadow in the western part of a village. The Westermayer surname is found mainly in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The Westermayer name originated during the period of German tribal name formation, which began around the 13th century. At this time surnames were created to identify people and were often chosen based on their location, occupation or physical or mental characteristics. The Westermayer name was likely used for someone who lived in or near a meadow on the western side of town. Over time, this name spread as people moved to different areas in search of work or new opportunities.
Today, the Westermayer surname is carried by thousands of individuals throughout Europe and North America. Although the original meaning of the last name may have been relatively descriptive, it has taken on a more symbolic meaning for many modern day bearers of the name. By bearing the Westermayer name, individuals may feel a connection to their ancestral homeland, or a special connection to the land itself.
Order DNA origin analysisWestermayer: Where does the name Westermayer come from?
The last name Westermayer is primarily found in Germany today, especially in the Bavaria region. The name is derived from the German word westermeer, which was a body of water that ran through much of Germany, and was used to distinguish inheritance and other property rights. Over time, the name became a family name and migrated with families as they moved around Europe.
During the 20th century, many people with the Westermayer name chose to emigrate to other parts of the world, particularly the United States. The American version of the name, “Westernmeyer” is found in many places around the United States, primarily in the Midwest. Westermayer family names can also be found in other parts of Europe, including France, Hungary, Poland, and the Netherlands.
Regardless of where members of the Westermayer family have settled, most still considerGermany their ancestral home. While it may not be as prevalent as it once was, the Westermayer name is still prominent in the Bavaria region and throughout Germany.
Variations of the surname Westermayer
The surname Westermayer is of German origin and is derived from the Old German word “westmayer”, meaning one who lives at the western gates, or the guard of the western walls. The name is spelled variously as Westermayer, Westmayer, Westmeyer, Westmeir, Westmeier, and Westmair. Although the spelling has altered over time, the origin and meaning remain the same.
Variations on the spelling of the surname result from alterations during immigration and naturalization processes. During Ellis Island Registry, for example, officers sometimes made spelling changes to seemingly better fit American pronunciations. As a result, some Westermayer ancestors may have been assigned different spellings of the name when records were created.
Surnames associated with Westermayer may also be found in other languages, such as French. The predominant French spelling of the name is Wescmez or Wesmèze. Additionally, the spelling Weizmair or Weizmeier may be found throughout Austria and Germany.
Since the Westermayer name is less common in the U.S., it may also be found paired with other family or even unrelated surnames. Such “hyphenate” surnames include Westermayer-Brennan and Westermayer-Hamann.
Spelling variations can make researching Westermayer ancestors difficult, but with persistence, progress can be made. In order to uncover additional information, one should be sure to check for alternate spellings throughout the research process.
Famous people with the name Westermayer
- Johannes Westmayer: German actor
- Tom Westmayer: American film producer and director
- Eric Westmayer: British actor
- Max Westmayer: Austrian engineer and entrepreneur
- Wilhelm Westmayer: German mobster and gang leader
- Ella Westmayer: German historian
- Richard Westmayer: Swiss businessman
- Karl Westmayer: German sculptor
- Peter Westmayer: Austrian mathematician
- Robert Westmayer: American investment banker