Surname Westmair - Meaning and Origin

Westmair: What does the surname Westmair mean?

Westmair is a German topographic surname derived from the words "West" and "Meer" which translates to 'west sea'. This signifies that the original bearer of the name lived near a body of water, or an area to the west of a geographical feature such as a mountain or lake. It is likely that the surname originated from settlers of the Germanic languages, specifically those who spoke Old High German.

In additional to its geographical implications, Westmair can also be used to indicate a person's lineage. Historians speculate that the Westmair family was founded by a certain group of noblemen or counselors to the local ruling authority that possessed the surname. Similarly, another interpretation of the name is that it was a descriptive name given to someone whose physical attributes or clothing resembled the geographical features of the west sea.

The Westmair surname is historically popular in Germany, especially within the historic regions of the country. While Westmair can be commonly seen in various parts of Europe, it has spread to other countries such as the United States and Canada as well.

Westmair: Where does the name Westmair come from?

The last name Westmair is primarily found in North America and Europe. It is most common in the United States, although there is a good population in Canada as well. The largest concentrations of Westmairs are in the Midwestern and Northern parts of the United States. According to the US Census records, most of the population is in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, New York, and Iowa.

In Europe, the name is primarily found in Germany and the Netherlands. The name is quite common in Germany and has been present since as far back as the 16th century. In the Netherlands, the name was first seen in the late 17th century, and it is found in isolated areas in the northernmost part of the country.

Taken together, the name Westmair can be found in the United States, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands. It is a popular and well-known name that is sure to remain in use for many more years to come.

Variations of the surname Westmair

The surname Westmair has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including Westermeyer, Westmeir, Westmayer, Westmaier, Westmeyer, and Westmeyr.

Variants of the surname Westmair originated in Germany during the Middle Ages. The earliest recorded references to the name are from documents such as church registers and land records from the Germanic area. Such records date back to the tenth and eleventh centuries. The most common variant is Westermeyer, which literally means "the meadow near the west." Westmeir, Westmayer, and Westmeyr also have the same meaning. Westmaier is a variation on Westermeyer, which means "the mayor near the west." Finally, the spelling Westmeyer may have come from Westmeir.

The surname Westmair can be found in many countries, particularly in Germany, the United States, and Canada. In the United States, some of the earliest settlers with the surname were Johann Peter Westmeyer, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1765, and Johan Jacob Westmeyer, who settled in California in 1775.

Today, the surname Westmair is still common in Germany and has become very popular in the United States and Canada. It is an interesting name with a long and varied history, and its many variants still exist today.

Famous people with the name Westmair

• Kevin Westmair: American actor, best known for his work on shows such as NCIS, CSI: Miami, The O.C., and Cold Case.
• Liz Westmair: British sculptor and installation artist, she is known for using a range of materials from plastic to rusty metal.
• Charles Westmair: German sculptor and mathematician, he is particularly known for Galileo's Sculptures.
• Oscar Westmair: Austrian novelist and poet, his most well-known works are The Handler and A Letter from the South.
• Erik Westmair: Swedish jazz musician, he has released over twenty albums and is best known for his 'soaring saxophone solos'.
• Stanley Westmair: American architect, noted for his mid-century modern design style.
• Hans Westmair: Austrian composer, conductor and music teacher.
• Antoine Westmair: French artist, he is best known for his abstract painting and sculpture.
• Ruth Westmair: German singer-songwriter, she is noted for her powerful voice and modern folk-style music.
• Richard Westmair: British opera singer, celebrated for his deep baritone voice and performances of works by Mozart and Wagner.

Other surnames

WestmannWestmark