Surname Wiesmayer - Meaning and Origin
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Wiesmayer: What does the surname Wiesmayer mean?
The last name Wiesmayer is of Germanic origin and is derived from the old German words “wies” meaning meadow and “mair” meaning mayor. Put together, these two words created a surname that literally translates into “the mayor of the meadows.” This surname would have been used to describe someone who was the ""administer of a meadow"" most likely indicating an agricultural background. Additionally, the Germanic word “mair” could also be used to describe a “ruler” or “steward” which likely meant that anyone who bore this surname was responsible for tending to the meadows of a ruler or landowner.
In a figurative sense, the surname Wiesmayer can be linked to a “shepherd” who tended to the affairs of his flock as a mayor of the meadows. It was not uncommon for such a person to be looked up to in high esteem in the farm and or rural village or town.
Today, the surname Wiesmayer continues to be used across modern-day Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Those bearing this name can find a strong sense of identity and belonging to the Germanic culture as it is among the oldest and most widespread surname in Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisWiesmayer: Where does the name Wiesmayer come from?
The last name Wiesmayer is most commonly found in Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic today, mostly in the areas bordering Germany and the Czech Republic. In 1871, 8,120 individuals with the surname Wiesmayer were recorded in Austria, which makes up 8.72% of all surnames in the country. In Germany, it is more widely spread, as 16,063 people with the surname were counted in 2002. However, compared to other German surnames, it is not particularly common.
The Czech Republic also has a significant population of Wiesmayers, with over 7,000 individuals bearing the name living in the country. Most of these individuals are located in southern Bohemia, in the Karlovy Vary Region, especially around the cities of Marianske Lazne and Litomysl. It is likely that the Germanic origin of the family was introduced with German and Austrian immigrants.
In the United States, the surname is much rarer, with only 120 people with the surname recorded in the 2010 census. The majority of these individuals come from families which emigrated from Germany and Austria during the 19th century. The Wiesmayer name is also noted in France, where it is likely that individuals with the name traveled from the German states during the French Revolution.
Overall, the last name Wiesmayer is most common in Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic today. Though it is not particularly common compared to other surnames, there are still quite a few individuals bearing the name living in these countries.
Variations of the surname Wiesmayer
The surname Wiesmayer is derived from a German surname meaning “from the meadows”. This surname is found in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and a few other Central and Eastern European countries. Variants of the surname Wiesmayer include Weismayer, Weismeier, and Wiesemeyer.
In addition to these variants, there are also a few alternate spellings, including Wissemeyer, Wiesemann, and Wiessmeyer. It is also common to find it written as a hyphenated name, such as Wies-Mayer or Weis-Meier.
The surname also has related surnames from other countries. In Poland, it is often spelled Wieczorek, and in Latvia, it appears mainly as Zemmeris. In Ukraine, it is typically found as Vesymayer. In Russia, it is often written as Veismeyer. Finally, in Slovakia, a frequent spelling of the surname is Ozimár.
Overall, the surname Wiesmayer has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is found in many Eastern and Central European countries, with slightly different name formulations for each country.
Famous people with the name Wiesmayer
- Johan Wiesmayer- a German football player, currently playing as a defender for Senec
- Barbara Wiesmayer- a German barrister and former civil servant
- Andreas Wiesmayer- German technology executive and investor
- Paul Wiesmayer- Austrian Olympic figure skater
- Eva Wiesmayer- Romanian-German sports shooter, bronze medalist at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London
- Heimo Wiesmayer- Austrian retired civil servant and former mayor of Bregenz
- Günter Wiesmayer- Austrian race car driver
- Hanjo Wiesmayer- German bobsledder, two-time world champion
- Viktor Wiesmayer- Austrian retired basketball player
- Ilse Wiesmayer- Austrian author and professor of Roman Catholic history