Surname Windmiller - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Windmiller: What does the surname Windmiller mean?
The last name Windmiller has German origins. It is derived from the German word 'Windmühle', which translates literally to 'windmill'. This was likely a name given to someone who lived near a windmill or had some kind of association with one. It may also have been used to describe someone who had the surname or occupation of miller.
The word 'miller' comes from the Old English milian and refers to someone who worked in or owned a mill. In this case, a windmill. Traditionally these were used for grinding grains to make flours, but over time they were used for a variety of tasks. Early windmills were used for pumping water, draining lowlands, and even sawing wood.
Today, the last name Windmiller is likely still associated with its original meaning. It could be a signifier of someone who is associated with a windmill in some way, either through occupation or family ties. The name could also be seen as a reminder of the long history of milling and the importance of windmills during the Middle Ages and beyond.
Order DNA origin analysisWindmiller: Where does the name Windmiller come from?
The last name Windmiller is not particularly common today, although it can still be found distributed throughout the United States. According to records found in the United States Census Bureau, Windmiller is an infrequently encountered surname, with fewer than 200 active listings in the year 2020. Further analysis of the data reveals scattered areas of concentration in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina, Florida, and Arizona, with smaller pockets in other states.
Windmiller is classified as a German surname, with its literal translation being a combination of 'wind' and 'miller'. In times past, a Windmiller may have held the occupation of windmilling, which is a profession involved in the operation of sailboats or windmills. Records found further back indicate that the name Windmiller originates from the town of Windmiller in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
Windmillers of today are likely to find that their surname is rooted in far off history. For anyone searching for more information about the history of their last name, contacting local genealogists, library archives, and online databases may help uncover records and facts about where their ancestors once called home.
Variations of the surname Windmiller
The surnames Windmiller, Windmüller, and Windmeyer all have the same German origin. In America, the surname is most commonly found as Windmiller, while Windmüller and Windmeyer appear throughout Germany, France, Austria, and other northern and eastern European countries. In some cases, the particular spelling of the surname may be a combination of its place of origin and any living relatives who emigrated.
The origin of the surname Windmiller is believed to be from the German word windmühle, meaning “windmill”. Thus, it is believed to be a toponymical surname, with those who carried the surname likely living near a windmill or taking part in some manner of profession related to windmills.
In many cases, spelling variants and alternative surnames helped differentiate many individuals with the same surname who lived in the same geographic area. In some cases individuals may have changed their surname to gain entrance into another country. That said, some of the variants for Windmiller include Wenmiller, Windmeier, Windmoeller, Windmeer, Windmeyr, Windmoyer, Windmeuler, Windmüller, Windmyer, and Wymiller.
Overall, the people who carry the surname Windmiller likely have the same German ancestors, despite the spelling variant, and many are descendants of the same early settlers.
Famous people with the name Windmiller
- Laura Windmiller: Grammy-nominated American singer, known most notably for her 2014 album, Buy It Now.
- Elizabeth Windmiller: Professional wrestler from Chicago.
- Martin Windmiller: renowned German poet and translator.
- Margot Windmiller: French Olympic track and field athlete, gold medalist in the 800m.
- Nathan Windmiller: American actor and director, known for his roles in hit movies including Jurassic World and Spiderman: Homecoming.
- David Windmiller: Artist and graphic designer from Massachusetts.
- David Windmiller: independent producer and composer, who has written music for a wide range of films and television shows, such as The Big Bang Theory and Saturday Night Live.
- Joan Windmiller: prolific American author, known for her novels, such as The Memory of Water and Pass the Salt.
- Karl Windmiller: Award-winning Austrian filmmaker whose credits include the documentaries Berlin, Berlin and one World, One Soul.
- Frank Windmiller: Major League Baseball player who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves and Chicago White Sox.