Surname Germar - Meaning and Origin
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Germar: What does the surname Germar mean?
The last name Germar is derived from an Old Germanic term meaning "yearning for honor". It was commonly given to people from a noble or affluent background who had the ambition to achieve greatness. The name symbolized a pursuit of social standing and the desire to be well-respected.
In Germany, the name Germar has often been found in aristocratic circles, as it reflects a sense of aspiration which many prominent families strove to embody. The name is also common among the upper echelons of the business and political world in Germany, as it suggests ambition and drive.
Additionally, the name Germar can be found in other countries, such as the United States. It has been anglicized as Germar, Garner, and Germaine - all expressing the same sense of ambition for success and recognition.
Although originally given to those with aristocratic backgrounds, the last name Germar has also become a symbol of those who strive to make a name for themselves, no matter their backgrounds. It evokes a sense of strength, willpower, and perseverance, as well as the desire to reach great heights. To this day, holds a powerful connotation of success and social mobility.
Order DNA origin analysisGermar: Where does the name Germar come from?
The last name Germar is a relatively rare name today. It is mostly found in Germany and a few other German-speaking countries, including Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. It is also common in countries of Central and Eastern Europe, especially those with large populations of ethnic Germans, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania.
The surname Germar is believed to be derived from Latin and Germanic words, likely referring to a “spear, lance, or javelin". It is also said to have first appeared in the 16th century, to which it has spread across the regions mentioned above.
In 1871, the German Empire was established, leading to an increase in the number of German emigrants across the world, resulting in a wider distribution of the Germar surname. Germany is believed to be the largest contributor to present-day countries with a notable population of Germar family members, but due to the migrations of the 19th and 20th centuries, it can now be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other parts of the world.
In the United States, the Germar surname is especially common in Texas, and also found in the western states of California and Arizona, as well as parts of the Midwest and Northeast. In Canada, cities such as Montreal, Ottawa, Saskatoon, and even remote places like Igloolik have reported a presence of the Germar family name.
Although the Germar name is still quite rare in comparison to some other surnames, it’s easily traceable and still found in many places today.
Variations of the surname Germar
The surname Germar has many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. Gairmar, Gearmar, Geermaer, Geermaar, Geymer, Geymar, García, Garamendi, Garmer, Garcés, Garcí, Garmendá, Garmende, Garmendia, Geimenes, Geremendia, and Germenes all have the same origin as Germar. Each of these variant surnames has a unique origin that stems from the original Germanic surname.
The earliest recorded use for Germar dates back to 887 AD and was a family of Saxon nobility. It is believed to originate from the Germanic name Gairo, who were known to possess lands in what is now Lower Saxony. This name is derived from the Old High German gair (spear), and meri (famous).
By the 16th century, the surname Germar was used by several families throughout the Low Countries and Germany. This surname was then taken to Iberia, with variants appearing in Spain, Portugal and even parts of Latin America.
The descendants of the earliest records of Germar families in America were Bernardo de Garmendia, who settled in Louisiana in the 18th century and Miguel Germa, who also settled in Louisiana in the same century.
In the US, the most commonly used variant of the Germar surname is García, followed by Geymer and Germa. All variants of this surname are, however, still used by families within the US community.
Famous people with the name Germar
- Elmar Germar: German Olympic swimmer, competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.
- Paul Germar: German politician from the Christian Social Union in Bavaria political party, and former First President of the Bavarian Administrative Court.
- Maria Germar: Romanian operatic mezzo-soprano and actress.
- Alex Germar: Austrian former football player and current manager.
- Philipp Germar: German rower, won a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
- Paul Germar: Slovenian engineer and inventor, known for the Paul Germar Engine.
- Simon Germar: German chef and restaurateur, renowned for his creative and modern cuisine.
- Henrick Germarsen: Danish former major general, recognised for his military service in World War II.
- Georg Germar: German composer, known for his pioneering work in the early electronic and experimental music genres.
- Karl Germar: German sculptor, known for creating the busts for the monument, the Germar Monument.