Surname Käsmair - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Käsmair: What does the surname Käsmair mean?
The last name Käsmair is a German-language surname, which is derived from the words Käse (cheese) and meier (farmer). It is believed to have originated in Bavaria in the Middle Ages and is first recorded in 1538 in Feuchtwangen, Bavaria.
The oldest surviving family member with this surname is Anton Käsmair, born in 1578 in Theilheim, Bavaria. The Käsmair family was mainly known for their cheese-making ability and had a prosperous dairy farm, which is still operating today in Bavaria.
The Käsmairs were also prominent in politics over the centuries. The first recorded Käsmair politician was Johan Peter Käsmair, who was elected to the Bavarian Diet in 1679. The most renowned Käsmair politician was Franz Xaver Käsmair, who served in the Bavarian senate for thirty years.
The meaning of the last name Käsmair is thus associated with cheese-making, farming and politics. It signifies people from Bavaria with a tradition of cheese-making, demanding hard work, and a strong sense of integrity and commitment to public service.
Order DNA origin analysisKäsmair: Where does the name Käsmair come from?
The surname Käsmair is found mainly throughout Germany, although its presence has been recorded in several other countries as well. It is most commonly found in the south-western regions of the country, particularly in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Rhineland-Palatinate.
The area surrounding Käsmair is an important source of surnames for Bavarian families of today, and it seems likely that the name originates from this area. It could have been taken from the word "Kössmeier", which is an old German term for a village to which the local farmers brought their grain, or from the German word "Köster" meaning either a teacher or pastor.
In countries outside of Germany relatively few people bear the surname Käsmair. It can be found in Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, as well as abroad in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The presence of this surname in any given location is typically due to immigration, most likely stemming from people fleeing political or religious persecution in former European countries, or perhaps from soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian empire.
Regardless of its exact origin, the Käsmair surname is today most commonly associated with Germany. It is a very uncommon name and only a few hundred individuals bear it. As such, it remains an interesting reminder of those who have come before us.
Variations of the surname Käsmair
The surname Käsmair is a German and Austrian last name derived from the Middle High German word "Keseman", which means “a tailor or a clerk”. As a Germanic surname, various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin can be found.
Variations of Käsmair include Kaemmair, Kaesemayer, Kaesmair, Käsmaier, Käsmaiers, Käsmeyer, Käsmeier, Kasemyer, Kasemair, Kasmaire, Kasemeyer, Kasmayr, and Kasmeyer.
In Austria, the Käsmair surname can also be found as Kaisamer, Kaisemair, Kaismair, and Kassmaier.
In the United States, specifically those with Pennsylvania and Maryland German roots, the Käsmair surname has been Americanized to many variations, such as King, Kingman, Kingsman, and Kingmaker.
In Sweden and Finland, Käsmair has been changed to Kasimir.
In other nations, such as France and England, the name has been adapted to Latinate surnames, including Casimir and Caseimir.
Käsmair is the mostly commonly seen spelling of the surname, however, throughout centuries of migrations and changes in location, the many variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin have helped to make this surname one of the most widespread in the world.
Famous people with the name Käsmair
- Christian Käsmair: An Italian professional alpine skier and Italian champion.
- Steffen Käsmair: A German biathlete who competed in the 2002 and 2003 World Championships.
- Marcel Käsmair: A German professional footballer who currently plays for Swiss club FC Winterthur.
- Cornelius Käsmair: A German contemporary classical composer.
- Stefan Käsmair: A German professional ice hockey player who currently plays with the Adler Mannheim of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).
- Klaus Käsmair: A German scientist and Institute Director at the Vienna Institute of Technology.
- Christopher Käsmair: An Austrian professional skier who represented Austria in the 2006 Ski Jumping World Championships.
- Karoline Käsmair: A German professional swimmer who competed in the 2000 European Championships.
- Jakob Käsmair: An Austrian painter and sculptor.
- Johann Käsmair: An Austrian architect who designed several Baroque buildings such as the Schloss Veste Ansbach.