Surname Kirchmajer - Meaning and Origin
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Kirchmajer: What does the surname Kirchmajer mean?
Kirchmajer is an occupational surname of Germanic origin. It refers to a person who serves as a pastor or minister in religious services and is derived from the German words 'kirche' meaning church and 'majer' meaning master or servant. Historically, there were many priests, ministers, and chaplains with this surname who served in a variety of positions within the Church.
In some cases, the last name can be traced back to an old village or religious center. In the mid-13th century, the Kirchmajer name was established in several areas around Munich, Germany. In the centuries that followed, people of this name could be found in various localities throughout modern-day Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
In the United States, the first-known bearer of the Kirchmajer name is believed to have arrived in Philadelphia in 1737. Since then, the surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin, but it can also be found throughout many other states as well.
The Kirchmajer name also has a tradition of prominence. Throughout its bellwethers have been schoolteachers, bankers, merchants, and farmers. Many Kirchmajers have had great success in business and industry, and several notable figures have borne this name.
Ultimately, the Kirchmajer surname is one of deep roots and tradition, and the family has left an indelible mark on its homeland and its diaspora. For those carrying this name, Kirchmajer is more than just a name — it's a symbol of one's strong and proud heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisKirchmajer: Where does the name Kirchmajer come from?
The surname Kirchmajer is most commonly found today in the Central European regions of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, as well as the United Kingdom and the United States.
In Austria, records from Deutschkreuz, Niederösterreich, and Oberösterreich show more than two hundred individuals with the Kirchmajer surname. In Germany, the name Kirchmajer is concentrated mainly in Bavaria, with a few records in East and West Prussia, and a handful in other German regions. It has also been discovered in Switzerland in Appenzellerland, Basel-Landschaft, and a few other locations.
The United Kingdom boasts records of the Kirchmajer name in London, Devon, Yorkshire, and other locations. In the United States, the states of New York, Pennsylvania, California, Texas, and New Jersey all have traces of the Kirchmajer surname.
Localized records of the surname have been uncovered in New Zealand, Canada, and Hungary, meaning the Kirchmajer name may have spread to other parts of the world over the centuries.
Given its Central European roots, the Kirchmajer surname is most widely found today in the states of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, as well as the United Kingdom and the United States.
Variations of the surname Kirchmajer
The surname Kirchmajer (also spelled Kirchemayer, Kirchmayer, Kirchemajer, Kirchmayer, Kirchemayer, and Kirchmajer) is of German origin and is an occupational surname meaning “Church Mayor”. Variants of this name include Kerchmeyer, Kerchmuller, Kerchmiller, and Kerchmoller. It likely originated in Bavaria, as Kirchmajer is a popular surname in that region.
Other related surnames include Kirchmeyer, Kirchmueller, Kirchmaier, and Kirchmeir. These are derived from the original spelling of the surname, but with a slight alteration. Most of these surnames are also linked to the Church Mayor occupational origin of the surname – Kirchmaier is derived from the German word “Kerzmaier,” meaning “candle maker,” while Kirchmeir is derived from the German word “Kerzmeir,” meaning “candle seller.”
A common spelling of the surname is Kirchmayr, which is derived from the Bavarian variants of the surname Kirchmayer or Kirchmayr. It can also be found in the United States as an Americanized spelling of the original Kirchmajer.
Kirchmaier and Kirchmeir are two other spellings of Kirchmajer that can be found throughout Europe. They are likely German, though it is possible that they may have been modified through the influence of other languages. In any case, they are all derived from the original spelling of the surname, and likely share the same occupational origin.
In addition, there are several different versions of the surname outside of Germany, including Kirchemɪer in Austria, Kirchmajer in Scandinavia, and Kįrchmaejer in Holland. All of these are derived from the original German surname and likely have similar origins.
Famous people with the name Kirchmajer
- Denis Kirchmajer: Austrian judoka who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia
- Björn Kirchmajer: Swedish retired professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Minnesota North Stars
- Richard Kirchmajer: German freestyle swimmer who represented Germany at the 2008 Summer Olympics
- Pavol Kirchmajer: Slovak ice hockey player who formerly played for HC Slovan Bratislava in the Slovak Extraliga
- Zbigniew Kirchmajer: Polish long-distance runner who competed primarily in the 5000 metres
- Jaroslav Kirchmajer: Czechoslovak orienteering competitor who finished 12th in the individual event at the 1974 World Orienteering Championships
- Magdalena Kirchmajer: Polish boxer who competed in the women's flyweight event at the 2004 Summer Olympics
- Frank Kirchmajer: German-born Canadian artist and elastomer sculptor
- Helmuth Kirchmajer: Austrian bobsledder who competed in the mid-1960s
- Edgar Kirchmajer: Argentinian-German footballer who currently plays for Mödling in the Austrian Football Second League