Surname Kirchmayer - Meaning and Origin
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Kirchmayer: What does the surname Kirchmayer mean?
The last name Kirchmayer is of German origin and is a topographic name derived from 'Kirchmayer' meaning someone who lived near a church. Its original meaning was derived from the Medieval German word 'kirich', meaning 'church', plus 'mayer', which means 'mayor'. The name could also have referred to an official responsible for the maintenance and taxation of a church.
Kirchmayer is a relatively rare name, but can be found in various records dating back to the Middle Ages. During this period, many people moved into the area of Erasmusland, especially Prussia, taking names that described the location of their origin. This makes it difficult to trace back how far the Kirchmayer name goes, but it is believed that it was first used in this area since the 17th century.
In present times, the name is still associated with being related to a church and with maintaining it. It is a respected surname and is still used by many people of German descent around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisKirchmayer: Where does the name Kirchmayer come from?
The last name Kirchmayer is currently most common in Austria, the Czech Republic, and Germany. It is believed to originate from the area between the Danube and the Alps. It is believed to have originated as a status name for someone who worked for a koerchma, or local official, in the Middle Ages.
In Austria, the name widely spread out from the eastern part of the country, around Vienna, and westward to Innsbruck. It is also still found in other Alpine regions. In the Czech Republic, the name is often found in the region near the border with Germany.
In Germany, the name is most common in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, and within the Catholic region of the country. It is also found in other southern regions, as well as in the state of Lower Saxony, in northern Germany.
Additionally, Kirchmayer is found in other parts of Europe, particularly France and Switzerland, as well as in other countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Kirchmayer
Kirchmayer is a German surname of several distinct origins. One of the most common is as a locational name, derived from Kirchmair, a place near the city of Salzburg in Austria. This spelling is more commonly seen in Austria and Germany. Elsewhere in Europe, it can be spelled Kirchmeier, or variants of this such as Kirchmaier, Kirchmair, Kirmair, Kerchmayer, and Kirchemier.
Americanized versions of the name are often written as Kirchmayer, Kirchmeyer, Kirmayer, Kirchmeir, Kirchmeier, Kerchmayer, Kermayer, Krichmayer, Kechemier, and Kerckmeier. These spellings are more consistent with the American style of spelling words phonetically.
The surname Kirchmayer is also related to the name of the Polish city of Krakow, appended with the Germanic suffix of -mayer. This leads to spellings such as Krakmayer, Krakmayer, and Krakmeier, which can sometimes be found among Germanic-speaking populations.
Additionally, there are various name variants with similar meanings. These include Kirchmaier, Kirchaway, Kirchmer, Kermier, Kerckmaier, Kressmayer, and Kerksmaier.
In all, the various spellings and related surnames of Kirchmayer give us a broad range to choose from; all descending from the same central source, and while each may lead to a slightly different interpretation of the name's origin, all Akst descend from a single source and story.
Famous people with the name Kirchmayer
- Elvira Kirchmayer: A German composer, pianist and harpist.
- Gotthold Kirchmayer: A noted German historian and literary critic.
- Hans Kirchmayer: A German mathematician.
- Karl Kirchmayer: A former German professional footballer.
- Ludwig Kirchmayer: An Austrian Expressionist painter.
- Maximilian Kirchmayer: An Austrian academic lawyer and statesman.
- Peter Kirchmayer: A former German Judoka.
- Jacob H. Kirchmayer: An American academic and professor at the University of Florida.
- Timothy Kirchmayer: An American screenwriter and director.
- Erich Kirchmayer: A German Catholic theologian and professor of the University of Regensburg.
- Joachim Kirchmayer: A German physicist and educator.
- Kurt Kirchmayer: An Austrian opera singer.
- Siegfried Kirchmayer: A military doctor and member of the German National People's Party.