Surname Kleinmayer - Meaning and Origin
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Kleinmayer: What does the surname Kleinmayer mean?
The last name Kleinmayer is a German surname, meaning small, or little, Mayer. Mayer is derived from the Latin-based name, Majore, which is a rooted variation of the Hebrew word for "mayor". The name first became popular in Germany during the middle ages when it was commonly used to denote someone who held the position of mayor. This last name is a source of pride in Germany, as mayors in days gone by were held in high regard due to their ability to represent the citizens in matters of justice and civic responsibility.
Over time, the last name Kleinmayer has spread around the world. Today, it is most common in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and parts of the US, especially in areas with large German-speaking populations. Many Kleinmayers today trace their heritage back to the migrations that took place in the 19th century, when many Germans left their homeland in search of new opportunities in the US and other parts of the world.
Kleinmayer is a trendsetting surname and many people in modern societies are proud to bear the name as a testament to their powerful lineage. It stands for centuries of progress, innovation, and hard work, embodying the values of unity, patriotism, and responsibility that the family name was built upon.
Order DNA origin analysisKleinmayer: Where does the name Kleinmayer come from?
The last name Kleinmayer is most commonly found in areas of Central and Eastern Europe today. It is a Germanic surname originating in Bavaria, Germany, and has also spread to nearby regions such as Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia. This surname is found in both Germany and Austria, suggesting a shared history of migration of the same family into neighboring countries.
The surname Kleinmayer is a common variation of "Kleinmeier" or "Kleinmaier". It is derived from German words "klein" meaning small and "meier" or "maier" meaning mayor or steward. As such, it is likely a name given to someone in a lower-ranking noble class or someone who managed a feudal estate.
The surname can also be found in other parts of Europe, including the Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain, and the Scandinavian countries. It may have also spread throughout the rest of Europe via emigration or migratory patterns during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Today, the surname Kleinmayer is most likely to appear in records of Germany, Austria, and Central and Eastern European countries. In the United States, the surname is not particularly common, but has been seen in census records for many years.
Variations of the surname Kleinmayer
Kleinmayer is a German surname, most commonly found in the German-speaking areas of North America such as Wisconsin and Indiana. Although the spelling may vary, the origin of this name is likely to be the town of Kleinmayer, located in the Southern part of Germany in Bavaria.
Variations of the Kleinmayer name include Kleinemeyer, Kleinemeier, Kleinemayer, Kleinesmeyer, Kleinesmeyr, Kleinmair, Kleinmyer, Kleinsmeir, Kleinsmair, Kleinsmayer, Kleinmeyer, Kleinmyer, Klemayer, Klemayr, Klemmayer, Klemmayr, Klemmeir, Klemmeyr, Klimayr, Klimmayer, Klymayer, and Kymmayer.
The Kleinemeyer spelling is the most common variant, found in English and German language sources dating back to the 17th century. The German spelling Kleinemeyer can be found in numerous records from the same time period.
Surnames of related origin include Klay, Kleemann, Kleemayer, Kleemann, Kleimann, Kleynhans, Kleinschmidt, Klimke, and Kline. All of these names derive from towns or locales in Germany with “Klein” in the title, and occasionally other forms of the name, such as “Kleinemeyer”, “Kleinesmeyer”, and “Klemmeyr”, can be found in English language sources too.
Regardless of the spelling, the surname Kleinmayer is of German origin and has a rich history stretching back centuries.
Famous people with the name Kleinmayer
- Youlia Kleinmayer: a Croatian model and Miss Universe Croatia 2002;
- Ulrika Kleinmayer: an accomplished Swedish author and poet;
- Ruth Kleinmayer: an Austrian ski jumper who competed in five Winter Olympics between 1984 and 2002;
- Ralph Kleinmayer: a former German football goalkeeper;
- Johann Gottfried Kleinmayer: a German organist and professor at the University of Erlangen-Nuremburg;
- Andrew Kleinmayer: a Los Angeles based artist with a focus on creating unique, abstract paintings and prints;
- Ruth Kleinmayer: a visual artist, specializing in painting, photography, and printmaking;
- Jean Kleinmayer: a French musician and entrepreneur, known for founding the music label Chacruna Music;
- Erich Kleinmayer: a former Austrian Alpine skier who competed in four Winter Olympics between 1984 and 1994;
- Brigitte Kleinmayer-Michaelsen: a German politician and a member of the Bundestag;
- Nicole Kleinmayer: a German professional tennis player;
- Gerhard Kleinmayer: a former Austrian cross-country skier who competed in the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics;
- Simon Kleinmayer: an Austrian professional ice hockey player;
- Phyllis Kleinmayer: a former Canadian swimmer who competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics;
- Eva Kleinmayer: a former Australian alpine skier who competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics.