Surname Kordsmeier - Meaning and Origin

Kordsmeier: What does the surname Kordsmeier mean?

The last name Kordsmeier is a German toponymic surname derived from the Middle High German words cord, meaning “rope," and meier, meaning “mayor". This surname is typically found in the Rhineland, a region of Germany bordering both France and Belgium.

The name is likely to have referred to the Germanic profession of mayordomus cordus, mayors of the rope, also known as mayors of bridges and dykes, which was common in certain areas of Germany. They were responsible for maintaining and protecting the area’s dykes and ditches, particularly from flooding, and for the repair and maintenance of associated bridges. This job was a vital and time-consuming one, requiring individuals, such as town officials, to dedicate large parts of their lives to it in order to ensure the welfare of their community.

The name Kordmeier likely would have been given to such individuals or their families, distinguishing them from others in their area who did not possess these important skills. It is possible that, over time, the name was Anglicized and adopted by other countries, such as the United States.

Today, there are various forms of the Kordsmeier family name, such as Kordsmeiers, Cordesmeyers, Kordesmeiers, and Cordesmayers. Although it originated as a Middle High German term, Kordsmeier is increasingly popular throughout many areas of the world, a fitting testament to the importance of this ancient profession.

Kordsmeier: Where does the name Kordsmeier come from?

The surname Kordsmeier is most commonly found residing in Germany and other parts of Europe, such as Belgium and Luxembourg. It is also a very common surname in the United States, and in particular, many areas in the Midwest, especially Missouri.

The highest concentration of individuals bearing the name Kordsmeier in such areas can be found in the states of Missouri, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. It is not a common name to find across the rest of the country, though it can be encountered in other states from time to time.

The origin of the name is from a Germanic background, indicating that it would be found most commonly in such areas. The word 'Kordsmeier' is believed to have derived from the German word 'Kordsmeier', meaning 'the master of a farm" or "farmer".

As such, this surname is more likely to be encountered in German-developed areas of the world than any other, though it can be found less frequently in parts of Europe as well as the United States. Those who are American-born are more likely of German heritage than any other due to the migration of Europeans in the 19th century.

Kordsmeier is also a common surname in the Netherlands, with records of such spelling variations across the country. In general, however, the current prevalence of the surname in Europe and the United States is very similar.

Variations of the surname Kordsmeier

The surname Kordsmeier is derived from the Old German given name Cord, which has a variety of spellings and variations. The original Germanic spelling of the name is Kordsmeier, but there are many other variations of this name, including Cordesmeier, Cordsmier, Kordmeier, Kordesmeijer, Kordtsmeier and Cordtsmeier. In addition to these variations, Kordsmeier can also be a patronymic surname which is derived from a father's name.

In Germany today the surname Kordsmeier is relatively common, but due to the number of spellings and variations available, many different forms of the surname can be found in various places throughout Europe. In the United States, the most common variant is Cordesmeyer, but variants such as Kordsmeijer and Cordtsmeier can also be found, although less commonly.

The Kordsmeiers originated in the Lower Rhine region of Germany and are mainly concentrated in North Rhine-Westphalia, where this surname is most common. But there are also other German-speaking countries where this name is popular. Austria and Switzerland also have many Kordsmeiers, and other forms of the surname has spread throughout the world.

In other countries, the spelling and surname variations of Kordsmeier are also quite common. In the United Kingdom, the spelling variances are Cordesmeyer and Cordmeijer, and in the Netherlands it is mainly Cordesmeijer. In Ireland the spellings are usually Cordtsmeier and Cordsmier.

In addition, some people with the surname Kordsmeier have changed the spelling to Cordysmeyer or Cordysmier over the years. This change has often been made to make the name pronounced more easily in certain cultures or languages.

So to summarise, the surname Kordsmeier can have many different spellings and variations, including Cordesmeier, Cordsmier, Kordmeier, Kordesmeijer, Kordtsmeier, Cordtsmeier, Cordesmeyer, Cordmeijer, Cordesmeijer, Cordtsmeier, Cordysmeyer and Cordysmier.

Famous people with the name Kordsmeier

• Ryan Kordsmeier: a professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent and has pitched for five different Major League Baseball teams.
• Justin Kordsmeier: a professional snowmobiler and stuntman, best known for his multiple appearances in the X Games.
• April Kordsmeier: an Olympic weightlifter, having competed in three Olympic Games from 2008-2016, most recently taking home the bronze medal in the 63kg weight class in 2016.
• Frank Kordsmeier: a former football punter who played in the NFL during the 1970s, playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Philadelphia Eagles.
• Ed Kordsmeier: a former professional Intermediate motocross racer who competed in both the AMA/District 37 and CMCGroup Championship circuits in the mid-1980s.
• Susan Kordsmeier: an Emmy-Award-winning costume designer, having worked on a number of television shows, including Forrest Gump, The West Wing, and The X Files.
• Brain Kordsmeier: a distinguished professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Arkansas, and a recipient of the National Science Foundation CAREER award.
• Steven Kordsmeier: a professional bull-rider winning the world amateur bull-riding championship in 1988.
• Tom Kordsmeier: a former United States Air Force test pilot who flew more than 150 aviation missions in support of Operation Desert Storm.

Other surnames

Kordsmeyer