Surname Kordsmeyer - Meaning and Origin

Kordsmeyer: What does the surname Kordsmeyer mean?

The last name Kordsmeyer is of German origin and was created by an individual in the late Middle Ages. It is derived from the Middle High German elements 'kord', meaning "rope-maker," and 'meyer', meaning "bailiff". Originally, a rope-maker was someone who created items out of ropes, such as fishing nets, cords, and more. Bailiffs were court officials, so a bailiff-rope-maker could have been a court official responsible for making items out of ropes.

Over time, the name Kordsmeyer evolved into a surname, given to individuals either directly tied to the rope-making craft or chosen as a surname to illustrate a family's respect for or connections to someone of tradesman-like rope-making talents.

Today, individuals who bear the surname Kordsmeyer continue to trace their families' origin in the German region, often having historic ties to Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Rhineland-Palatinate. Though the surname is perhaps considered somewhat rare today, people who bear the name are typically proud of their German roots and often partake in the German cultural traditions of the area of origin.

Kordsmeyer: Where does the name Kordsmeyer come from?

The last name Kordsmeyer is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a very old surname and comes from central Germany centuries ago. The name Kordsmeyer is derived from the German word "Kord", meaning cord or rope. The name is thought to have been given to an individual who made or sold ropes or similar items in the community.

The surname also appears in the United States, especially in the Midwest and southeast parts of the country. Immigrants from Germany began to arrive in the United States in the 19th century and many of them brought their Kordsmeyer last name with them.

The Kordsmeyer name can also be found in Austria and in other German-speaking countries in Europe. Because of the various spelling variations, the name may also appear in other countries such as France, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Today, the Kordsmeyer surname is found in significant numbers in both Germany and the United States. In the US, it is the 3,949th most popular surname, and in Germany, it is the 4,701st most popular surname. It is also to be found across most of the states in the US and all areas of Germany.

Variations of the surname Kordsmeyer

The surname Kordsmeyer has several variants and spellings which originate from the same source. Variants include Cordesmeyer, Cordysmeyer, Cordisheim, Cordesmeer, Cordesmeijer, Cordammeer, Cordaam, Cordesmayer, Cortesemeyer, Cortesmaier, Cordsmeyer, Cordsmeier, Kordesmeyer, and Kordsmeijer.

Many of these variants are believed to be regional variations in Germany and the Netherlands derived from the low German variant of Cordesmeyer. Cordesmeyer is thought to have been derived from the Middle High German (MHG) word ‘cort’ meaning ‘proud’ or ‘noble’ and ‘mes’ meaning ‘son’. Thus the original meaning of the surname Kordsmeyer is ‘son of the proud one’.

It is also possible that the name was derived from the MHG words ‘cor’ or ‘cort’ meaning ‘short’ and ‘meyer’ being a reference to the occupation of a mayor, thus meaning ‘the short mayor’. The many variants of the surname Kordsmeyer suggest that it became increasingly difficult to pronounce the name, which resulted in different spellings over time.

The variants of Kordsmeyer are all surnames of German and Dutch origin with significant migration to North America, particularly in states such as Pennsylvania, New York, and Illinois. Thus, many of the surname holders have adopted the variant spellings as they have emigrated to the United States and other countries.

Famous people with the name Kordsmeyer

• Eric Kordsmeyer: Former NFL player who was a defensive back for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Oakland Raiders.
• Christina Kordsmeyer: Political operative, entrepreneur and philanthropist who has served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor of Colorado and the former Region 8 Administrator for the Small Business Administration.
• Bryce Kordsmeyer: TV producer, author and entrepreneur who founded the production company Kordsmeyer Housed as well as the wellness company, Peak Performance Movement.
• Kristin Kordsmeyer: Nutrition expert and TV personality.
• Giselle Kordsmeyer: Businesswoman and model.
• Karen Kordsmeyer: Missionary nurse who serves with the Presbyterian Church in North America.
• Ryan Kordsmeyer: Award-winning cinematographer and executive producer.
• Emily Kordsmeyer: Voice actress and lead singer of the band, The Kordsmeyer Sisters.
• Tyler Kordsmeyer: Award-winning music composer and producer.
• J.D. Kordsmeyer: Member of the National Magazine Award-winning team at Oregonian Media Group.

Other surnames

Kordsmeier