Surname Schindlmeier - Meaning and Origin

Schindlmeier: What does the surname Schindlmeier mean?

The last name Schindlmeier is of German origin. The name is derived from the German word “schindel”, which translates to “slate” or “shingle”, and “meier”, which means “mayor” or “lord”. As such, Schindlmeier likely describes a person who was either a craftsman working with slate, or a lord or mayor who oversaw a slate-making trade.

The last name likely arose during the medieval period, when many craftsmen and tradesman began to take on surnames indicating their profession or place of origin. In some cases, these descriptive surnames are still used by families today as a sign of respect for their ancestors.

The earliest known instance of the Schindlmeier surname appears in the records of the town of Riesa in Germany, in the year 1408. The person named was likely a mayor or lord in the town, or a craftsman working with slate.

The spelling of the surname likely changed slightly over time, as with any language. It has also spread to other countries, including the United States, in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Today, the Schindlmeier last name is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and the United States. It serves to honor the traditions and hard work of the people whose family name it is, by connecting them to a meaningful and often storied history.

Schindlmeier: Where does the name Schindlmeier come from?

The last name Schindlmeier is common today mainly in Austria and southern Germany. It is an old, aristocratic family name, with its bloodline dating back to the 10th century. According to Dictionary of German Names, the original spelling of the name was Sindelmeier. Over time, it was slightly modified to the modern spelling of Schindlmeier.

In Austria, the name is relatively common, particularly in the northern regions of Enns Valley and Salzkammergut. It is also common in Bavaria and in Bozen-Bolzano in South Tyrol. In fact, a 2020 population chart showed that this name was in the top ten most common surnames in Bozen-Bolzano.

The Schindlmeier family first became prominent in the 10th century, when a Heinz Sindelmeier, from the Enns Valley, was named a noble knight. Other earliest members of the family were landowners and farmers in Oberneustift in the 14th century. Some of these original family members were also said to have played important roles in the political arena of South Tyrol in later years.

In modern times, the Schindlmeier surname is still very much alive. Today, many of those bearing the name Schindlmeier are still proud of their family’s long history, which has been past down through generations. It is undoubtedly a popular last name in Germany, Austria, and South Tyrol.

Variations of the surname Schindlmeier

Surnames of the same origin as Schindlmeier have several variants, spellings and surnames. These can range from Schindlmeir to Shindelmier, and from Schnidlmyer to Schindlemeier. The origin of the surname is German.

Schindlemeier is the most popular spelling of the surname, usually referred to as either a patronymic or diminutive form of a similar name. It is believed to have begun as a nickname for someone who lived by a sign or marker. As such, Shindlemeier is often found in German records, being in use since at least the mid-17th century.

Schindlmeir is another variant of the name, which is also a patronymic / diminutive form, related to Schindlemeier. This spelling is typically found in Austria, and is seen as far back as the late 18th century.

Schnidlmyer is a variant of Schindlemeier, and is also a derivative of German given names such as Schnidhelm. This spelling is often found in German records dated as far back as the early 18th century.

Shindelmier is a variant of the surname Shindlmeir, and is believed to have originated in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is also a patronymic & diminutive form of the surname, with records of its usage as far back as the mid-19th century.

Overall, the spelling variations of Schindlmeier are numerous, and can be traced back over many centuries to the Middle Ages. Today, thousands of people around the world have this surname, and its variants, and can trace their ancestry back to their German roots.

Famous people with the name Schindlmeier

• Norbert Schindlmeier: German footballer. He was born in 1962 and played for Eintracht Braunschweig, Alemannia Aachen, and Schalke 04 in the 2. Bundesliga and Bundesliga.
• Andreas Schindlmeier: Austrian judoka. He was born in 1985 and competed in international tournaments such as the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
• Andrea Schindlmeier: German curler. She was born in 1972 and represented her country at four World Curling Championships.
• Maria Schindlmeier: Austrian ski racer. She was born in 1996 and won the Women's Super G at the 2017 Alpine Skiing World Cup in Crans Montana.
• Johann Schindlmeier: Austrian clockmaker, born in 1790. He is known for producing high-quality timepieces including mantle clocks and astronomical clocks.
• Bernhard Schindlmeier: German sculptor, active in the mid 19th century. He is known for his marble sculptures mostly created for private customers.
• Don Schindlmeier: American restaurateur. He founded the first Hardee's restaurant in 1960, a fast-food chain still popular today.
• Jan Schindlmeier: Dutch composer and conductor. He was born in 1964 and composed music for a number of films, plays, and television programs.

Other surnames

Schindlmeyer