Surname Sonnemeier - Meaning and Origin

Sonnemeier: What does the surname Sonnemeier mean?

The last name Sonnemeier is an old German surname, deriving from the combination of two words: "Sonne", meaning sun, and "Meier", meaning mayor or steward. This indicates that the earliest Sonnemeiers were affluent citizens in medieval German societies.

The Sonnemeier family name has been found throughout Europe over the past several centuries. Variations of the name in different countries include Sonnemeyer (Germany), Sonnemaier (Austria), Sohnemeier (Poland), and Sunemair (Switzerland).

At the root of this surname is a connection between the concepts of sun and mayor. Sun is a sign of prosperity, of hope, of life, and of stewardship. It stands to reason then, that the Sonnemeier lineage is linked to some kind of higher leadership, either real or spiritual.

The origin of the Sonnemeier surname is steeped in thousands of years of Germanic history and its meaning has taken the form of an interesting tale. In summary, the name signifies an affiliation to social importance, comfort, and financial prosperity—values that the Sonnemeier family has strived to uphold for generations.

Sonnemeier: Where does the name Sonnemeier come from?

The last name Sonnemeier is common primarily in Germany today. It is one of a number of German last names that originated during the Middle Ages, when many of the people living in present-day Germany adopted last names based on their occupations or regional origin. The term ‘sonne’, which is a part of the last name Sonnemeier, was used to refer to an individual’s trade or occupation.

Today, the last name Sonnemeier is most commonly found in the German state of Hesse. In this state, it is the 21st most common last name according to genealogy records. It is also fairly common in the German states of Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Hamburg.

Outside Germany, the last name Sonnemeier is also found in the United States and Canada. According to Census records, it is the 8,344th most common last name in the United States. Its frequency is highest in Illinois, Ohio, and Minnesota. In Canada, the last name Sonnemeier is most common among those of Germanic descent.

Given its German origin, it is not surprising that the surname Sonnemeier is most common in Germany today. However, it is important to remember that this last name is also found in countries such as the United States and Canada, even though it is far less common in these countries than in Germany.

Variations of the surname Sonnemeier

The surname Sonnemeier is derived from the German word "Sonne" meaning "sun" and the suffix "meier" meaning "steward of the manor". This suggests that the surname was likely the name of a manor steward who held his position by the power of the sun, symbolizing authority and power.

A variety of spellings and variants of Sonnemeier exist. Sonnemeier is also spelled Sonemayer, Sonnemeyer, Sonmejer, and Sonmeyer. Additionally, other surnames of the same origin include Sonnemeyer, Sonnemann, Sonnetan, Sonnermann, and Sonnemann.

The most common variant of the surname Sonnemeier is Sonnemann, which is also a topographic name for someone who lived near a sunny hill or place. Similarly, Sonnetan was a medieval diminutive form of Sonnemeier found mainly in the southwest region of Germany. The variants Sonnemeyer and Sonnemeyer refer to someone who worked for or lived near a lord of the manor who held his or her power by the power of the sun.

Furthermore, Sonmejer is an occupational surname for a house steward or estate manager, It is also found as a variant of Sommerjohann, which refers to a house steward or magistrate. Finally, Sonmeyer is the Low German variant of Sonnemeier.

In conclusion, the several variants and surnames of Sonnemeier reflect German cultural and social roles, suggesting that this surname was likely the name of a high-ranking individual, such as a house steward or estate manager.

Famous people with the name Sonnemeier

• Barrett Sonnemeier: American professional soccer player.
• Cortesia Sonnemeier: American businesswoman.
• Katherine Sonnemeier: American environmental activist.
• Peter Sonnemeier: German soccer coach.
• Steven Sonnemeier: German physicist and entrepreneur.
• Chris Sonnemeier: American film producer.
• Ursula Sonnemeier: German professor and historian.
• Mark Sonnemeier: American internet entrepreneur.
• Vincent Sonnemeier: Italian sculptor.
• Hans Sonnemeier: Swiss banker and philanthropist.

Other surnames

Sonnemeyer