Surname Bühlmaier - Meaning and Origin
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Bühlmaier: What does the surname Bühlmaier mean?
The last name Bühlmaier is an occupational surname derived from the German word "bühl," meaning "hill." This reflects the long association this name has with people who worked in areas related to hills, such as farmers, herdsmen, and hill guards. Over the centuries, this name has been adopted by many different countries, including Austria, Germany, France, and Sweden.
The earliest incarnation of this name appears in German records from before the seventh century. It has several alternate spellings, including Beuhl, Beul, Boel, and Buhl.
The Bühlmaier family shares its roots with other hill-related names such as Ackerman, which means "field worker," and Herrman, which means "nobleman." These are closely linked to the old German root word "herren," which means "lord" or "master." This association suggests that Bühlmaier families at one time belonged to or worked on farms owned by noblemen.
This specific last name is closely tied to the region of Bavaria, which is located in the south of modern-day Germany. It is believed that many members of the Bühlmaier family left Bavaria and its neighboring regions during the 19th century and early 20th century, settling in North America or other European countries.
The Bühlmaier last name today carries with it a strong sense of heritage and connection to Bavarian roots. Its association with hills and fields shows the many generations of hard work and tenacity that this family has carried with them for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisBühlmaier: Where does the name Bühlmaier come from?
The last name Bühlmaier is most commonly found in Germany, Bavaria, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. It is also occasionally seen in the United States, particularly in areas heavily populated by German immigrants.
Bühlmaier is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word "bühel" meaning "hilltop, ridge". This suggests that the first recorded individuals bearing the name may have lived in or near a hilltop. The ending "-maier" usually indicated an occupation such as estate manager, farmer, or butcher, though it could also mean "one from the region of the hilltop".
In Germany, the name is found mostly in Bavaria, where the 1901 German national census reported over 3,000 people with the last name Bühlmaier. The name is also relatively common throughout the rest of the country, particularly in western Germany, where many immigrants from Bavaria and Austria settled in the late 19th century.
In Austria, the surname appears to have originated in the province of Vorarlberg, which today is the westernmost province and borders Switzerland and Germany. The 1869 Austrian census reported over 800 people with the surname Bühlmaier.
In the United States, the surname is relatively rare, with just over 200 people bearing the name in the 2010 census. Because of the large amount of German immigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the name is most commonly found in states with large numbers of German immigrants, such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
Overall, the last name Bühlmaier is a German name, most commonly associated with the region of Bavaria, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. However, it can also be found in other parts of Germany, as well as the United States, particularly in states with large German-American populations.
Variations of the surname Bühlmaier
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Bühlmaier include Buhlmaier, Buehlmaier, Buhlmeyer, Buehlmeyer, Buhmeijer, Buehlmeyer, Buhlman, Buhlmann, Buhlmann, Buhlmüller, Buehlmiller, and Buhlmeijer.
The surname Bühlmaier is a German topographic surname derived from the Middle High German words "Byele" and "Meir," meaning a hill or mound that belongs to the mayor or lord. It originates from regions in Bavaria in Germany, where the family members once lived in the area around Byelle, which is located near Lake Chiemsee in the eastern Bavarian district of Traunstein.
The Byelle is believed to have been a religious center of the Celts and an important spot in ancient times, connecting the alpine regions with the Danube Valley, which allowed the largest tribe of Celts, the Boii, to introduce their culture and influence in this area. The Boii eventually were replaced by the Bavarians, who gave the region its name—Bavaria.
The spelling variations of Bühlmaier are largely due to the many dialects and times during which the name would have been written down. In some cases, the surname Bühlmaier can also be found in the form of Buhlman.
Variants of Bühlmaier, from various countries, make up some of the most common surnames found throughout Europe. While the surname is most common within Germany, it has also been found in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, France, Switzerland, and Austria.
Famous people with the name Bühlmaier
- Anke Bühlmaier, a German professional ice dancer
- Andreas Bühlmaier, a German journalist, editor, travel author and novelist
- Annegret Bühlmaier, a German politician
- Enzo Bühlmaier, a Swiss former footballer
- F. J. Bühlmaier, a German theologian
- Joy Bühlmaier, an American singer-songwriter
- Jutta Bühlmaier, a German alpine skier
- Marinus Bühlmaier, a German football manager
- Martin Bühlmaier, a German sculptor
- Werner Bühlmaier, a German musician and Vienna Boys Choir Chorister