Surname Grossmeyer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Grossmeyer: What does the surname Grossmeyer mean?
The last name Grossmeyer is of German origin. The name literally means “greater master” or “great master”, and likely originated from the Low German word grosmeyster. This last name is likely derived from a profession, as it was commonly given to one of higher social standing than the common people.
During the Middle Ages, many families immigrated to Germany from Central Europe, including the Netherlands, Poland, Bohemia, and Hungary. As a result, the use of the name Grossmeyer as a surname was especially popular in the area now known as the Czech Republic and Germany.
The surname Grossmeyer is often spelled various ways, including Grossmeier, Grossemeyer, and Großmeyer. The use of the name carries a lot of pride and honor, and often implies nobility among its wearers. Today, people from all over the world carry the surname Grossmeyer, and the respect the name carries is still held in high regard.
Order DNA origin analysisGrossmeyer: Where does the name Grossmeyer come from?
The surname Grossmeyer may be found most predominantly in North America, particularly in the United States, where it ranks 16,097th in popularity as of 2019. It may also be found in some parts of Germany, though it is more uncommon compared to its presence in North America.
The etymology of the name comes from the Middle High German language, deriving from the Old German word “gross” meaning “great, big, tall” and the suffix “meyer” meaning “ Mayor” or “ administrator.” It is thought to have been an occupational name, likely used to refer to a mayor or other public official.
In the United States, the surname can be found in most states, though it is most common in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Iowa. Many families have claimed to have roots in Pennsylvania, where the surname can be distinctly traced all the way back to the 1700s. The Pennsylvania Dutch have an abundance of families with this surname within their demographic, though its prevalence is decreasing over time.
The surname’s prevalence is also decreasing in other contexts, with the name Grossmeyer being thought to be the most uncommon German name in the United States. It is increasingly being replaced by surnames with a similar spelling, but are of a different origin, such as Grossman or Grossmann.
Variations of the surname Grossmeyer
Grossmeyer is an Ashkenazic Jewish surname of German origin. The main variants and surnames of Grossmeyer include Grossmayer, Grossmaier, and Grossmair. These variants of the same surname originate from the same ancestral roots, but are spelled differently due to the various languages they were written in during the German-speaking migration periods.
Grossmeyer is often found in relation to the German words ‘gross’ and ‘Meier,’ meaning ‘nobleman’ or ‘mayor.’ In this light, families bearing this surname likely had a history of nobility or governing. It's sometimes also found as a representation of the Polish word ‘gramy,’ meaning ‘brother.’ This would signify that families with this surname shared a common ancestry or origin in the German-speaking region.
In addition to these variants, Grossmeyer is sometimes also found in connection with the Jewish surnames Großschmidt, Großman(n), and Großmann. These names all belie an origin in Germany and may represent a common ancestral root.
In the United States, Grossmeyer can be found in various spellings such as Grossmeier, Grossmeyer, Grossmyer, and Grossmayer. All these variations of the same surname signify a German origin.
Famous people with the name Grossmeyer
- Cardinal Dolan Grossmeyer: an American Roman Catholic clergyman who served as the Archbishop of the military services from 2009-2020
- Manny Grossmeyer: American actor and voice-over artist
- Johanna Grossmeyer: Austrian figure skater
- Ander Grossmeyer: American soccer player
- Eric Grossmeyer: American Native American basketball coach
- Amalia Grossmeyer: Italian film director mainly known for her documentary films
- Leo Grossmeyer: American mathematician and game theorist
- Robert Grossmeyer: German-American physicist and inventor
- Monika Grossmeyer: Austrian clarinetist and composer
- Franz Grossmeyer: Swiss alpine skier and four time Olympian