Surname Kottmayr - Meaning and Origin
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Kottmayr: What does the surname Kottmayr mean?
The last name Kottmayr is of German origin and is believed to trace back to a man known as Kott. Kott itself is thought to be a short form of an old German personal name—such as Konrad, which means 'bold advisor.'
The name ‘Kottmayr’, therefore, is a combination of two elements—‘Kott’ and ‘mair’—with the latter meaning mayor or magistrate. Therefore, the literal translation of the surname can be interpreted as 'bold adviser mayor’, suggesting the individual of that name had the authority and wisdom to advise others.
Records from the Middle Ages indicate the Kottmayrs had rather influential status in Germany. During this time, the Kottmayrs mainly lived in Bavaria. By the 18th century, many had migrated to Austria, Tirol, and Bohemia, where the name still exists today.
The Kottmayr surname has produced famous people, including many prominent German actors, artists, politicians, musicians, and scholars. It is believed to be one of the oldest existing families in Europe.
Today, the last name Kottmayr is still common in Germany and is seen throughout parts of the former Austrian Empire. It is also seen in countries that had close connections with the governments of those territories, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisKottmayr: Where does the name Kottmayr come from?
The last name Kottmayr is most commonly found today in Austria, the German-speaking area of Central Europe. Historically, the Kottmayr name was primarily associated with Lower Austria, an area located at Austria’s eastern flank, bordering Slovakia and the Czech Republic, as well as the Czech-Moravian highlands in the west. The Kottmayr name is also found in the nearby areas of Styria and Salzburg in Austria, as well as in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and Germany.
In Austria, the Kottmayr name is believed to have originated during the Roman Empire and is of Latin derivation. Its earliest form, found in 12th-century documents, was Cothmaer. By the 14th century, the name evolved to its now-standard spelling.
The Kottmayr family is historically associated with the Austrian town of Guntramsdorf, located close to Vienna. Before World War II, the Kottmayrs held a farm in Guntramsdorf, which is still inhabited by the family today. Other branches of the family have become scattered across Austria, moving over to Styria and Salzburg, and later spreading to Vienna, Prague, and Budapest.
The Kottmayrs are known for being successful entrepreneurs and businessmen, having established themselves in different trades over time. Today, the family continues to work in various industries, including finance, agriculture, retail, IT engineering, and hospitality.
In conclusion, the last name Kottmayr is most commonly found in Austria and in nearby Central European countries. Historically, the Kottmayr family was associated with Guntramsdorf, and today the name continues to be associated with successful entrepreneurship and business.
Variations of the surname Kottmayr
Kottmayr is a German surname that originated in Bavaria. It is derived from the personal name Kott, which is derived from the Old German name Cottmund. The variants, spellings and surnames of Kottmayr can be attributed to changes in spelling adopted by different branches of the same family in different locations and over time.
The most common variants of Kottmayr are Kottmeir, Kottmeier, Kottmair, Kottmayer, Kottmair, and Kottmair. These variants are commonly seen in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
The spelling of the surname can also be changed according to the geographical location. The spelling of Kottmayr is Kottmay in its North German version, Kottmeau in its East German version, Kottmai in its West German version, and Kottmyra in its South German version.
Variants and spellings can also change due to spelling mistakes or intentional changes made by an individual or family branch. The surnames Kottmaier, Kottmair, Kottmaere, Kottmaar, and Kottman are all derived from the original spelling Kottmayr.
Kottmayr is also sometimes used as a given name, and as such it might undergo further changes in spelling. Examples of these are Koltmar, Kaltmer, Koetmar, Koitemar, Kottman, Kotenay, and Kottmar.
In conclusion, Kottmayr is a German surname, with numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, which can be attributed to changes in spelling due to geographical location, spelling mistakes, intentional changes, and its use as a given name.
Famous people with the name Kottmayr
- Wagner Kottmayr: A Brazilian politician. He is a member of the Democratic Labour Party, commonly known as PDT, and served two terms as a state deputy in Minas Gerais.
- Tom Kottmayr: An Austrian ski mountaineer and ski alpinist who competed for the national team in the 1990s.
- August Kottmayr: An Austrian writer. He wrote a novel called Kärntnerland and a memoir of life in Carinthia entitled Kriegsjahre in Kärnten.
- Tobias Kottmayr: An Austrian composer, best known for writing the score of the film Schindler's List. He has composed music for several film and television productions.
- Ernst Kottmayr: An Austrian composer and music theorist who wrote several theoretical treatises on tonality, key structures, and harmony.
- Ljuba Kottmayer: An Austrian-born American actress. She worked in Germany for several years before coming to the United States in the 1960s. She appeared in numerous films and television shows.
- Elise Kottmayr: An Austrian writer and filmmaker. She is the author of several books and made a documentary about an refugee camp in Salzburg, titled Not Welcome Here.
- Gert Kottmayr: An Austrian sculptor who specialized in animal figures. He is considered one of the pioneers of modern sculpture in Austria.