Surname Nymeyer - Meaning and Origin
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Nymeyer: What does the surname Nymeyer mean?
The last name Nymeyer is of German origin and can be found most frequently in the Netherlands and in Germany itself. It is thought to have originally been derived from the German name of Nietmayer or Nietmeyer, with some variants even changing the spelling to Neimeyer or Neimayer. This surname has been used since the medieval period and is derived from the word 'niet' or 'neet', which in old German meant 'neither'. It was likely used to indicate someone who was of an undecided, 'middle of the road' nature, in their opinions or actions.
The other possibility is that it is derived from the German personal name 'Nieme' meaning 'he will protect'. Today, the Nymeyer surname is most commonly found in the Netherlands, with a small concentration of people called Nymeyer in Germany. It is however, starting to become increasingly common in the US and Canada as people migrate from their native countries to settle in these countries.
In general, people with the Nymeyer surname are thought to be honest, straightforward individuals who have an affinity for arts and music. They are considered to be reliable and responsible, with strong family values and loyalty towards their friends and family.
Order DNA origin analysisNymeyer: Where does the name Nymeyer come from?
The last name Nymeyer is common today mainly in Germany, the Netherlands, and parts of Scandinavia, though it has spread to other parts of Europe and the rest of the world since its origin in the late Middle Ages. Nymeyer has been a surname in Germany and the Netherlands since around 1400. In Germany, it was likely first used in the Rhineland region. Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, the surname is mainly found in Overijssel, Gelderland, and Groningen provinces.
Nymeyer is still an active surname in parts of Europe, with an estimated 1,800 bearers. In 2019, the Netherlands had 893 bearers, with an additional 50 in Denmark, 43 in Norway, and 14 in Sweden. In Germany, Frazier Nymeyer was a notable figure in the late 19th century, leading the campaign for the separation of church and state that would eventually occur in Prussia in 1872. Beyond Europe, Nymeyer is also found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa in smaller numbers.
Variations of the surname Nymeyer
Nymeyer is an uncommon Dutch surname, but there are alternative spellings and variants that are related to the same origin.
The primary spelling for this surname is Nymeyer, but this can also be written as Niemeijer, Niemeier, Nymeijer, Nymeyer, and Nymayer. The suffix “-meyer”, which was commonly used in the Netherlands in the 19th century, is derived from the Dutch term “meijer”, meaning “mayor”.
There are other variations of this surname that are derived from the same source and are found in the Netherlands. Notable variants include Nijmeijer, Nijmeijers, Nijmeijer, Neimeijer, Naimeijer, and Naimeijers.
Variants of this surname can also be found in other countries, particularly in Germany, where the surname can be written as Niemeyer, Niemeyers, Nymeyer, or Nymeijers. The same surname can also be found in Sweden, where it is commonly spelled Nymäyer, Nymyer, Nymeyer, or Nymey.
The origin of this surname is most likely related to a profession. It is thought that the first people who took on this surname were involved in the legal profession as mayors, magistrates, or lawyers in the Netherlands. Therefore, these variations all likely have some connection to the same source.
Famous people with the name Nymeyer
- Henry Nymeyer: a prominent Canadian film director and Emmy Award-winner who directed popular television series such as 'Bordertown', 'Twitch City', and 'Slings & Arrows'.
- Hermann Nymeyer: a celebrated German-born orchestra and choral conductor who was active from the 1940s and continued into the early 2000s.
- Bob Nymeyer: a record-holding olympic cyclist from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, who won the gold medal in the men’s kilometer time trial at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
- Bonnie Nymeyer: a Canadian professor, author, and former professor of social work at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada.
- Antti Nymeyer: a Finnish photographer and visual artist with a background in communication design, who has exhibited his photos internationally.
- Uno Nymeyer: a Danish tennis player, playing between 1899 and 1908.
- Hugo Nymeyer: an architect and sculptor from the Netherlands, prominently involved in the restoration of a number of churches and cathedrals.
- Fred Nymeyer: an American coal miner and politician from the late 19th century, most notably as Governor of the State of Washington from 1895–1899.
- Ellery Nymeyer: an American singer and songwriter, best known as the composer of the #1 hit song ‘Shake It Off’ by Taylor Swift.
- Darlene Nymeyer: a British-born American film producer and executive, who was behind well-known films such as 'Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk' (2016) and 'The Musketeer' (2001).