Surname Rothermer - Meaning and Origin

Rothermer: What does the surname Rothermer mean?

The surname Rothermer appears to be of German origin, but its exact meaning may not be widely known or documented. It could be a geographical name, derived from a place, town or region in Germany. It may also be an occupational surname, suggesting that the original bearers of the name might have been involved in a specific type of work.

However, it is essential to note that the spelling might have changed over centuries and through emigration, making the exact meaning hard to trace. Variations of the name, such as Rotherham or Rothermeyer, could provide additional insights into its original meaning.

The most prominent bearers of a similar name were the Viscounts Rothermere, a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom that was created in 1919 for Harold Harmsworth, co-founder of the Daily Mail newspaper.

In genealogy, the interpretation of surnames often requires careful study, including understanding the socio-cultural environment of the time when the name first began to be used, as well as understanding the linguistic and phonetic changes that may have occurred in the language from which the surname originates.

Rothermer: Where does the name Rothermer come from?

The last name Rothermer is a German surname derived from the words "rod" or "advisor" and "mür, müer or meir" meaning mayor. It is most common in parts of Germany today and can also be found in other countries across Europe, including Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic and Poland. In the United States, it is most commonly located in Pennsylvania, New York, California, Wisconsin and Ohio.

The earliest known bearers of the surname were found in the German city of Würzburg, living in the late 16th century. It is likely that the first members of the Rothermer family were political advisors and mayors during this period, and their influence on local affairs may have been the origin of the surname.

The peak in the number of bearers of the last name was in the 19th century during the period when many German immigrants arrived in the United States. Today, the surname can be found in most English speaking countries, and its influence remains worldwide.

Overall, the surname Rothermer today is most common in Germany, with many of the family’s descendants, as well as in other parts of Europe, the United States, and other English-speaking countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Rothermer

The surname Rothermer is believed to have originated from a place in Germany known as Rothemer, located in Lower Saxony. The name can be traced back to the late 18th century and is believed to have derived from the Old German word “hrod” which means “fame” combined with “mari” meaning “great.”

Variants of the surname Rothermer include Rothmer, Rother, Rothmaier, Rothmayer, Rothemeier and Rothemayer. Additionally, some spelling variations for this surname include Rothemare, Rothermare, Rothemer and Rothermeer. Common surnames of similar origin include Roth, Rothauser, Rothenberger, Rothenburger and Rothenbusch.

The variations in spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Rothermer reflect the fact that, when records were initially being kept centuries ago, scribes spelled the name according to how it sounded. They were likely not familiar with the proper spelling of this unfamiliar word, and so it appears in many forms over the centuries.

Famous people with the name Rothermer

• Karl Ludwig von Rothermer: prominent German statesman in the 19th century.
• Moritz Adolf Rothermer: influential German politician of the 19th century and mayor of Berlin.
• Arthur Rothermer: Member of Parliament of Prussia and president of the Superior Land Court of Prussia.
• Ludwig von Rothermer: chief priest and court chaplain of Duke Ferdinand of Bavaria during the end of the 18th century.
• Albert von Rothermer: German historian and publicist of the 19th and 20th century.
• Gebrüder Rothermer: renowned German law firm and publishing house, founded in the beginning of the 20th century.
• Johannes von Rothermer: German civil engineer in the 19th century, known for his work on the German railroads.
• Fritz von Rothermer: notable German philosopher of the 20th century.
• Richard von Rothermer: German theologian of the 19th century, famous for his work on the Old Testament.
• Martha von Rothermer: prominent German landscape artist of the early 20th century.

Other surnames

RothermalRothermelRothermundRothermundt