Surname Waasmeier - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Waasmeier: What does the surname Waasmeier mean?
The last name Waasmeier is of German origin and is derived from the name Wasmeier. The name Waasmeier is a combination of two elements: "was" meaning "brook" or "stream" and "meier" which is an occupational surname related to land-owning nobility which eventually evolved to mean "farmer". In other words, the name Waasmeier is a combination of elements that mean "stream farmer".
The name Waasmeier is most common in Germany, but has since spread to other parts of Europe, particularly the Netherlands. It has also spread to North America, South Africa and Australia with German immigrants. In some countries, the spelling of the name has been changed to Wassmeyer or Wisemyer.
The Waasmeier family have been living in the area since ancient times, with some very first documented records of the name in the Rhineland region of Germany in the 13th century. Those with the Waasmeier name are said to have strong leadership abilities and be natural problem solvers, which likely helped as they moved around to different countries and cultures searching for a better life.
Overall, the name Waasmeier is an occupation-based name derived from two Germanic elements meaning "stream farmer". Waasmeier family members are believed to have been farmers since ancient times and have since spread around the globe, taking their family name with them.
Order DNA origin analysisWaasmeier: Where does the name Waasmeier come from?
The last name Waasmeier is primarily found in Germany. It is a relatively rare but very old surname; it was first documented in the Free Imperial City of Aachen in 1248. The spelling has also changed over time; it was spelled "Waßmeir" in 1320. Waasmeier is also found in many other European countries, such as the Netherlands, France, and Belgium. It is also found in the United States, Canada, and other countries throughout the world.
In Germany, Waasmeier is especially common in the north. In the state of Schleswig-Holstein, 5.3 out of every 100,000 people bear the surname Waasmeier. Bavaria and Berlin follow closely behind with 2.6 out of every 100,000 people bearing the name. Berlin also features one of the oldest Waasmeier families in Germany, dating back from the 17th century.
Outside of Germany, Waasmeier is most commonly found in the Netherlands. Here, Waasmeier ranks in the top 10,000 of all surnames. It is also found in Canada (1 in every 412,226 people) and the United States (1 in every 944,343 people).
Given its German and Northern European roots, the last name Waasmeier is most commonly found in those parts of the world today.
Variations of the surname Waasmeier
Waasmeier is a surname of German origin. In German, the name is spelled "Wasmeier," and in Dutch, the spelling is "Waesmeijer." The most common variants for this surname are Wasmeier, Waesmeijer, Waasmeier, Wassmeier, Wassmeijer, Wasmayer, Vassmayer, and Wassmayer.
The spelling variations of the surname Waasmeier are attributed to dialectal differences and the pronunciation of the name. Depending on language and dialect, the 'W' at the beginning of the surname could be pronounced like the English 'V', resulting in the surname being spelled Vassmeier.
The early spelling of the surname is WassMA. This surname had been 'Wassemeyer' prior to the spelling change to Waesmeijer. 'Meyer' was an occupational name for a steward or administrator, and 'Wasse' was a form of the German term 'Waas', which means 'forest'.
In other regions of Germany, the pronunciation of Waesmeijer changed. In Austria, the name changed to 'Vassmeijer', and in Switzerland, records indicate the name was spelled 'Wasmaijer'. Over time, other spellings and variants were possibly added, such as Wasmiel, Wasmuel, Wassermeier, Wassmeijer, Wassmeyer, Wasmey, Wassmeijen, Wasmy, and Weismeier. In some areas of Germany, the name was shortened to Was or Wasse.
The surname Waasmeier has a long history in Germany, and despite the various spellings and surname variants, the origin is consistent.
Famous people with the name Waasmeier
- Joost Waasmeier: Joost is a Dutch former professional footballer and Republican Party leader, who is currently the director of Sparta Rotterdam.
- Marielle Waasmeier: Marielle is a professional Dutch volleyball player. She plays for the Dutch National Team and was part of the team that won gold at the 2015 European Championships.
- Marije Waasmeier: Marije is an artist and former deejay from the Netherlands. She is known for her work with producers such as Armin van Buuren, Tiësto and Ferry Corsten.
- Marnix Waasmeier: Marnix is a Dutch photographer and illustrator best known for his many publications on the subject of nature and the Dutch landscape.
- Edwin Waasmeier: Edwin is a Dutch career diplomat most recently serving as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Netherlands to the United Kingdom.
- Bas Waasmeier: Bas is a Dutch businessman and former professional footballer. He is the co-founder and president of Dynamid, an educational and consulting organization.
- Tim Waasmeier: Tim is a former Dutch professional footballer most recently playing for Feyenoord. He has also had stints with clubs in England, Italy and Spain.
- Mary-Alice Waasmeier: Mary-Alice is an American artist and poet living in Amsterdam, Netherlands. She has worked as a theatre director and was awarded the 2019 Poetry International Rotterdam Prize.
- Johannes Waasmeier: Johannes is a Dutch Olympic sailor, who competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics in Weymouth Bay, England.
- Elsbeth Waasmeier: Elsbeth is a Dutch chess-player, who gained international master status in 1985. She is a two-time Dutch champion and has been awarded the Dutch Order of Merit in 2002.