Surname Winkelmeyr - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Winkelmeyr: What does the surname Winkelmeyr mean?
The last name Winkelmeyr is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German term winkelmaer, meaning “corner dweller” or “one who lived by a corner.” The root of the surname Winkelmeyr comes from the Old German Winkel, meaning corner, and Maer, meaning dweller. In a literal sense, this surname was given to someone who lived by or near a corner of a large estate, village, or other area. It could also refer to someone who lived on an estate or in a village with a very angled or crooked road. In this case, corner was used to describe the delta or turning in the road.
The surname Winkelmeyr was used to identify individuals living in the same area, and the same family over generations. It is still common across German-speaking countries today.
Winkelmeyr is said to be one of the oldest surnames in Germany and has spread to many other countries over time. The name is most prevalent in Germany today, with an estimated 21,000 people having the surname. It is not as widespread in other countries, but can be found in Austria, Poland, and the US.
The name Winkelmeyr is a constant reminder of where our ancestors lived. It is a symbol of the tradition and history of the family, as members who take this surname carry on its legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisWinkelmeyr: Where does the name Winkelmeyr come from?
The last name Winkelmeyr is most common today in Germany. This name is a German or Jewish surname derived from the German “winkel” meaning “angle or corner” and “meyr” meaning “mayor.” This name is of occupational origin, originally a designation for a mayor who presided over one of the four town quarters. The origin of the name was most likely in the region of South Germany around Frankfurt, while today it can be found in many parts of Germany.
The German-Jewish surname Winkelmeyr is also found in other countries, including various parts of Europe as well as the United States. In the past people with this surname likely migrated to other countries in search of work. This can be seen in parts of North America, where the Winkelmeyr surname is found in the United States and Canada. For example, Winkelmeyrs moved to Pennsylvania in the 1800s and Canadian provinces such as Saskatchewan as early as 1908.
The surname Winkelmeyr is today most commonly found in populous areas of Germany, such as Hamburg and Bavaria. However, it is also distributed worldwide, with people bearing this surname in other countries including Austria, Czech Republic, and Switzerland. For example, Austria has the highest frequency of people who carry the Winkelmeyr name, with over 5,000 people living in Vienna alone. Additionally, the Winkelmeyr surname is also growing in popularity in the United States, where over 500 people bear this name.
Overall, the last name Winkelmeyr is primarily found in Germany today, though in other parts of the world more and more people are carrying the name. It is likely that the surname was spread as people migrated from its origin in South Germany during the 19th century, as many families likely moved to other countries during this time for economic reasons. Today, the surname Winkelmeyr can be found all over the world, though it is primarily concentrated in areas of Germany.
Variations of the surname Winkelmeyr
The surname Winkelmeyr is an ancient Anglo-Saxon surname. It is derived from the Old English words wincel, meaning corner, and meiere, meaning mayor or bailiff. This family is believed to have been powerful landholders within their local community. As a result, the Winkelmeyr surname has been found in a large number of variations and alternate spellings over the centuries.
Some of the most common variants of this surname include Winchelmyer, Winklemeyer, Winklemeire, Winklermyer, Winklemyer, Winklemayer, and Winkelmayer. Less common spellings include Winkelmeier, Windelmeyers, and Winglemayr. Surnames of similar origin can include Winchelmayor, Winslemer, Winklemyre, Winkelsmyer, Wilmington, Wynsmyer, and Winselmyer.
The Winkelmeyr surname has been found in a wide variety of countries throughout the world. The earliest recorded references to this surname date back to the 12th century in England, where records indicate that a family of this name owned extensive landholdings. The family is believed to have then spread throughout Europe, including Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Spain, before eventually arriving in the United States in the 1700s.
Today, the Winkelmeyr surname is most commonly found in Germany and Austria, though there are still numerous variations of this surname throughout the world. It is believed to have come from a place-name, derived from a combination of "winkle" (a corner) and "mayer" (an official), indicating an origin of the family as powerful landholders in their local region. Whatever the exact origin of the Winkelmeyr surname, it is sure to have a long and interesting history behind it.
Famous people with the name Winkelmeyr
- Dr. Paul Winkelmeyr- A physicist and professor of theoretical particle physics and, among other things, co-created the theory of the Higgs Boson.
- Anita Winkelmeyr- A contestant on CBS’s The Amazing Race 2.
- Richard Winkelmeyr- A German industrialist who co-founded the Winkelmeyer steelworks in the 19th century.
- Julia Winkelmeyr- A contemporary Swiss artist best known for her metal sculptures and her “room installations.”
- William Winkelmeyr- A noted hydraulic engineer and railroad builder during the 19th century.
- Johannes Winkelmeyr- A German-born American general officer who served in the United States Army from 1888 to 1917.
- Anna Winkelmeyr- A contemporary German professional tennis player who has won two singles titles on the WTA Tour.
- Jack Winkelmeyr- A Canadian former ice hockey goaltender who played in the NHL for both the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Rangers.
- Miranda Winkelmeyr- A contemporary American film and television actress best known for her roles in The Uninvited, The 4400, and Supernatural.
- Hans Winkelmeyr- A German-born, American football coach who served as head coach of the St. Louis Gunners during the 1926 season.