Surname Bonnemeier - Meaning and Origin

Bonnemeier: What does the surname Bonnemeier mean?

The last name Bonnemeier is of German origin and is derived from the Middle German word "Bonnemair" which translates to "good master". The spelling of the surname was altered in the 17th century, and likely was influenced by some kind of orthographic change that was popular during that time.

Originally, Bonnemeier was likely a surname used by a well-to-do member of a medieval German family. It was likely a title of great respect, as the term “Maier”, which has a similar meaning, was predominantly used to denote a high ranking or noble status.

Originally, the name Bonnemeier was a term of endearment, but over time, it became a surname that was passed down through generations. In most cases the surname was applied to any free man or woman who resided in the same locality as other Bonnemeiers.

Bonnemeier is not a particularly common last name, but it is found in a number of countries including Germany, the United States, and even in some South American countries.

Bonnemeier can be a great source of pride for those who share the name. The name carries with it a distinguished history and a story of persisting through a number of generations. It is a reminder of how far ancestors have come and how the roots of one's past can be traced back through family.

Bonnemeier: Where does the name Bonnemeier come from?

The last name Bonnemeier is most commonly found in parts of Germany today. The surname Bonnemeier has its origins in northern Germany, including the states of Hannover, Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg, Pomerania, Prussia, and Westphalia.

Records of the surname Bonnemeier date back to the 13th century, when a prominent family in northeastern areas of Germany became known as the Bonnemeiers. It is likely that the family originated near the Rhine, due to the frequent presence of the name in the area today.

In addition, the name appears on church records in parts of western German states. The Bonnemeiers were historically associated with the area between Minden, near Hannover, and Krefeld, further north.

The Bonnemeier family was likely been composed of craftsmen, due to surviving records of Bonnemeiers who were clerks, bakers, and millers. The name is found today mostly in the German states of Brandenburg and Saxony, where it is still shared by a surprising number of people.

The highest concentration of people bearing the Bonnemeier name is now located in Cologne and nearby areas in Germany. In addition, smaller numbers of people with the name can also be found in Germany’s capital Berlin and in other small cities such as Schwerin and Lübeck.

Variations of the surname Bonnemeier

The surname Bonnemeier has a number of variants that share the same origin from all over Europe. Most common spellings include Bonemeier, Bonmeier, Bonnemeier, Bonemeijer, Bunemeijer, Bunmeijer, Bunnekeijer, and Borremeijer. Other spellings may include Bonnmeijer, Banmeijer, Boonmeijer, and Bronnemeijer.

Certain geographical regions have unique variations of the surname. For example, in German-speaking countries, the name can become Bonhöfer or Bonhoffer, and in Scandinavia, the name may be spelled Bonnemar. Some Dutch-speaking regions may see the spelling Bonemeier turn into “Boene” or ”Boon”, while other Dutch regions may have the spelling turn into Bonemayer, Bonmayer, or Bonnemyer.

Sometimes, depending on the region, surnames with similar pronunciations can be adopted and used interchangeably, such as the variants of Bonemeier and Bonnekeijer, which are mostly seen in the Dutch Low Countries. Other surnames of related origin include Boonmeister, Bunnemeyer, Bunnmayer, Bunijer, Bunniker, Bunnikmeyer, Bunnikmeyer, and Bunmeyer.

In some cases, people who carry the name Bonnemeier may have converted from Judaism and the surname may have been anglicized and changed from a German Jewish original of Bonnheimer or Bermann.

In some cases, the surname may have been altered over time due to translations or transliterations moving between various cultures and languages. The Greek equivalent of the surname may be Bonera, while people with the surname in France may be seen as Bonnefoy, Bonnefoi, and Bonnens. Lastly, in Hungary, the surname can be found as Bunmező.

Famous people with the name Bonnemeier

• Mannyu Bonnemeier: Brazilian entrepreneur and former professional soccer player.
• Mike Bonnemeier: American activist and retired Marine Corps Major.
• Billy Bonnemeier: British-born Nigerian stand-up comedian.
• Natalie Bonnemeier: American actress, singer-songwriter and drummer.
• Daniel Bonnemeier: German hockey player and current sporting director for Augsburger Panther.
• Ina Bonnemeier: German author and playwright.
• Jill Bonnemeier: American freelance writer for the LA Times, Sacramento Business Journal, and New Mexico Business Weekly.
• Simon Bonnemeier: Australian professional rugby league footballer.
• Peter Bonnemeier: Danish professor of divinity, pastor and author of several popular books in theology.
• Samuel Bonnemeier: German mathematician and university professor.
• Ruth Bonnemeier: Austrian pharmacologist and university professor of pharmacy.
• Paul Bonnemeier: American real estate investor and former college football coach.
• Edwin Bonnemeier: English singer, songwriter, and actor.
• Allen Bonnemeier: American business executive and financial services professional.
• Richard Bonnemeier: German industrialist and political activist.
• Carolyn Bonnemeier: American artist, poet, and musician.
• Barry Bonnemeier: American ace fighter pilot of WWII.
• Sophia Bonnemeier: Australian artist and sculptor.
• Mark Bonnemeier: British-born Australian entrepreneur and international fashion designer.
• Bob Bonnemeier: American expert in forensic pathology.

Other surnames

Bonnemeyer