Surname Echtermeier - Meaning and Origin

Echtermeier: What does the surname Echtermeier mean?

Echtermeier is a German surname that comes from the Middle Low German roots “eht” and “mār”. The first part of the name means either "sharp" or "true", while the second part "mār" likely means "meadow". This means that the name could be interpreted to mean "true meadow". It is also possible that it is a truncated version of a longer name, such as “ichte[r]meier”, which could mean “true[ly] working meadows” or “divine dwelling meadow”.

The Echtermeier surname arose with the feudal system in the Middle Ages. During this time, many of the commoners adopted surnames based on where they lived or what they did for a living. This surname likely refers to a family who lived on or near a true meadow, making a living off the land. Alternatively, if it was derived from “ichte[r]meier”, it could have been given to someone in an elevated position within society.

Today, the Echtermeier name is a common one in both Germany and the United States. It is relatively rare elsewhere, however, due in part to restrictive immigration laws in other countries. Due to its German origin, anyone bearing the name is likely to trace his or her roots back to Germany and the Germanic lands of Central and Northern Europe.

Echtermeier: Where does the name Echtermeier come from?

The last name Echtermeier is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Europe. In Germany, it is the 1,173rd most frequent name. It is most concentrated in the northern part of the country, particularly in the states of Lower Saxony, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg. In Austria, it is the 3,756th most common name, especially in the eastern regions of Styria, Lower Austria and Vienna. It is also found in Switzerland, mainly in the western part of the country.

In North America, the name Echtermeier is also present. In the United States, it ranks as the 2,097th most frequent name in terms of frequency and can be found in almost all states, but is most commonly encountered in the Midwest and Great Lakes region. It is also most frequent in the city of Chicago, Illinois. In Canada, it is most frequent in the province of Ontario, particularly in Toronto. It also appears in smaller numbers in all other Canadian provinces.

The last name Echtermeier has spread to other parts of the world, especially in South America, and is also frequently encountered in countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Zimbabwe. The family genealogy may trace back to Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, and variants with slight changes in spelling may be encountered in different countries.

Variations of the surname Echtermeier

Echtermeier is a surname of German origin and is derived from the words Echt (true/genuine) and Meier (landholder/mayor). It can have several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, including Echtmeier, Echtemeyer, Echtemeier, Achtemeier, Ectemeyer, Ettermayer, Ettemeyer, Ettermeier, Ettermeir, Ettermier, Ettmeier, and Ecktermayr.

Echtermeier is a more modern surname in Germany, with records mostly found in the 19th century. It is also found in other countries such as the United States and in Switzerland. The spelling can vary within each of these countries, as well as between them. In the US, it is often spelled as "Ecktermayer" or "Ecktermair".

The Echtermeier spelling is especially common in the region of Thuringia in Central Germany. Today, there are many towns that incorporate this surname, including Echtermeiersmuehle, Echtermeiershof, and Echtermuehle.

Variations of the Echtermeier surname can also include the older spelling of "Achtermayr". This spelling is sometimes found in old records from Thuringia from as far back as the 1500s. The spelling could also change slightly, such as "Echtmeyr" or "Echtmeyer", as it passed down through generations.

Throughout the years, various variations of the Echtermeier surname have evolved, but all of them can be traced back to the same origin. Although there is much variation in the spelling, the meaning remains the same: a landholder or mayor who was considered to be genuine or true.

Famous people with the name Echtermeier

• Diane Echtermeier: is a former American politician from Missouri. She was an advocate for women's rights, social issues and education.
• Nick Echtermeier: is an award-winning poet based in Austria. He has been featured in various magazines and has traveled international on his art project “Steppe Passages”
• Petra Echtermeier: is an accomplished gymnast from Germany who has won medals in three separate Olympic games.
• Eric Echtermeier: is a multi-instrumentalist and composer from California. He has composed for various TV shows and movies, including “The Goldbergs” and “Jurassic Park”.
• Carla Echtermeier: is a professional golfer from California who was a member of the US Women's National Team and is now a golf instructor.
• Ingrid Echtermeier: is an acclaimed actress from Germany who has acted in numerous films and television shows. She has won numerous awards for her performance in the film “Hale County”.
• Helmut Echtermeier: is a professional football (soccer) player from Germany who is currently playing for Barcelona.
• Mary Echtermeier: is an American pastor and educator who is best known as the founder of The Valley Summit Academy in California.
• Kristin Echtermeier: is a German businesswoman and philanthropist who is the founder and CEO of the charity organization ‘The Wise Way Foundation'.

Other surnames

Echtermeyer