Surname Eickemeier - Meaning and Origin

Eickemeier: What does the surname Eickemeier mean?

The surname Eickemeier is a German name with occupational origins. It was traditionally used to describe people who were smiths or ironsmiths in medieval times. The name derives from the German word “Eisen,” which means iron, as well as the suffixes “meier” meaning mayor, or overseer. Thus, the literal meaning of the name is “iron mayor,” an apt description of a medieval smith.

Eickemeier is an uncommon surname, but it is still borne by several families in Germany today. Records suggest that some of these families may have been traced back to as early as the 16th century. It was also a fairly common surname in 19th century Germany, with many recorded instances being found during this period.

The name is used in many different countries, but its most common use today is in the United States and Canada. Many Eickemeier emigrants left Germany to seek a better life in these countries in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The name may also have arrived in these countries through later immigrants from Germany.

Today, Eickemeier is a unique and interesting surname that stands out for its distinguished German heritage. It is a reminder of the hardworking smiths who provided steel and iron in medieval times, as well as a link to the many families that left Germany to find a better life overseas.

Eickemeier: Where does the name Eickemeier come from?

The last name Eickemeier is most commonly found in the north central part of Germany today. This includes states like Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse. It is believed the name was first established in the region during the Middle Ages, but its exact origin is unclear. It is thought to have been derived from the German word "eicke", which means "oak tree".

Various branches of the family have existed for centuries. Records from an area around Dortmund referred to a Johann Eickemeier who built a homestead in 1512. Today, the Eickemeier family remains one of the earliest identified German clans. Today, German citizens bearing the last name Eickemeier are still concentrated in the same regions where they were first found several centuries ago. In fact, the name continues to be one of the top 25 most common surnames in the country.

The name has spread abroad, with some branches of the Eickemeier family having established a presence in the United States of America in the 19th century, mainly as a result of immigration in the periods following both World Wars. These days, Canadians of German descent and those with German heritage also bear the surname Eickemeier.

This is just a brief overview of the Eickemeier family name. With its long history, its roots in Germany, and its tie to German immigrants to other countries, the name has earned itself an interesting place in history.

Variations of the surname Eickemeier

The surname Eickemeier has several variations which all arise from the same Germanic root. The following examples of variant spellings and surnames are considered to have the same origin and are amongst the most common forms of the surname:

Eickemeir, Eickmeyer, Eickmaier, Eickemier, Eikmeier, Eikemeier, Eickmeier, Eckmeier, Ekmeier, Eickmeyerin, Ikmeijer, Ikemeier, Eikemeir, Ekmeyer, Ekmeijer, Eckmair, Ekamaier, Ekmaieer, Eickmair, Ekamair, Eckemeir.

Eickemeier is a German topographic surname, which was originally occupational and referred to someone who worked at an oak tree. It was derived from the word ‘eik’, an Old Dutch word meaning oak tree. Over time, this surname has been adopted into other languages such as Dutch and Frisian.

The surname Eikemeier is also quite popular in European countries, with Eikemeiers mostly coming from Germany, Netherlands, and the Slavic nations. Eikemeier is also common in England, with some records of the name dating back to the 19th century. The name is found in records from the United States as well, particularly in states with large numbers of German immigrants such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Missouri.

Although the surname Eickemeier is considered to have the same root, each variation has its own unique history and is associated with distinct family branches. Because the surname is of Germanic origin, the spelling may vary depending on which language is used to document it.

Famous people with the name Eickemeier

• Alexander Eickemeier: German actor and host who has appeared in the TV series “Good Bye Deutschland!” and “Land & Liebe”.
• Connie Eickemeier: American author and former elementary school teacher who authored The Legend of the Sanddollar, an interactive storybook for children.
• Mike Eickemeier: American actor and singer who had a recurring role on the popular television show, “Clear Water”.
• Robert Eickemeier: German physicist at the University of Ulm and a prominent researcher in the fields of laser technology and biophysics.
• Ulf Eickemeier: German business entrepreneur and owner of the company Eco Renewables, a biomass power and biofuels producer.
• Von Eickemeier: German architect and urban planner who worked on projects in Germany and abroad such as the “Grobe” shopping centre in Munich.
• Winfried Eickemeier: German artist and sculptor known for his freestanding and site-specific installations.
• Catharina Eickemeier: German journalist and publicist, who was a member of the editorial board of the newspaper Die Gazette.
• Heinrich Eickemeier: German botanist who specialized in the field of plant physiology at the University of Jena and published numerous works on the topic.
• Michael Eickemeier: German science-fiction novelist and songwriter who has published several books, such as Der Zwölfte Tag and Der Spiegler.

Other surnames

Eickemeyer