Surname Eikemeier - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Eikemeier: What does the surname Eikemeier mean?
The last name Eikemeier is of German origin and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It means "oak meadow" or "field of oaks," a reference to a large open meadow filled with oak trees. It is believed to have originated in northern Germany in the district known as Oldenburg. The name is an occupational surname, indicating at one point a family of farmers lived in such a land.
The Oldenburg district is situated in northern Germany, on the border with Holland, and it is a largely agricultural and rural area. This type of terrain was advantageous for a family of farmers as oak woodlands are known for their robustness and can provide sustainable land management for centuries. This was an important factor in farming during the Middle Ages and early modern period, as well as for constructing durable buildings and ships.
The Eikemeiers may have chosen to become farmers, a common occupation in these parts since the 14th century, because of the size and productivity of these oak meadows. Their hardy oak trees were capable of surviving the cold and wet German weather and the trees provided shade during the hot summer months. The land, as well as food and lumber, provided by the oak meadows likely provided the Eikemeiers with adequate provisions and resources to maintain their family and lifestyle.
The family name continues to be a reminder of a Medieval past and the legacy of a family willing to adapt to modern times and remain a provider of sustenance to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisEikemeier: Where does the name Eikemeier come from?
The last name Eikemeier is of German origin, and is most commonly found in Germany today. It is also one of the most common surnames in the United States, particularly among those of German descent. According to Ancestry.com, Eikemeier is the 2,154th most popular last name in the United States, and the 50,324th most popular surname worldwide.
The majority of people carrying the name Eikemeier in the United States live in the Midwest and on the East Coast. The states with the most Eikemeiers include Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, New York and Wisconsin. The largest concentrations of the name can be found in the cities of Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and New York City, as well as their respective metropolitan areas.
Eikemeiers can also be found in smaller numbers Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and other countries due to immigration over the centuries.
In Germany, most Eikemeiers are concentrated in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein. The largest cities to have significant numbers of Eikemeiers include Berlin, Hamburg, and Essen.
The surname Eikemeier is thought to have derived from an old German word meaning “fierce fight”. It was often given to warriors or people who fought in the military. The whereabouts and original usage of the name, however, is largely unknown.
Variations of the surname Eikemeier
Eikemeier is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word, eich, which means “oak tree.” The name likely alludes to someone living near or under an oak tree. It can be spelled a number of ways, such as Eikemeir, Eikemaier, Eikemyer, Eikemeyer, and Aikemeier. Common surnames of the same origin include Eikmeier, Aikmeier, Aikemeir, Eykemaier, Eykemeier, Ikmeier, Akmeier, Ikemeier, and Aymo.
This name can appear in a variety of records such as civil registrations, church records, emigration registers, and military records. Although it can be found in many genealogical databases, researchers should also look for other variants and spellings. As the name was spelled phonetically in many historical records, researchers could encounter unexpected variants that can be difficult to recognize.
Eikemeier is also an uncommon surname, which means that research using it can be challenging. Still, there are resources available that make it easier. Researchers should be willing to consult both online and offline records, since they can offer different kinds of insight and information. Additionally, researchers should take advantage of DNA testing to help them uncover their family’s true origin and history.
Famous people with the name Eikemeier
- Ryan Eikemeier: professional American football player for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL
- Melinda Eikemeier: four-time All-American college basketball player for Purdue Boilermakers
- Amalia Eikemeier: novelist and poet
- Wolfgang Eikemeier: German professional soccer player
- Don Eikemeier: American college coach for baseball, basketball, and football teams
- Eckhart Eikemeier: German professor and researcher of economics
- Adrian Eikemeier: composer of classical and contemporary music
- Fred Eikemeier: American rural mail carrier and pioneer of the rural free delivery system
- Erich Eikemeier: German chaplain during World War II
- Florian Eikemeier: German sculptor, photographer, and performance artist