Surname Erlmaier - Meaning and Origin
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Erlmaier: What does the surname Erlmaier mean?
The last name Erlmaier is of Germanic origin and is composed of two distinct elements. The first element, "erl" or "erle", is derived from the Old High German "erlo", which means "nobleman, leader or eagle". The second element, "mair", is derived from the Old High German "marah", which means "famous". Therefore, the meaning of Erlmaier is "noble leader or famous eagle".
Erlmaier is a relatively uncommon surname throughout Europe, but it is especially rare in Germany. It is believed that the name first appears in records from the area of Swabia, located in the southern part of the modern German state of Baden-Württemberg.
The surname Erlmaier can be traced back to the early Middle Ages, when noble families were important members of the feudal system. It is likely that the Erlmaier family were renowned warriors, landowners and rulers in their local area.
Today, the Erlmaier name may still be found in southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is also quite common in North America, thanks to the many individuals who emigrated from Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Despite its long and complex history, the meaning of the Erlmaier surname is quite simple: "noble leader or famous eagle".
Order DNA origin analysisErlmaier: Where does the name Erlmaier come from?
The last name Erlmaier is most commonly found in Germany today, particularly the Bavarian regions of Munich and the Upper Palatinate. It is one of the many regional surnames that can be traced to specific localities. The earliest known record of the Erlmaier surname is from 1343 in Munich, Bavaria, which is likely the origin of the name.
The family members bearing this surname were likely farmers, joining other like-minded individuals on the trade routes of the area. As the Erlmaier family continued to move and grow, it spread from its Bavarian origins to other regions of Germany and eventually to different European countries.
Today, the Erlmaier surname is most likely to be found in the state of Bavaria in Germany. Certain other countries with large German populations may also have higher concentrations of Erlmaier families, such as Austria, Switzerland, and the United States; however, a large majority of these will still come from the Bavarian region. The Erlmaier surname is also less common in cities than in rural areas, as agricultural communities tend to have a higher concentration.
Variations of the surname Erlmaier
Erlmaier is a German surname or family name. It is derived from the Middle High German word “erle” and translates to “noble bear.” It can be spelled Erlmaier, Erlemaier, Erlmaire, Erlemaire, Erlemeyer, Erlmeyer, Erlmayer and Erlemayer. It can also be found with various prefixes and suffixes, such as d’Erlmaier, von Erlmaier, Erlmaierin, Erlmaerin, etc.
In some cases, the surname has been modernised over the years and changed to a simpler spelling such as Erlamier, Erlmeyer, Erlemayer. Variants of the name can also be found in other countries where the surname has been adopted, such as Erlmier, Erlemar, Erlmaires, Erlemares, Erlmeyers and Erlemayers.
The Erlmaier name has a large international presence, due to emigration during the 19th century. It is most common in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France and the United States.
The Erlmaier family name is associated with nobility and those of a high social rank. It has a long-standing tradition of being used by the landed gentry, who often adopted the name upon their arrival in a new area or country. This explains why it is found with various regional prefixes and suffixes. Additionally, the name is shared by many generations and thus has a strong cultural and historical connection.
Famous people with the name Erlmaier
- Johannes Erlmaier, an Austrian footballer
- Johann Erlmaier, a German violinist, composer and conductor
- Berthold Erlmaier, a German sculptor
- Romedio Erlmaier, a German former ski jumper
- May Erlmaier, a French swimmer
- Ernst Erlmaier, a former German bobsledder
- Michael Erlmaier, a German tennis player
- Norbert Erlmaier, a German handball player
- Manfred Erlmaier, an Austrian former alpine skier
- Verena Erlmaier, an Austrian slalom canoeist