Surname Erlmeier - Meaning and Origin
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Erlmeier: What does the surname Erlmeier mean?
The last name Erlmeier is of German origin and is derived from the Old German Ernolt, meaning “Ernold's meadow” or “Ernold's clearing”. This type of name was often given to families living on the edge of a village or a meadow which was owned by an Ernold. This type of name was passed down from parent to child, explaining why it is so prevalent in Germany today.
The name Erlmeier is an occupational surname, indicating that its original bearers were probably farmers. It likely originated from the German Erl, meaning “elm” or “elm tree”, and meier, meaning “farmer”. This means that the original founders of this name were probably farmers who owned elm trees or who lived in an area with plenty of elm trees.
Given its German origin, the name Erlmeier is still relatively common in German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also popular in countries that have been influenced by Germanic culture, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The modern day Erlmeiers are often seen as knowledgeable and hardworking individuals with strong work ethics. They are often viewed favorably amongst peers and colleagues due to their ambition and determination to achieve success. Because of these positive traits, Erlmeiers are often successful in their chosen field and seal their legacy with the rich and meaningful history of their surname.
Order DNA origin analysisErlmeier: Where does the name Erlmeier come from?
The surname Erlmeier is a German surname primarily found today throughout Germany and parts of central Europe. It is most commonly found in First-World nations like Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, although pockets of families with the surname Erlmeier can be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries. To trace its ancestors, Erlmeier is derived from the Middle High Germany 'eril' which translates to 'eagle' and 'meier' which is a term for a steward or bailiff.
In present-day Germany, Erlmeier is a fairly common surname occurring in about 0.01% of the population in the country. However, it heavily concentrated in the southern, western, and central regions of Germany. In these parts, the surname is much more common compared to other regions like the east.
Erlmeier is also common in Austria, and one can trace its roots even further back to the time of the Habsburg rule throughout Central Europe. Records show that Augsburg had 39 residents with the name Erlmeier in 1655.
Outside of Germany and Austria, there exists a smaller population of people with the surname Erlmeier. The United States is home to many German immigrants hence the surname is found there. Other countries where it is found include Canada, Australia, Brazil, and India.
Variations of the surname Erlmeier
Erlmeier is an uncommon German surname with few variations in spelling. The most common variants are Erlmayer and Erlmeyer. Other variants include Erlmaier, Erlmaire, and Erlmyer.
The Erlmeier surname is generally assumed to be of locational origin, derived from several places called Erl in Bavaria and other German-speaking areas. Erl can be a short form of Ernest, which itself is derived from an Old German word meaning “earnest.” Thus, Erlmeier means “someone from Erl” and the surname may have originally been used to indicate an origin from this particular location.
The name may have also been derived from some form of the German word “erlauchter,” which means “venerable” or of high rank. This indicates the Erlmeiers were a family of nobility or good standing in the community.
Erlmeier is a rare surname and is not found in many countries outside of Germany. The Erlmeiers we find in North America may be late emigrants from Germany, Austria, or other parts of Europe. If the Erlmeier surname is indeed derived from the German word for “nobility,” then we may find many more people with this name in countries where German is spoken, such as Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
In summary, the Erlmeier surname is a German one, with Erlmayer, Erlmeyer, Erlmaier, Erlmaire, and Erlmyer being the most common variants. It may be derived from a location called Erl or may refer to a family of high standing in the community. It is not a very common surname and is usually found in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking countries.
Famous people with the name Erlmeier
- Alexander Erlmeier: Greek musician, singer and composer, also known as Alexej Erlmeier.
- Werner Erlmeier: German physicist and Professor Emeritus of Applied Physics at the Technical University of Munich.
- Eric Erlmeier– American film composer.
- Tom Erlmeier: German footballer who played as a midfielder.
- Brian Erlmeier: American professional golfer.
- Klaus Erlmeier: former member of the Bundestag for the Social Democratic Party of Germany.
- Bernd Erlmeier: German footballer who plays for TSV Wasserburg.
- Markus Erlmeier: American football coach and former player.
- Richard Erlmeier: Austrian author, artist and lecturer.
- Gunnar Erlmeier: Swedish professional ice hockey player.