Surname Ernstmeyer - Meaning and Origin

Ernstmeyer: What does the surname Ernstmeyer mean?

The last name Ernstmeyer is a German name derived from 'Ernst', which translates to 'serious' and 'meyer' which means 'farmer'. It's an occupational surname, due to its origin in Middle Ages when people often took on last names that described their occupation.

The coat of arms that represents the name Ernstmeyer is a blue and white shield that is divided in half horizontally and features a five pointed star in the top portion. The star is surrounded by a red border and is a symbol of faith and hope. The bottom half of the crest displays a silver reaping hook, which is associated with the farming or husbandry and is a reminder of the family's agricultural history.

The Ernstmeyer coat of arms also features the colors blue and white which signify loyalty and vigilance, along with a red border which speaks to a proud family lineage. This symbol has long been associated with the Ernstmeyer name and the family’s long history of farming and agriculture in Germany.

Today, the Ernstmeyer surname has spread across the world with immigrants bringing it to new lands. It is still common in Germany and throughout the German-speaking communities of Europe. Variations of this surname are commonly found, such as Ernstmeier, Ernstmyer, Ernsmeyer, Ernzmeyer, Ernzmayer, Ernzmair and Ernssmeyer.

Ernstmeyer: Where does the name Ernstmeyer come from?

The surname Ernstmeyer is most commonly found in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is particularly abundant in the southern German state of Bavaria. Within Germany, Ernstmeyer is also found in the eastern states of Saxony and Brandenburg, and in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The name is also found in the Netherlands, Poland, and Hungary, where it is often spelled as Ernestmeier. Ernstmeyers are also found in countries where German immigrants settled over the centuries, such as in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, and South Africa.

In the United States, Ernstmeyer is most prevalent in the Midwest, particularly in states such as Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. It is also found in other regions, with small pockets of residents in the southern states of Georgia and Texas, and on the West Coast in Washington and California. Ernstmeyers in the US can trace their ancestry back to 19th-century German immigration, with many descendants of those original settlers now spread across the country.

Variations of the surname Ernstmeyer

The surname Ernstmeyer has multiple variants that are known to originate from the same surname. These include Erntmeyer, Arnstmeyer, Earnstmeyer, Ehrenstmeyer, Ahrensmeyer, Arenstmeyer and Ernstmeijer.

The variants are generally spelled differently as a result of regional dialects. For example, in some German states, "th" is replaced by "d" and the "ee" sound is often replaced by short "e". Furthermore, in Dutch, the "ei" sound is often pronounced as "aai" while the "j" in some cases is replaced by the letter "y".

In addition, many families of the same origin often altered the spelling of their surname over time. This may be due to a variety of reasons, including illiteracy or illiteracy in their native language, adoption, marriage, and immigration.

The surnames Ernstmeyer and Ehrenstmeyer are often interchangeable and can be used interchangeably. The former is actually an abbreviated version of the latter, with the initial "Ehren" being shortened to "Ernst".

The surname Ernstmeyer is also known as Arenstmeyer, Arnstmeyer, Erntmeyer, Earnstmeyer, Ahrensmeyer, and Ernstmeijer. These variants are generally seen as related to the original Ernstmeyer surname but are likely to be derived from other, distinct family roots and cultures.

Famous people with the name Ernstmeyer

• Kenneth Ernstmeyer: American actor, best known for his portrayal of the character Slim in Raising Arizona.
• Julian Ernstmeyer: German footballer who has represented both German national and youth teams at various age levels.
• Mila Ernstmeyer: Brazilian actress, voice actress and dubbing artist.
• Tessa Ernstmeyer: German figure skater and contemporary dancer.
• Elisabeth Ernstmeyer: German-American classical pianist, harpsichordist, and composer.
• Clemens Ernstmeyer: German jurist and politician, serving as a justice of the Superior Court of Justice in Hesse.
• Aaron Ernstmeyer: American basketball player who has played in the NBA and NCAA division one college basketball.
• Kelly Ernstmeyer: American film and television actress, best known for her roles as Dr. Alison Bygrave in Strong Medicine, Eva Crane in the television series Walker, Texas Ranger, and Jean Grey in X-Men: Evolution.
• Erik Ernstmeyer: Swedish ice hockey player, currently playing with the Djurgärdens IF in the Swedish Elite League (SHL).
• Kaare Ernstmeyer: Danish businessman and former sport director at AGFC Corporation, best known for his work in the Danish football league.

Other surnames

Ernstmeier