Surname Franzmeyer - Meaning and Origin

Franzmeyer: What does the surname Franzmeyer mean?

The last name Franzmeyer is a German surname which is derived from the given name of Franz. It is also sometimes associated with the Old German first name Franc and Frant, which mean free man. The name Franzmeyer is typically thought to have originated in German-speaking areas of Europe, such as Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

The surname would have originally referred to a man who was free or independent, and probably was an attribute given to someone who could not be taken advantage of. Today the name remains the same and is still seen with pride in many areas of Europe and has spread in other parts of the world.

Most variants of the surname spellings are generally recorded in German documents. These include Fransemer, Fransmeyer, Freudenmeyer, and Freudheim. It is also believed that Frantzmeyer is a variant of the surname as well, though this is less certain.

At times, the surname has been associated with other members of a family, such as Franzen, Frank, and Frey. Each of these variants tell a unique story about the Franzmeyer family, and all provide insight to the proud origins of their family name. However, the traditional spelling of the surname remains Franzmeyer.

In the modern world, the last name Franzmeyer is found throughout Europe and in other parts of the world as a result of migration and immigration.

Franzmeyer: Where does the name Franzmeyer come from?

The last name Franzmeyer is most common in Germany. According to the website Forebears, the surname Franzmeyer ranks 57,076th in frequency in the world, occurring primarily in Germany. Forebears further estimates that in Germany there are approximately 1,839 people with this surname.

The surname is considered to have been derived from the German personal names ‘Franz’ and ‘Meyer’, whereby, ‘Franz’ translated to English means ‘free’ and ‘Meyer’ means ‘steward’ or ‘administrator’. This suggests that many of the first Franzmeyers were likely stewards of local properties or administrators of land for their landlords.

Presently, most people with the last name Franzmeyer live in Bavaria, the largest state in Southern Germany. As Bavaria shares a border with both Austria and the Czech Republic, representative populations of this surname have extended into these countries.

Also, the surname has been carried to other countries throughout Europe, particularly among those of German descent. Moreover, some people with the surname Franzmeyer migrated to the Americas in the 1700s and 1800s, and the surname can be found notably in the United States and Canada.

As a result, people with this surname can now be found in many parts of Europe and the United States, in both larger cities and rural settings.

Variations of the surname Franzmeyer

The surname Franzmeyer is an exotic European surname of German origin. It is derived from the German personal name “Franz” which is the German variant of Francis.

The surname Franzmeyer has a few variants, spellings and surnames which have the same origin.

Variants

Franzmaier, Fernsmyer, Franesmeyer, Francsmayer, Frentzmeyer, Franzmeyer and Fransmeyer are some of the variants of Franzmeyer.

Spellings

Franzmeyr, Franzmyer, Fraenzeymer, Franzenmeir, Fransmeir and Francsmayr are some of the alternate spellings of Franzmeyer.

Surnames

Frünzenmeier, Fronzenmeyer, Frungemeier, Fraenzemeyer, Frantzemyer and Freunzmeyer are some of the surnames which have the same origin as Franzmeyer.

The surname Franzmeyer is quite a rare surname with few bearers, but its variants, spellings and surnames which have the same origin help in tracing back the family history.

Famous people with the name Franzmeyer

• Wilhelm Franzmeyer, German Expressionist painter
• Sarah Franzmeyer, American artist
• Werner Franzmeyer, German philosopher and historian
• Martin Franzmeyer, German-American physicist
• Wolfgang Franzmeyer, German violinist
• Johannes Franzmeyer, German pianist
• Frank-Walter Franzmeyer, German sculptor
• Frank Franzmeyer, German documentary filmmaker
• Gustav Franzmeyer, German landscape painter
• Andy Franzmeyer, American composer and sound designer

Other surnames

Franzmeier