Surname Frohnmayer - Meaning and Origin

Frohnmayer: What does the surname Frohnmayer mean?

The last name Frohnmayer is a German last name meaning “from Mayer” and is thought to have originally derived from an old German personal name May(er), which means “one who manages an estate” or a “counselor” or “steward”. Variants of this last name include Fronmayer, Frommayer, Frommayr, Frohmayer, and Frohmayor.

The Frohnmayer surname is thought to have originated within the Hesse-Nassau region of Germany and is thought of as an early occupational name for a steward or counselor. It is believed that early carriers of the name were employed in roles such as estate managers, and the name then changed over time to Frohnmayer.

Frohnmayer is an uncommon name, with only about 1,100 individuals worldwide having the name, most of which reside in Germany and the United States.

The Frohnmayer name has also become highly regarded as being associated with a certain American family. The Frohnmayer family is an influential family within the United States, as it includes a number of prominent figures, most notably Dave Frohnmayer, who served as the Attorney General of Oregon from 1981 to 1991, where he worked on the Oregon initiative system, and John Frohnmayer, who formerly served as the chairman of the National Endowment of Arts from 1989 to 1992.

In other words, the last name Frohnmayer is a German last name meaning “from Mayer”, and is associated with the occupation of estate manager or counselor. It is an uncommon name, with the majority of those who carry it living in Germany and the United States. The Frohnmayer family is a highly regarded American family, as it includes a number of prominent figures.

Frohnmayer: Where does the name Frohnmayer come from?

The last name "Frohnmayer" is believed to have been derived from the Old German name "Frohn", which is thought to refer to a type of freshwater fish. Today, the last name Frohnmayer is most commonly found in the United States and Germany.

In the U.S., the majority of people bearing the last name can be found in the states of Oregon and California. The name is especially prominent in the greater Portland area, likely due to the fact that this region was settled by German immigrants in the mid-19th century. There are records of families bearing this name arriving in Oregon most commonly in the mid-1800's, and the voice of their legacy has left its mark on the vivid cultural heritage of the area. According to the United States Census Bureau, there are 8,844 individuals with the last name Frohnmayer living in the U.S. as of 2019.

In Germany, "Frohnmayer" can be seen most often in the region known as the former East Prussia, now part of modern-day Poland. Here, the first family bearing the name is believed to have settled in the city of Elbing, which today is known as Elblag. However, the more recent history of the surname makes a connection back to the Eastern German city of Greifswald. Here, the Frohnmayer family has made a deep impact on the city's culture and history, with members including a number of politicians, authors, and public figures.

In Germany as a whole, the name is estimated to have about 12,500 holders. It is also noted to have spread more widely to other countries in Europe, such as France, The Netherlands, and the Scandinavian countries.

Variations of the surname Frohnmayer

The surname Frohnmayer is an ancient name of German origin, which occurs primarily in southwestern Germany and Austria. It is thought to be derived from the German word "froh", meaning "happy", and the Middle High German name "mayer" meaning "master, mayor, or bailiff".

Variations and spellings of this name include Frahnmeyer, Fronmayer, Frahenmayer, Frahenmayer, Frahenmair, Fraunmair, Frahmayer, Frahmmer, Frohmair, Frohmayer, Frohmayer, and Fronmair. Many descendants of original Frohnmayer families have also adopted different spellings and variants.

Many surnames that share the same origin have been created due to language variation and dialects. Some of these surnames include other variations of "Frohnmayer", such as F 28- ahnmayer, Fhronmayer, Fronmeyer, Froenmeyer, Freihmayer, Froeinmair, Freimair, Freymair, Frohnmaier, and Freimayer.

Common forms of the surname that may be seen in other countries that were influenced by German immigration include Frahnemeyer, Fronemeyer, Fronmair, Fraenmair, Fronmeyer, and Fraunmayer. Most of these names are still uncommon in modern times, however they can be found amongst some European families in the region.

The most common variation of the name in modern times is the spelling Frohnmayer, which has become increasingly widespread as immigration has spread the name across the world.

Famous people with the name Frohnmayer

• John Frohnmayer: John was an Oregon politician and an avid supporter of the lottery and casino gaming initiatives to benefit the university system in Oregon. He also served as the chair of the National Endowment for the Arts.
• David Frohnmayer: David was an (American) attorney, politician, public servant, and academic leader. He served as the president of the University of Oregon from 1994-2009.
• Kathryn Frohnmayer: Kathryn is a lawyer and former professor of labor and employment law. She was nominated by the American Bar Association to serve as the chair of the National Endowment for the Arts in 2014.
• Abbey Frohnmayer: Abbey is an American social entrepreneur and founder of SmallChange, an online organization dedicated to making it easier for philanthropists to make impact investments.
• Betsy Frohnmayer: Betsy is an American politician and environmental activist. She was nominated by President Bill Clinton to serve as the Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs from 1993-1997.

Other surnames

Frohnmaier