Surname Hanslmaier - Meaning and Origin

Hanslmaier: What does the surname Hanslmaier mean?

The last name Hanslmaier is a German surname derived from the Old German word “Hansl” which means ‘Little Hans’ or ‘son of Hans’. The name Hanslmaier is derived from the combination of the given name ‘Hans’ and the German word ‘maier’ which was used to denote an occupational surname for a mayor.

The history of the Hanslmaier name dates back to the 1400s, and it is found in records throughout Germany. In those records, it is likely that the family hailed from Bavaria, in Southern Germany, where they were known as farmers and later as mayors or leaders of their communities.

The German name Hanslmaier is usually found spelled in two parts - “Hansl” and “Maier”. However, other spellings such as “Hanslemayer,” “Hanslmeyer,” or “Hanslmayer” are also found.

Today, the Hanslmaier surname is still found throughout Germany and is also spread around the world due to emigration. The family behind this name is an old one, steeped in history and tradition, and it is still honored.

Hanslmaier: Where does the name Hanslmaier come from?

The last name Hanslmaier is commonly found in parts of Central Europe, particularly Germany and Austria. In Germany, Hanslmaier is most numerous in the states of Bavaria and Saxony. Variations on the name are also present in Switzerland, Croatia, Hungary, Czechia, and parts of the former Yugoslavia.

In fact, the surname is so popular in Europe that is was estimated in 2017 that there were over 1200 people living in Germany alone with the last name Hanslmaier. This makes it the 4,200th most common surname in the country, indicating that a significant portion of the population has some association with the name.

More specifically, Hanslmaier is the 174th most popular surname in Bavaria, the most densely populated state in Germany. It is also fairly common in Austria, ranking as the 117th most common surname in the country. This suggests that the surname gained a strong foothold in the area over the last several centuries.

In the United States, the last name Hanslmaier is far less common. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are around 100-200 people in the country who currently bear the name. In fact, Hanslmaier is so rare that it does not even appear on the Social Security Administration’s list of the most common surnames in the United States. This suggests that the Hanslmaier family tree has not had much opportunity to branch outside of Europe.

Variations of the surname Hanslmaier

The surname Hanslmaier is a Concordian family name, derived from a Middle High German awe meaning ‘servant’. It is an occupational surname, typically given to servants of a royal or noble house. In its more popular spellings, it can be written as Hanselmaier, Hanselmeier, Hanslmeier, Hanslmeyer, Hanselmeir, or Handlmaier.

Variants of the name can also be found elsewhere. Hanselmaire can be seen in French-speaking regions, Hanselmeijer in the Netherlands, and Hanselmaier in Germany. In other regions, the surname can be found modified into alternate spellings, such as Handlmaierer in Austria, Handzlmayer in Slovakia, and Handzlewicz in Poland.

Patronymic surnames derived from Hanslmaier can also be found. These include Hanselmayr, Handlmayr, Hanselmayer, Hanslmaier, and Handzlmaier. Additionally, variants of the name can sometimes be found combined with other surnames, such as Hanselmaier-Böhmer, Hanselmaier- Kiesler, or Hanselmayer-Decker.

In some regions, the surname has been shortened, with the name Hansel being used in municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and Hungary. It is also used extensively by some Mennonite families in North America, and in Switzerland, as Hanselmann.

Overall, Hanslmaier is a relatively uncommon Family name, with many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Regardless of regional spelling or language variations, all are ultimately derived from the Middle High German awe meaning ‘servant’.

Famous people with the name Hanslmaier

• Franz Xaver Hanslmaier (1845-1915), German sculptor and medallist
• Franz Hanslmaier (1926-2012), Austrian scientist and academic Head of the Institute of Applied Physics of the University of Innsbruck
• Rupert Hanslmaier (b. 1966), Austrian ice hockey player
• Johann Hanslmaier (1873-1941), Austrian Catholic priest and mission smuggler
• Xaver Hanslmaier (1902-1986), Austrian painter
• Michael Hanslmaier (b. 1958), Austrian civil servant and politician
• Ulrich Hanslmaier (b. 1961), German physicist
• Fridolin Hanslmaier (1898-1975), Austrian painter
• Johannes Hanslmaier (1878-1970), Austrian sculptor
• Johann Hanslmaier (1923-1987), Austrian civil servant and regional politician

Other surnames

Hanslmayer