Surname Kässmeyer - Meaning and Origin
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Kässmeyer: What does the surname Kässmeyer mean?
The last name Kässmeyer is of German origin and is derived from the word "Käs", which means "cheese". It was originally a local name given to a person who sold cheese. It could also have come about as a nickname for someone who was fond of cheese.
Kässmeyer is a habitational name, which references a geographical feature such as a river, lake, hill, or town. This could also relate to someone who lived near a woodland where cheese was harvested from the wild.
In some cases, Kässmeyer may have been an occupational name for a cheese-maker or a cheese-seller. Cheese-making has a history of many centuries in Germany, and Kässmeyer could be a reflection of that.
This surname is found in records from at least the 16th century, particularly in the areas of Baden, Pfalz, and the Rhineland. It is one of the more prominent German surnames found throughout Europe, with people bearing the name being found in almost every country in the world.
Overall, the Kässmeyer last name is a reflection of the historical and cultural connections of German people around the world. Its meaning is steeped in cheese-making and the preservation of tradition, of which the Kässmeyer family is firmly rooted.
Order DNA origin analysisKässmeyer: Where does the name Kässmeyer come from?
The last name Kässmeyer is commonly found in Germany, particularly in the northwestern state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The surname originates from the German region of Münsterland, with the earliest mentions of the name dating back to the 17th century. The name is derived from the words ‘kassen’ and ‘meyer,’ meaning ‘cashier’ and ‘mayor’, respectively.
Given the rural nature of the region in which the name originated, many of those with the Kässmeyer surname today can trace their ancestry back to a small town near the city of Münster.
The Kässmeyer surname is not limited to this area, however. It is also commonly found in nearby counties, such as Wesphalia, Ostfriesland, Gronigen, and Gelderland. In addition, its prevalence in North Rhine-Westphalia means that it is also found further afield, including surrounding countries like the Netherlands and Belgium.
What is more, due to the growth of the internet and the increased ease of intercultural communication, the Kässmeyer surname has also been found around the world, from the United States and Canada to India and Australia.
Overall, the Kässmeyer surname is most commonly found in the region of north-west Germany in which it originated, but it can also be encountered in other places around the globe.
Variations of the surname Kässmeyer
The surname Kässmeyer is of German origin. It is most commonly found in the Ruhr region and the German states of Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse. Variants of this surname include Kaßmeyer, Kassmeyer, Kassmeier, Kaßmeier, Kassemeyer, Kasemeyer, Käßmeyer, Kassemeijer, and Kasemeijer.
Although rare, there are other spellings of the Kässmeyer surname that have been found in some regions throughout Germany. One of these is a Dutch spelling, Kaßemeyer, which is also spelled Kassmeijer and Kassenmeyer. Another variant is Cäsmere, which is found mainly in the North Frisian areas of Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, and Hamburg.
In some instances, the surname Kässmeyer has been Anglicised as Kassemayer, Cassemayer, and Cassemeyer. Additionally, some members of this family have adopted the surname Knyff. This surname is derived from the German words “knippe” or “knubbe”, which both refer to a thicket of trees.
The variants, spellings, and surnames for Kässmeyer vary in different regions in Germany. Some of the variants and spellings may be derived from the ancestors’ home region or the mode of handwriting at the time. As such, it is important to research a family’s history in order to uncover all the possibilities for a surname’s variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Kässmeyer
- Jan Kässmeyer: Former professional football goalkeeper from Germany who played for multiple teams from 1971 to 1988.
- Wanda Kässmeyer: Former actress from Berlin, Germany, known for her appearances in 1920s films such as Der kleine Muck and Die Entlassung.
- Begum Kässmeyer: Eighth wife of Sultan Husain Mian Akbar of Nurpur, India.
- Rüdiger Kässmeyer: German actor and director who has appeared in many television shows and films throughout his career.
- Theo Kässmeyer: German Olympic rower who won a bronze medal in the 1960 Summer Olympics.
- Wilhelmine Kässmeyer: Former German opera singer and writer who lived in New York City from 1845 to 1851.
- Monika Kässmeyer: Artist and sculptor born in Stuttgart, Germany, known for her works featuring animals and nature.
- Irma Kässmeyer: Music teacher from Hamburg, Germany, who was the recipient of the Ehrenpreis award in 2010.
- Marina Kässmeyer: German ice dancer and two-time national champion with her partner Uwe Jahn.
- Dieter Kässmeyer: German animator and director known for his work on films and television shows such as Zusammen Am Abend and Die letzte Reise.