Surname Korsmeyer - Meaning and Origin
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Korsmeyer: What does the surname Korsmeyer mean?
The last name Korsmeyer is of German origin, and is derived from the ancient German word Kors (cross) and meyer (bailiff). This last name originally referred to individuals who held the title of 'Cross Bailiff' and were responsible for carrying out the feudal obligations assigned by German rulers in the Middle Ages. Cross Bailiffs were highly esteemed and were responsible for organizing and supervising judicial proceedings, revenue collection, and carrying out activities related to the church and church taxes.
More recently, Korsmeyer is found as an occupational surname, often used for people living by a crossroads or near a church. It might also have been used to refer to individuals who kept the ethics and traditions of Christianity and adapted a way of life based on religious principles. People with this last name may have been known to live by their religious beliefs and be firm in their convictions.
Today, those with the last name Korsmeyer can be found all over the world, often in countries with strong ties to Germany. This surname remains as a reminder of the unwavering principles and religious values held by its original bearers.
Order DNA origin analysisKorsmeyer: Where does the name Korsmeyer come from?
The last name Korsmeyer is most commonly found in the United States and Germany, particularly within the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois in the U.S. It is also common in Canada and England.
The first known Korsmeyer in America was John Korsmeyer, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1802. Since then, the name has spread throughout the country and is now found in nearly every corner of the U.S.
The German Korsmeyer lineage can be traced back to the 16th century. Many Korsmeyers emigrated from Germany in the mid-1800s to North America, seeking greater economic opportunity.
Today, Korsmeyer is still a relatively common surname in the United States, particularly along the East Coast and Midwest. It is estimated that there are roughly 30,000 people with the Korsmeyer surname in the U.S.
Korsmeyer can also be found in other countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and England. In Australia, the Korsmeyers are mainly concentrated in the states of South Australia and Victoria, where the family name has been present since the mid-1800s.
Although Korsmeyer is not an especially rare surname, it is still relatively uncommon in today’s world. It still has a bit of a unique presence in the United States, however, where it has been passed down through the generations for over two centuries.
Variations of the surname Korsmeyer
The surname Korsmeyer is a variant of the German surname Körschenmayer, Korschenmayer, Korschemeyer, Korschmeyer, and Korsmeijer. In the Netherlands, this name is often spelled as Korsmeijer. All these spellings are derived from a personal name composed of the elements kor, meaning "a small hill or mound," and schen, "old," plus meir, "noble, famous," or mayer, "inhabitant, occupier."
It is believed that the original name referred to a person who lived on or near a mound or hill. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved to Korsmeyer. Variants of this surname are found in several countries, including Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States.
In the United States, some additional spellings of the name have arisen due to spelling, pronunciation, and/or corruption of immigrant spelling. Examples include Corsemeyer, Korsmayer, Korsmeere, Korsmier, and Korsmeir.
Internationally, the name Korsmeyer can be found as Courcemeyer, Korsmeirer, as well as Korsmen, Korsmine, Korsmind, Korsmo, Korsenmo, Korsenma, and Korsmer.
Overall, the Korsmeyer surname is quite widespread and has many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is believed to have first arisen in Germany and then spread to other parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Korsmeyer
- Heidi Korsmeyer: Heidi Korsmeyer is a business executive who currently serves Veritas Technologies as an executive vice president and chief customer officer. In her role at Veritas, she leads the company’s customer-facing strategy and operations globally.
- Todd Korsmeyer:Todd Korsmeyer is a retired Major League Baseball player who played for the Seattle Mariners, the Kansas City Royals and the Cleveland Indians.
- Sarah Korsmeyer: Sarah Korsmeyer is a Washington State University Journalism major and a news intern at the Bend Bulletin in Bend, Oregon. She is also a volunteer guide for visitors of the Deschutes National Forest.
- Jim Korsmeyer: Jim Korsmeyer was a respected electrical engineer from Colt Industries in the late 1960s and early 1970s who developed the world’s first digital speedometer.
- Emmett Korsmeyer: Emmett Korsmeyer is a neurobiologist and cancer immunotherapist. He is the director of the Immunotherapy Initiative at the University of Utah’s Huntsman Cancer Institute.
- Jeff Korsmeyer: Jeff Korsmeyer is a pastor at The Journey Bible Church in Lindenhurst, Illinois. Jeff has served at the church for several years and emphasizes to members that faith is about living an honest and meaningful life.
- Dick Korsmeyer: Dick Korsmeyer is a veteran college basketball coach and author based in Minnesota. He has worked as an assistant to Roy Williams at the University of Kansas and successfully turned around programs at various schools, including Idaho and Georgia.