Surname Ottmeier - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'O'
Ottmeier: What does the surname Ottmeier mean?
The last name Ottmeier is a German patronymic surname that is derived from the given name Otto. This surname originated in the Middle Ages and is of Saxon origin. Its literal meaning is "son of Otto".
The given name Otto is derived from an old Germanic name which means "wealthy" or "prosperous". It is thought to have derived from the Germanic word auda, meaning "wealth, fortune, or prosperity". It was very popular in the Middle Ages, particularly after the 10th century, but gained momentum during the 12th century when the Holy Roman Emperor Otto I gave it even greater prominence.
The surname Ottmeier may have been adopted by families in search of a unique identity so that much like a fingerprint, they could decide who was a part of their family and who wasn't. It was commonly used to signify a particular family line.
In modern times, the surname is still used in Germany and the surrounding countries of Europe. The most common variants of this surname are Oetmeier, Ottenaar, and Otto. Outside of Europe, it is found in North America, Australia and New Zealand. It is also found in other parts of the world, particularly western Asia and Africa, due to the popularity of the name and immigration within the last century.
Order DNA origin analysisOttmeier: Where does the name Ottmeier come from?
The last name Ottmeier is not particularly common today, though it is found in several countries. It is most commonly found in Germany, where it is believed to have originated. Ottmeier families can also be found in the United States, Austria, Canada, Switzerland, Finland, Norway and Denmark.
In Germany, Ottmeier is seen mainly in the Southern region, as well as in the regions of Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Bavaria. Records of Ottmeier families in the U.S. date back to the mid-19th century, when German immigrants brought the name with them.
Today, there are just over a thousand Ottmeiers in the U.S. and Canada combined. The highest concentration of Ottmeiers in the United States is in the northeast, particularly New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. In Canada, the largest concentration is in Ontario.
In conclusion, the last name Ottmeier is not common today, though it is found in several countries. It is most prominent in Germany, and also has a presence in the United States and Canada.
Variations of the surname Ottmeier
The origin of the surname Ottmeier is German. This surname can be spelled in different ways including Oettmeier, Oettmeir, and Oettmayer. Variants are also found as Ottemyer, Ottemiaier, Ottemeyer and Ottemeyer. Some other spellings and variants of the surname Ottmeier may include Ottemeyer, Ottemaijer, Oetmeyer, and Oedmeyer.
Surnames that share the same origin as Ottmeier include Ottinger, Oettinger, Otterman, Ottermann, and Ottman. It is important to remember that some of these surnames have different details in their meaning, such as the direction of origin (for example, Ottinger is derived from the word "otter"), yet all share the same linguistic background and origin.
The surname Ottmeier likely originated from the German word Oetmeister, meaning "master of the oat." In the Middle Ages, oats were an important crop in Germany, and a master of the oat was a person with a higher level of expertise with the crop. The name could also be derived from other words, including “Oet” (“oats”) and “meier” (“lord” or “Master”).
It is also important to note that the same name Ottinger is sometimes associated with other spellings, including Oettmayer, Oedmeister, Oeting, and Oettinger. These variants are commonly found in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany.
Famous people with the name Ottmeier
- Brigitte Ottmeier: German politician
- Uwe Ottmeier: German composer
- Aki Ottmeier: Finnish snowboarder
- Michael Ottmeier: German biathlete
- Fabian Ottmeier: German actor
- Heinz Ottmeier: German chess master
- Axel Ottmeier: German theatre director
- Erika Ottmeier: German actress
- Manfred Ottmeier: German footballer
- Willi Ottmeier: German painter