Surname Overmeier - Meaning and Origin
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Overmeier: What does the surname Overmeier mean?
The last name Overmeier is a German surname derived from the Middle High German term ofrmer, meaning "miller". As a result, it is likely that those bearing the surname have a history tied to the profession of milling or grinding grain. In the modern context, it is estimated that the surname has spread to over twenty-five countries, with concentrations in countries such as Germany and the United States. The variant spellings of this surname include Overmayer, Overmeyer, and Overmyer.
Those bearing the surname Overmeier are likely to have come from the Rhineland region of Germany, particularly from the areas of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Nordken, and Sachsen. It is suggested that the name came to the United States in the 1700s, with the majority of those bearing the name settling in Pennsylvania.
The meaning of the surname "Overmeier" is typically associated with milling and grinding grain. It may be used as a descriptor to describe someone who hails from a family of millers, or it may be used to indicate a surname that has been passed down through generations of millers and grinders of grain. While its literal translation is "miller," the surname has taken on a much more figurative meaning, indicating hardworking, reliable, and sturdy individuals who have a rich heritage and strong values.
Order DNA origin analysisOvermeier: Where does the name Overmeier come from?
The last name Overmeier is most common in certain parts of Western Europe, particularly Germany. According to the World Names Profiler, it is most prevalent in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany, where it is ranked as the 246th most common surname. Other areas of high concentration include the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland. Overmeiers can also be found scattered throughout Scandinavia, particularly in Denmark and Sweden.
The surname Overmeier is also featured in the United States, where the 2010 census placed individuals with the last name Overmeier in 33 out of the 50 states. The largest concentration of Overmeiers live in Minnesota, where it is the 854th most common surname. It is also found in relatively large numbers in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois, as well as smaller numbers in the remainder of the midwestern United States.
In general, families with the last name Overmeier tend to trace back to the same small areas of Northwest Europe, suggesting that they have a shared history. As a result, individuals with the same surname have likely had shared experiences, and may even be related in some distant way.
Variations of the surname Overmeier
The surname Overmeier has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Obermeyer, Overmeijer, Obermaier, Oevermeyer, Oppermeier, and Ufermaier. The surname Overmeier is derived from the Low German dialect which is a language spoken in Northern Germany. In the Low German dialect, the "O" is sometimes replaced with "U" or an "eu" sound. This explains why some variations of the name have an "U" instead, such as Ufermaier. Additionally, "Overma" is an old spelling for an old German word meaning "upstream" which accounts for why some spellings include the word "Ober" or "Over". Likewise, the suffix "-meier" is a German-Dutch or Germanic word which translates to "bailiff" or "mayor", so this element of the surnames are indicative of someone who held a prestigious position. Therefore, Overmeier is a combination of these two words indicating someone who once held a prestigious, authoritative position upstream.
Famous people with the name Overmeier
- Martin Overmeier: former manager of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres.
- Leigh Overmeier: American model and former Miss USA contestant.
- Lawrence Overmeier: American musician, composer, and actor.
- Maximo Overmeier: Mexican film and television actor.
- Nick Overmeier: American writer and producer.
- Wilbur Overmeier: American baseball pitcher who pitched for the Detroit Tigers in 1924.
- Tom Overmeier: American stuntman and actor.
- Fred Overmeier: American football player who played for the Chicago Cardinals from 1926 to 1929.
- Douglas Overmeier: American sound engineer and record producer.
- Chris Overmeier: American film director and cinematographer.