Surname Pfitzmaier - Meaning and Origin
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Pfitzmaier: What does the surname Pfitzmaier mean?
The last name Pfitzmaier is of German origin and is derived from the word for meadow, 'maier'. It signifies that the family once held land in a meadow. This is a common origin for many German and Swiss last names, which reflects the agricultural history of the region and the importance of farming to supporting communities.
The name Pfitzmaier originates from the German prefix 'Pfitz', which can be translated as 'rich'. This suggests that the family's meadow was particularly lush and fertile and was highly valued by the community. As a result, it may have been used to feed a larger population, such as nearby villages or towns.
Throughout German history, some families adopted the prefix 'Pfitz' to distinguish themselves from others who had similar last names, such as Maier. With the prefix, the name Pfitzmaier could represent the prestige and wealth of the family, who were seen as a successful (or 'rich') meadow owners.
Over time, the name Pfitzmaier has spread throughout Europe and, particularly in the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries, the spelling may have been altered to fit a more intuitive pronunciation. Now, the name Pfitzmaier is considered a unique and noble surname that carries ties to the impressive history of German agriculture.
Order DNA origin analysisPfitzmaier: Where does the name Pfitzmaier come from?
The last name Pfitzmaier is most commonly found in Germany. While infrequently used, this surname can also be found in Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
In Germany, there is currently no reliable information about how many people bear the name Pfitzmaier. However, historic records from Meyers Orts-and-Verkehrs-Lexikon des Deutschen Reichs from 1928 show that it was present in Northern Bavaria, as well as in cities like Bad Reichenhall, Schmidmühlen, and Rosenheim.
Given the historic prevalence of the name in Bavaria, today it is thought that the Pfitzmaier surname is concentrated around that region. However, with the increased mobility of the past century, it is likely that it has spread to other parts of Germany too.
Outside of mainland Europe, the last name Pfitzmaier has also been spotted in North America, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. However, the name is quite rare, so it is likely that these cases are families who have emigrated from Germany or its neighbouring countries.
The Pfitzmaier last name is thought to have come from a pre-7th century Germanic word, “ficz”, which means “lord” or “master”. Meaning those who bear the name Pfitzmaier can be proud to have a noble and old lineage.
Variations of the surname Pfitzmaier
The surname Pfitzmaier has several different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The original spelling of the name is Pfitzmaier, however it has many variations throughout the world due to different dialects and pronunciations. Some of the most common variations are Pfitsmaier, Pfitzzmaier, Pfitzzmair, Pfitsmair, Fitsmaier, Fittsmaier, Fittsmyer, Fittzmaier, Fittzmyer, and Fitsmyer.
The surname Pfitzmaier is also known by many other surnames that are derived from a similar origin. For example, in the Italian language it is often changed to Pitomaso, Pitomaz, Pitomazze, Pitomassa, Pitomassi, and Pitomasso. In Germany, some dialects of the surname have changed to Pietzmair and Petzmaier. In the Czech language, it is often spelled as Přítmaier and in some Eastern European countries, it is spelled Pjetmaier or Pjetmajer.
In some regions Pfitzmaier has also been adapted to be a given name and is often seen spelled as Fittsmaie, Fittsmaier, Fittsmyer, Fittzmaier, Fittzmyer, or Fitsmyer. There is also a variant of this surname which is found in Austria and it is Pfitser.
Overall, the surname Pfitzmaier is an old name which has been around since Medieval times and has since changed significantly in spelling and pronunciation due to different regional variations. It has also spawned many offshoots of similar surnames and given names around the world.
Famous people with the name Pfitzmaier
- George Pfitzmaier: George Pfitzmaier is a former professional American football player who played in the National Football League (NFL), mainly as a defensive back.
- Werner Pfitzmaier: Werner Pfitzmaier is an Austrian mechanical engineer. He studied at the Technical University of Vienna and was awarded his doctorate in 1964.
- Patricia Pfitzmaier: Patricia Pfitzmaier is a chef and restaurateur from Brazil.
- Adolf Pfitzmaier: Adolf Pfitzmaier was an Austrian football player. He was a defender who played for the team 'First Vienna'.
- Rollo Pfitzmaier: Rollo Pfitzmaier was a professional American football player. He played for the National Football League's 'Chicago Cardinals'.
- Karl Pfitzmaier: Karl Pfitzmaier was a German glass artist. He was the son of an engineer and learned craftsmanship. He turned to glass in 1889, before taking over his father's glass factory in 1893.
- Ferdinand Pfitzmaier: Ferdinand Pfitzmaier was an Austrian landscape artist. He is renowned for his lively landscapes in the style of the Tyrol.
- Johann Pfitzmaier: Johann Pfitzmaier was a German politician. He was the mayor of Plattling for the Social Democratic Party from 1919 to 1933.
- Josef Pfitzmaier: Josef Pfitzmaier was an Austrian sculptor. He is best known for his 'Justice Group' which is set in front of the chambers of the 'Wirtschaftskammer Stockerau'.