Surname Ratmer - Meaning and Origin
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Ratmer: What does the surname Ratmer mean?
The surname Ratmer is an ancient Germanic name, derived from the personal name Ratmar, meaning "famed counselor". It is likely that the origins of the name date back to the Proto-Germanic root *rat- (counseling/advice), combined with the suffix -mar or -mer (famous/glorious).
The name Ratmar was in use before the year 1000, and its popularity can be seen in surviving records, particularly in documents dated from the 12th to the 16th centuries. During this period, the name could be found throughout Europe, especially in Germany, Switzerland, and parts of the Low Countries. In some regions, the name was eventually corrupted to take on various alternate spellings, such as Ratmer, Radmer, Radmar, and Radmir.
The original Ratmar was likely a prominent figure, usually a wise and respected counselor or advisor, who enjoyed a degree of fame among his contemporaries. Through the centuries, the Ratmer name has been a reflection of the nobility of this ancestor - an individual of great intelligence and insight who could be called upon to give wise counsel.
As with all things, the Ratmer name has evolved over time. Today, the original spelling has been lost, replaced by numerous variations ranging from Radmer, Radmar, and Ratmar to Ratmair and Ratmeer. Regardless of the form, the name Ratmer is indicative of a proud heritage, one marked by a strong sense of character and loyalty, and a keen intellect.
Order DNA origin analysisRatmer: Where does the name Ratmer come from?
The last name Ratmer is most commonly found in regions of Eastern Germany, particularly in the states of Saxony, Bavaria, and Thuringia. It is believed to be a derived occupational name, as the "rat" in Ratmer is likely associated with the German word for "council". People bearing the Ratmer name were likely believed to hold a position in a regional council.
The Ratmer name first appears in church records from the 14th century, and the most notable bearer of the Ratmer name was Carl Ratmer, who was an artist in the late 19th century and a founder of the Kunstlerkolonie Gebirge, or the Mountain Artist's Colony in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Today, the Ratmer name has spread to other regions of Germany and Europe, such as the United Kingdom, Poland, Austria, and more. It is also found in areas of the US and Canada, likely due to the migration of some German families in the early 20th century. The exact number of Ratmer families today is impossible to know, but due to it being a relatively uncommon name, the Ratmer families around the world likely still stay in contact and maintain a sense of kinship.
Variations of the surname Ratmer
The surname Ratmer is an old German name with numerous variations in spelling. Variants of the name include Ratamir, Rat climax, Ratone, Ratomir, Ratomeer, Ratomar, Ratomair, Ratomare, Ratamer, Ratteamer, Ratteamer, and Ratemir. The name is derived from the Old High German word "radimir," which means "decider of counsel."
The spelling variation of Ratmer in the United States also includes the spelling Rathmer. It is a variant of the German name Rathmer. The German name is derived from the Old German radmar, which means "indomitable power." The word also combined with the Latin mare, meaning "sea," and refers to a person's power on the sea.
Other spellings include Redmer, Rademyer, Raidmer, and Reedmer. These all stem from the Old German word "rademer," meaning "counselor." Variations of the name include Redmair, Radmayer, Raidmeyer, Raidmeyer, Rahdmeer, Rahdmeer, Radmair, and Redmeer.
The surname Ratmer is also sometimes spelled as Ratmaier, Ratmair, Ratman, Rateman, Ratteman, Ratemair, Ratemeyer, Ratemir, and Rattemeyer. Other variants include Reidmayr, Reitemeyer, Reitemair, Reedmair, Reitemir, Radmayer, Radmair, Rademeyer, Rademair, Rademier, and Rademeyer.
In conclusion, Ratmer is a very old German name with many spellings and variants. There are numerous interpretations of the word, all of which are rooted in Germanic language and history.
Famous people with the name Ratmer
- Doctor Bruce Ratner: New York based billionaire developer
- Kenneth Ratner: American real estate developer
- Nathan Ratner: American basketball player
- Pesach Ratner: 19th-century Hasidic Jewish rabbi
- Riva Ratner: American lawyer
- Robert Ratner: American physician, past president of the American Diabetes Association
- Stanley Ratner: American philanthropist
- Taavi Ratner: Estonian figure skater
- Tatjana Ratner: Russian singer-songwriter
- Yevgeny Ratner: Ukrainian historian