Surname Untermayer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'U'
Untermayer: What does the surname Untermayer mean?
The last name Untermayer is of German origin and typically originates from the Bavarian region of Germany. The name is composed of two elements, unter and Meyer, that are combined to form a unique surname. The first element, Unter, is derived from the German word unter, meaning "below," and the second element, Meyer, is a variant of the popular German surname Meyer, meaning "steward or superintendent of a household or estate."
The combination of these elements to form Untermayer is thought to indicate that the original bearer of the name once acted as a steward or superintendent of a household or estate that was located below—or situated lower than—some other property.
The Untermayer surname has been documented as far back as 1657, when a Hans Untermayer living in present-day Austria appeared in written records for the first time. Historians who have studied the surname believe that the first Untermayer families likely traveled from their original Bavarian homes south and east, eventually settling in regions of Austria and Bohemia.
The name has since spread to many other countries throughout Europe and is currently most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and the United States. It is also known to be relatively common in Quebec and other parts of Canada. Individuals bearing the Untermayer name are proud of their distinguishing origin and typically continue to honor its heritage and history.
Order DNA origin analysisUntermayer: Where does the name Untermayer come from?
The last name Untermayer is most commonly found in Eastern Central Europe, more specifically Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. In Austria, it is the 270th most common name as of 2019. In Slovakia, it ranks as the 567th most common surname, and in Hungary, it is the 1,092nd most common name.
The surname Untermayer is a variation of the Slovenian name Zelnwmajer or “below the mayor” and is believed to have first been used in the 16th century. It is believed to have been originated by a family of peasant landlords near Dobrova over 500 years ago.
The name Untermayer is still widely used in these countries today. It is also seen in the US, though to a much lesser degree. According to the US Census Bureau in 2018, approximately 313 people in the US shared the surname Untermayer. This is roughly a 0.0001% frequency throughout the US, which is much lower than in the Eastern Central European countries where it originated.
Variations of the surname Untermayer
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Untermayer are:
Untermayer – The most common spelling of the surname, Untermayer, has German roots. The surname probably derived from the root words "unter" and "mayer" which typically signify being a "lower mayor" or magistrate. It could also be derived from the German word "umrieter" which signifies a horseman or messenger.
Untermaier – A variant of the Untermayer surname, Untermaier is derived from the same root words but has undergone slight alterations over time.
Untermaire – This is a rare variant of the Untermayer surname, derived from the same roots.
Untermayr – Another variant of the Untermayer surname, Untermayr is derived from the same root words. It is typically seen in the Austrian variant of the surname.
Untermeyer – A variant of the Untermayer surname, Untermeyer is a more anglicized form, replacing the German "ae" character for "e".
Untermair – Another variant of the Untermayer surname, Untermair is derived from the same root words. This form of the surname is most commonly seen in Austria.
Untermeyer – A rare variant of the Untermayer surname, Untermeyer is another anglicized form of the same root word.
Untermyer – Another variant of the Untermayer surname, Untermyer is a rare anglicized variant of the same root word.
Untermair – One of the rarer variants of the Untermayer surname, Untermair is derived from the same root words and is most commonly seen in Austria.
Unterneyer – A very rare variant of the Untermayer surname, Unterneyer is an anglicized form of the same root word.
Overall, the surname Untermayer has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variants typically stem from the German root words "unter" and "mayer", meaning a "lower mayor" or magistrate, as well as the Austrian word "umrieter", which signifies a horseman or messenger.
Famous people with the name Untermayer
- Laszlo Untermayer: Laszlo Untermayer was a Hungarian-born cinematographer who worked in Hollywood primarily during the 1940s and 1950s. His credits include Ray Milland and Barbara Stanwyck's The Lost Weekend, Them!, and The Naked Spur (1953).
- Carla Untermayer- Carla Untermayer is a contemporary Spanish artist based in Barcelona, specializing in abstract painting and sculpture.
- Hans Untermayer: Hans Untermayer was a German historian and author who wrote extensively about World War II and its aftermath.
- Robert Untermayer: Robert Untermayer was a German-born American pianist and composer who worked in a number of Broadway musicals, as well as film and television projects. Some of his credits include Golden Boy (1939) and Cry Danger (1951).
- Richard Untermayer: Richard Untermayer was an American journalist and historian who published a number of works on US geographical regions.
- Arthur Untermayer: Arthur Untermayer was an Austrian politician who served as the Minister for Social Affairs and Labour from 1921 to 1922.
- Olaf Untermayer: Olaf Untermayer is a German architect and university professor. He is the former director of the Institute for Urban Design at the University of Karlsruhe.