Surname Unterreitmeier - Meaning and Origin
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Unterreitmeier: What does the surname Unterreitmeier mean?
Unterreitmeier is a German surname which translates literally to ‘under-rider’ or ‘sub-rider’. The term is derived from a German word which combines two words, 'Unter' and 'Reiter' meaning 'under' and 'rider' respectively. Thus, the surname Unterreitmeier can be seen to be associated with a subservient or subordinate role in a hierarchical setting such as a nobleman’s court. It is likely that the ancestors of this name were servants or horse trainers who worked with and around horses in a nobleman’s court.
The surname likely originates from the Middle Ages in Germany and likely would have been incredibly common in the agricultural and horse-breeding Bavarian areas. It is likely that the name would have been given to those who held a low-ranking position or were in some way below a more important nobleman.
Unterreitmeier can still be found in Germany today, though its prevalence is limited. It is believed that the use of this surname is so rare today due to the changing nature of aristocratic courts in recent centuries; if the court no longer exists, neither does the need for a 'sub rider'.
Order DNA origin analysisUnterreitmeier: Where does the name Unterreitmeier come from?
The last name Unterreitmeier is most common in Germany today. According to a genealogy site, it is most prevalent in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg, located in the southeastern corner of the country. In Bavaria, the name is most often found in the cities of Dusseldorf, Cologne, Aachen, and Krefeld. In Baden-Wurttemberg, its more common in the cities of Ulm, Heilbronn, Mannheim, and Stuttgart.
Research also reveals that the surname Unterreitmeier has roots in Germany going back hundreds of years. The areas of Franconia, Swabia, and Baden are all believed to have hosted significant populations in the past, and it appears that the name has been spread across the rest of Germany over time.
The name Unterreitmeier has also spread to other parts of Europe, such as Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, although it appears to be most common in its homeland of Germany. Unterreitmeier is also known to have made its way to the United States in the 1800s, although it is not currently as common in the US as it is in Europe. According to the United States Census Bureau, Unterreitmeier was the 8,784th most common last name in 2018.
Variations of the surname Unterreitmeier
The surname Unterreitmeier is of German origin and has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common spelling of this name is Unterreitmeier but other variations and equivalents include Underreitmaier, Unterreitmaier, Unter Reitmaier, Unterreitmayer, Unter Reitmayer, Unter Reitmeyer, Under Reitmeyer, Untremaier, Untremaer, Unteremaier, Antermaier, Antermeier, and OKnaustmaier.
Some of the surnames of the same origin that may have evolved from Unterreitmeier include Unterreithmeier, Unterreitneier, Untereithmayer, Unterrietmeier, Unterleitner, and Antermeier.
Historically, this surname may have evolved from a geographic location. This surname also originated in the Rhineland Palatinate region of Germany and may have originally been a reference to a person living at the “lower riding meadow.” It is also possible that Unterreitmeier is derived from a nick name.
The earliest records of this surname date back to the 15th century in Germany. The progenitor of this name is believed to be one Johann Untereitmaier of the Schwabisch Gmund area, recorded in 1402.
Today, Unterreitmeier is a widely-spread surname in Germany. It can also be found in various countries around the world where it has been adopted by German immigrants or those of German descent.
Famous people with the name Unterreitmeier
- Stephan Unterreitmeier: German actor, known for A Man Called Breezes (2003) and Die Schwaermer (2009).
- Andreas Unterreitmeier: Austrian ski jumper, competed in the Olympics in 1992 and 1994.
- Hans Unterreitmeier: German composer, won several awards for his operas and body of work.
- Frank Unterreitmeier: German football player, competed in the Bundesliga with VfB Stuttgart.
- Monika Unterreitmeier: German travel writer, has written several books on her trips around the world.
- Volker Unterreitmeier: German designer, famous for his furniture pieces and architecture work.
- Wolfgang Unterreitmeier: Austrian racing car driver, competed in the European Touring Car Championship in 1993.
- Otmar Unterreitmeier: German historian, wrote several books on the history of the Roman Empire.
- Simon Unterreitmeier: German film director, won the Berlinale film festival in 2006 for his movie named “Lines of Dispersion”.
- Johannes Unterreitmeier: Swiss skier, competed in several World Cup competitions.