Surname Zehentmaier - Meaning and Origin

Zehentmaier: What does the surname Zehentmaier mean?

The last name Zehentmaier is of German origin and is derived from the old High German elements “zehan” (ten) and “meir” (markets). Originally, the surname referred to a person who was an authority responsible for assessing and collecting taxes from ten markets, or it referred to the owner of ten markets. As such, it was an occupational name for someone who was a tax collector or a merchant.

The name has been found in Bavaria, the Austro-Hungarian region, and throughout central and eastern Europe since the medieval period. It is listed in the archives of German and Austrian cities such as Vienna, Graz, and Prague as early as the 1600s. Today, the last name is still common within these regions.

The name Zehentmaier can be translated to mean the “ten market owner” or “ten marketer”. It is sometimes found as “Zehntmaier”, with an extra t at the beginning, and can also be spelled “Zenntmaier” or “Zehntmayer”. Variants of the surname include Zehentmeier, Zehntmeier, and Zehntmeir.

Zehentmaier: Where does the name Zehentmaier come from?

The last name Zehentmaier is most commonly seen today in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. The origin of the name is thought to have been most likely derived from Bavaria in Central Europe.

The earliest known mention of the name was in a book of baptisms of baroque church priests. It was used to describe a family of priests who lived in Nuremberg during the late 18th century. It would appear that they were of some importance, as the name appears in multiple sources from the era.

In more recent times, the name has been seen mostly in the Bavarian region as well as in Switzerland. It has grown in popularity in Austria as well. As of available records, it is believed that there are over 1000 Zehentmaier families in Europe today.

The name Zehentmaier is mostly associated with the common areas it is seen in today, and it is believed to have originated from Bavaria. Its use and popularity have varied over the years, but the last name is still seen in many parts of Europe today.

Variations of the surname Zehentmaier

The surname Zehentmaier is a German name originating from the old German language. It can be spelled several ways, including Zehentmayr, Zehentmeyer, Zehentmayer, and Zehevenmaier. There are several variants of this name which are brought about by a combination of cultural and family traditions regarding surname spelling and usage.

In Germany, it is also referred to, phonetically, as Taitamyer, Taitamair, and Taittmair. Variants in Switzerland and Austria may appear as Zehentmair, Zehentmüller, Zehentmüller, Zehentmeier, and Zehentmaier.

In the United States, the surname is often anglicized to Zehntmayer, Zehntmair, Zehntmeier, Zehentmier, and Zehntmyer. The Irish variant is 'Taitemire'.

In other countries, the surname has undergone spelling changes which are reflective of the particular dialects spoken in that region. The surname can appear as Zehintmair, Tehintmair, Zehintweir, Tehintmaier, Zehintmayer, Zehinteweir, Zehintmyer, Tehintmaire, and Tehintmayr.

Regardless of the spelling, Zehentmaier is a surname of longstanding heritage, known to have been in use in Germany since the 16th century. It is derived from the Middle High German root word ‘zewent’, which is a derogatory term for peasants. It can also be linked to the old German spelling of ‘zehent’ which means a tithe or tax.

Famous people with the name Zehentmaier

• Wolfgang Zehentmaier, Austrian politician
• Manly Zehentmaier, American artist
• Alexander Zehentmaier, Austrian musician and producer
• Fritz Zehentmaier, Austrian engineer
• Christina Zehentmaier, Austrian weaver and fiber artist
• Helmut Zehentmaier, German musicologist
• Robert Zehentmaier, Austrian painter
• Alois Zehentmaier, Austrian photographer and designer
• Ida Zehentmaier, Austrian illustrator and letterer
• Juliana Zehentmaier, Austrian graphic designer
• Rupert Zehentmaier, Austrian legal historian
• Eva Zehentmaier, Austrian costume designer
• Joachim Zehentmaier, German architect
• Erwin Zehentmaier, Austrian composer
• Michael Zehentmaier, Austrian curler
• Heinz Zehentmaier, Austrian restaurateur

Other surnames

ZehentmairZehentmayer