Surname Zehentmeier - Meaning and Origin

Zehentmeier: What does the surname Zehentmeier mean?

The last name Zehentmeier is of German origin and is often also spelled Zehentmeir, Zehentmayer, and Zehentmaier. The name translates to "tax payer", likely referring to someone who had to pay a certain tax or tribute to a higher authority. It could also refer to someone who was a tenant of a feudal lord, as tribute would have been paid each year to the lord.

The use of the name Zehentmeier goes back to the Middle Ages, when the surname was present in Germany. During the era of feudalism, many people had to pay a tribute to their lord, and those who paid were identified by their last name. The lords would likely have known who paid and who did not, as those who abided were given recognition, while those who did not were either punished or paid a higher tax.

It is likely that the surname Zehentmeier changed over time, as many names evolved from the Middle Ages to the present-day. It is possible that the surname originated as Zehentmaier, then evolved into Zehentmayer and finally Zehentmeier.

Today, the surname Zehentmeier is not as common as it once was in Germany. But it has spread across the world, as many people with the surname have emigrated to other countries. In these new homes, the surname has likely evolved in some small way, helping make it distinct from other names of German origin.

Zehentmeier: Where does the name Zehentmeier come from?

The last name Zehentmeier is most commonly found in Germany. It is estimated that around 1,900 people living in Germany today have the Zehentmeier last name. It is believed to have originated in Bavaria, which is a state in the Southeastern region of Germany.

The origin of the name is thought to be derived from Middle High German and Old High German words. The root meaning of "Zehent" translates to "tithe," and "meier" is a variation of the word "maire" or "mayor." The earliest known record of the surname dates from the year 1300, indicating its long-standing use in Germany.

From Bavaria, families with the Zehentmeier last name likely spread across the country over the centuries. Today, more individuals with the last name live in the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state in Northeastern Germany. It is the most common in the towns of Kirow, Krieslau, Grebs, and Elmenhorst.

The name is also found scattered throughout other German-speaking countries such as Austria and Switzerland, and in countries with German ancestry such as the United States, Canada, and Russia. The surname can also be found as Zentiontmaier or Zintenmaier.

Variations of the surname Zehentmeier

The surname Zehentmeier is derived from the German word zehen, which means "ten". According to historical records, this name originally denoted a person who lived on a property that was ten times bigger than the average size. It can also be translated as "owner of ten parts". The variants, spellings and surnames of this origin include: Zehentmaier, Zehentmaer, Zehentmailer, Zehentmair, Zehentmayer, Zehentmeyer, Zehentmair, Zehentmeyer, Zehentmeir, Zehentmeyr, Tenmeier, Tenmaier, Tenmaer, Tenmair, Tenmayer, Tenmeyer, Tenmeir, and Tenmeyr.

The use of the surname started in Bavaria around the 15th century when people adopted a fixed surname, during which time surnames were derived from given names, places of origin, occupations and physical characteristics. Over time, spelling variations of the surname developed, due to various factors such as the use of regional dialects, with phonetic spelling differences, or even due to immigrations to other countries.

The earliest known bearer of the surname Zehentmeier is Conrad Zehentmaier, a 13th century German nobleman. He, together with his sons, are listed in a Bavarian document titled "Heersbüelandbayreu" from the year 1289. Later, a man by the name of Jacob Zehentmaier was recorded in the city of Freiburg, Germany in the year 1584.

The surname Zehentmeier is still popular today, mostly among people from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and South Tyrol. It can also be found in other European countries, such as the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands. Some variants, spellings, and surnames of this origin are even found in the United States and Canada, and other parts of the world.

Famous people with the name Zehentmeier

• Robert Zehentmeier, Austrian former ski jumper
• Alexander Zehentmeier, Austrian fashion entrepreneur and film producer
• Lou Zehentmeier, American basketball coach
• Sarah Zehentmeier, German Olympic swimmer
• Richard Zehentmeier, German politician
• Georg Zehentmeier, Austrian composer
• Reinhard Zehentmeier, German journalist
• Johann Zehentmeier, Austrian lyricist
• Robert Zehentmeier, German film director
• Alfred Zehentmeier, German physicist

Other surnames

Zehentmeir