Surname Zehetmeyer - Meaning and Origin
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Zehetmeyer: What does the surname Zehetmeyer mean?
The last name Zehetmeyer is a German surname derived from the elements Zehet, meaning "hay" and Meyer, meaning "farmer" or "steward". As a result, it is likely that the name originated as an occupational surname for a farmer or one who worked in a farm.
The earliest record of the name, from a church book in Bavaria, dates back to 1573. It is believed to have originated in Switzerland before spreading throughout the German states and regions during the 16th century. Today, the surname is found throughout the German-speaking world, as well as parts of Austria, such as Vorarlberg and Tyrol.
In some cases, Zehetmeyer has been altered to sound similar to other German surnames, such as Seitmayer or Seidmeyer. In other cases, the name may have been altered due to spelling errors, such as Zehetmaier or Zeitermeyer.
Overall, the name Zehetmeyer has a strong long-standing German heritage; it is associated with occupational trades, farming and stewardship. It is also a rather unique and rare name, which makes it all the more special for those who carry it.
Order DNA origin analysisZehetmeyer: Where does the name Zehetmeyer come from?
The Zehetmeyer surname is not very common, but can be found in a handful of countries across the world. The surname's highest concentrations can be found today in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. In Austria, there are around 1,000 people with the last name Zehetmeyer. It is most concentrated in provinces such as Vorarlberg, Tyrol, and Salzburg. The next highest concentration of Zehetmeyers is in Germany. Approximately 1,500 people bear this surname and are most commonly found in Bavaria and Hesse. Lastly, there are around 305 Zehetmeyers in Switzerland, mainly located in the Grisons region.
The Zehetmeyer surname has likely derived from a combination of two German words: “Zehet” and “meyer”. The word “zehet” is an old form of the Middle High German word “zeten”, which is an occupational term for people who processed linen. The surname “Meyer” is a form of the Old German word for a “Courtyard Administrator”. Therefore, the origin of the Zehetmeyer surname likely stems from those who worked as “linen-processing courtyard administrators”. This coincides with Austria’s historical significance as one of the main hubs of linen production in Europe during the Middle Ages.
The Zehetmeyer surname is still fairly rare today, but is very present in a few countries across Central Europe, especially in Austria and Germany. Many branches of the Zehetmeyer family have likely spread out and resettled into other parts of the world, though it is difficult to trace where they might be.
Variations of the surname Zehetmeyer
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Zehetmeyer are variations of the surname Zehetmaier. Variations of the name Zehetmaier include Zetzemaier, Zetemayer, Zetemeyer, Zehetmayr, Zehetmeir, Zehetmair and Zehetmey.
The name Zehetmaier is derived from the German word zech, which means rents or payments made to a ruler. It is thought to have been a name for someone who collected taxes, or a profession like a sheriff or assessor. The suffix ‘-maier’ denoted a holder of a particular office or position in Bavaria and is a combination of ‘Mag’, meaning power and ‘Aire’, which means ruler or owner. Therefore, the name Zehetmaier means ruler of the taxes in its original form.
Variants of Zehetmaier appear to have derived from local dialects which offer slight variations of the original name. The providence of Baden-Württemberg is renowned for numerous dialects which changed the spelling slightly to the familiar variants we see today.
The name Zehetmaier is believed to have started appearing in large numbers in the 1700s. The name was well established in the Oberpfalz region of Bavaria by this time, with the town of Gaudernbach historically being a popular residence of Zehetmaier families.
The exact origin of the surname Zehetmaier is obscure, however, due to the use of surnames being an emerging concept in the 1500s. While the origin of the name is currently unknown, the name is still historically associated with paying taxes. This is further evidenced by the popular variants Zehetmayr and Zehetmey, which translate literally to ‘tax payer’ and ‘taxes’ respectively.
The surname Zehetmaier is still widely used today and is found in countries such as Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic, United States of America and Canada.
Famous people with the name Zehetmeyer
- John Zehetmeyer (1891-1981), an American Rabbi and Professor of Theology.
- Udo Zehetmeyer (born 1960), a German entrepreneur and author.
- Andreas Zehetmeyer (born 1963), a German engineer and politician.
- Bernhard Zehetmeyer (born 1967), an Austrian musicologist and theologian.
- Hermine Zehetmeyer (1926-2007), an Austrian actress and singer.
- Johanna Zehetmeyer (1870-1954), a Swiss artist and book illustrator known for her enchanting illustrations of children's stories.
- Leo Zehetmeyer (1895-1973), an Austrian-American sculptor.
- Maximillian Zehetmeyer (born 1990), a German musician and producer.
- Sophie Zehetmeyer (fl. 1809-1816), a German lady's maid.
- Stephen Zehetmeyer (fl. 1880-1910), an American Civil War veteran.