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Surname Zehtmeier - Meaning and Origin

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Zehtmeier: What does the surname Zehtmeier mean?

The last name Zehtmeier is a German surname deriving from two elements – ‘zeh’ and ‘meier’. The element ‘zeh’ is of Middle High German origin meaning ‘grain’, while ‘meier’ originates from the word ‘meie’ meaning ‘mayor’. Put together, the surname Zehtmeier can be translated as ‘mayor in charge of grain’.

The surname has been found in various guises throughout Germany. The spelling variations ‘Zehmer’, ‘Zehmeier’, ‘Zehmair’, ‘Zehmeyere’ and ‘Zeitmaier’, are all found in German records.

Many Zehtmeiers have shared a common history and have usually been found in the farming and linen trade. From the 17thcentury, Zehtmeiers were living in villages from the Rhineland palatinate, in the south of Germany, to West Prussia in the north. Later generations of the Zehtmeier family later branched out as merchants and craftsmen, as well as laborers.

As a result of mass emigration from Germany in the 19th century, the surname can be found in the Americas, particularly in Argentina, Mexico and the United States.

Today, there are many Zehtmeiers located around the world and the family name is most commonly found in Germany, the US and other parts of Europe.

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Zehtmeier: Where does the name Zehtmeier come from?

The Zehtmeier surname is quite common today in Germany, where its first known roots were established. It is also found in Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Interestingly, it is also quite common among families who moved to the United States from Germany in the 17th century and can still be found among those who descended from the immigrants, especially in Pennsylvania.

The Zehtmeier surname is derived from the Old German words Zehet meaning "complain" and Meier meaning "overseer". Therefore, its literal meaning could be translated as "overseer who complains". Historians have suggested that the name likely originated among people who were tasked with overseeing a lord's estate and were expected to "complain" or report any irregularities.

Today, the Zehtmeier surname is quite common in the U.S. and Europe. Its usage is especially frequent in areas with large German populations, such as Pennsylvania and parts of Minnesota, as well as in areas with significant Dutch influence, like the Netherlands. In general, the Zehtmeier name is an important part of German-American genealogy, where it continues to remind many of their ancestors, and the families they left behind.

Variations of the surname Zehtmeier

The surname Zehtmeier has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include the German Zehtmeier, and the Dutch Zethmeijer, Zetmeijer, Zethmeijer, Zethmey, Zethmay, and Zethmeer.

The German Zehtmeier likely originated in the former Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany, with the first documented reference to the surname dating back to 1650 in the nearby Heidelberg. In this early record, the original bearer of the name was a Hartkamp Zehtmeier.

The Dutch Zethmeijer, Zetmeijer, Zethmey, Zethmeer, and Zethmay variants likely originated in the Dutch province of Overijsel in the Netherlands, with the first documented reference to the surname dating back to 1695 in the nearby Mariënvelde. The record lists Flatijn Zeuthmeijer.

The Dutch-American surname Zeth may also be of the same origin as the Zehtmeier variants, likely coming from the Dutch Zeuthmeijer. The first recorded example of the name in America was in 1775, when Anje Zeth recorded in Colonial Pennsylvania records.

The Zehtmeier variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are likely associated with the same ancestral root. This root likely began in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany, and later spread to the Dutch province of Overijsel in the Netherlands and to Colonial Pennsylvania in the United States.

Famous people with the name Zehtmeier

  • Peggy Zehtmeir, a radio personality on 96.1 KISS-FM in Pittsburgh
  • Shawn Zehetmeier, an actor who has appeared in television shows like "Brothers and Sisters" and "Good Luck Charlie"
  • Andy Zehtmeir, an author who has written several adventure and science fiction novels
  • W. David Zehtmeir, a professional tennis player who competed in the US Open Grand Slam
  • Martin Zehtmeir, a painter who primarily works with oil and acrylics
  • Tim Zehtmeir, a Broadway actor who has a singing and dancing career
  • Wolfgang Zehtmeir, a football player from the Netherlands, and member of Feyenoord
  • Melissa Zehtmeir, an artist and landscape painter
  • Don Zehtmeir, a chef and restaurant owner, known for his delicious Italian cuisine
  • Eric Zehtmeir, a video game designer, responsible for creating popular games like "Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor"

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