Surname Zeitlmayr - Meaning and Origin
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Zeitlmayr: What does the surname Zeitlmayr mean?
The last name Zeitlmayr is of German origin and has two possible meanings. The first being derived from the Middle High German word "zeitl", which means scythe. Thus, Zeitlmayr could be interpreted as "scythe-keeper". Alternatively, it could mean someone who defends or guards the time in some way.
In the Middle Ages, scythes were a vital tool for harvesting crops, and those who specialized in the craft of sharpening and maintaining them would have become known as "Zeitlmayrs". The name may also serve as an occupational surname for someone who practiced the profession of time-keeping in some capacity - such as a clock-maker or a church sexton.
Throughout the centuries, the surname has evolved, with various spellings, to the most common modern form of Zeitlmayr. People with this name are mainly found in the regions of Bavaria, Central Germany and Austria.
Today, the surname Zeitlmayr is still widely used as a family name to indicate a shared heritage, with many families being able to trace their roots back to the original medieval German meaning of the name.
Order DNA origin analysisZeitlmayr: Where does the name Zeitlmayr come from?
The last name Zeitlmayr is quite rare today and its distribution is quite sporadic. Most bearers of this surname live primarily in Germany, while there are smaller populations of individuals with this name in Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, and the United States.
In Germany, the last name Zeitlmayr is most commonly found in the state of Bavaria, with some additional presence in the states of Hesse and Saarland. In Bavaria, it is most concentrated in and around the Rhineland-Palatinate region, which includes the cities of Munich, Nuremberg, and Kaiserslautern as well as the surrounding towns and villages.
In the Netherlands, the last name Zeitlmayr is found mainly in Friesland province, which is located in the northern part of the country, as well as some presence in Drenthe province. The surname is also found in Austria, primarily in the state of Styria as well as in Vienna, the nation's capital.
In the US, the last name Zeitlmayr is most commonly found in the states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Illinois, New York, and Texas, although it can also be found in other states such as Florida, Colorado, and Oregon.
In Poland, the last name Zeitlmayr is most frequently found in the state of Lower Silesia, which is situated in the southwestern corner of the country. The village of Zaw Shen is said to have some of the highest concentrations of the surname.
Variations of the surname Zeitlmayr
The surname Zeitlmayr is a common surname in many parts of Europe, including Germany and Austria. It can also be found in other countries such as the United States and Canada.
The surname originates from the German words “zeit”, meaning time and “maurer” which means mason or builder. Over time, the surname has undergone several variations and spellings in various languages.
Some of the variants and spellings of the surname Zeitlmayr include Zeitmair, Zitlmaier, Zittlmaier, Zittlmeyer, Zirtlmaier, and Zoitlmaier.
The surname can also be found in variants in other languages such as the Italian Zitlmayer or Zittlmayer, the French Cytlmayer, and the Dutch Zijtlmaier.
In some cases, the surname has been shortened to just Mayr or Mayer. It has also been altered to surnames such as Zeitler, Zeitlinsmaier, or Zeitlinger.
Other related surnames are Zimermann, Zinnmaier, and Zirnmair. Some variants of Zeitlmayr have been adopted as given names and appear in the United States as Zaitl or Zaytl.
Overall, these variations of the surname Zeitlmayr all suggest that its original bearer worked or specialized in the occupation of masonry or time-keeping, and ultimately serve to trace back his work and profession to him and his descendants.
Famous people with the name Zeitlmayr
- Paul Zeitlmayr: internationally renowned mountain guide
- Andreas Zeitlmayr: Austrian chef and restaurateur
- Johann Zeitlmayr: former professional cross-country skier
- Joe Zeitlmayr: former professional basketball player
- Gereon Zeitlmayr: award-winning playwright
- Karl-Heinz Zeitlmayr: German-Austrian sculptor
- Stanislaus Zeitlmayr: Old-Austrian political figure
- Sigrid Zeitlmayr: German businesswoman
- Russel Zeitlmayr: retired German footballer
- Claudia Zeitlmayr: acclaimed opera singer