Surname Kleemayr - Meaning and Origin
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Kleemayr: What does the surname Kleemayr mean?
The surname Kleemayr is of German origin and can be found mostly in Austria. The origin of the name is derived from the Middle High German Kleemeyer or Kliebmeyer, meaning a “shoemaker”. It could be translated as someone from a family of people who worked as cobblers. The literal translation of the name is “clay master,” indicating a person who was specialized in working with clay, shaping and crafting shoes out of it.
The Kleemayr surname can be found on records dating back as far as the 1500s, derived from several regions of Central Europe, such as Poland, Austria, Bohemia, Prussia and Saxony. During the time when many families began to emigrate to the United States, some spellings of the name changed to match the English-speaking language, yielding variations such as Clemayer, Klimayer, and Kleemeyer.
Today, one can find many Kleemayrs in the United States, most familial lines having descended from Eastern Europe, albeit several generations since. The thus-related Kleemayrs of America have mostly spread across the southern and midwestern parts of the country and retain many of their German ancestry customs and beliefs.
Order DNA origin analysisKleemayr: Where does the name Kleemayr come from?
The last name Kleemayr is mainly associated with Europe today, though records suggest the name may have its origins in the Middle East. In modern times, the name has been most commonly found in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It is also seen in other countries throughout Europe, including France, Italy, and Spain. It is believed that the surname may have developed from an old Germanic name “K refers to leader and lem referring to desire or striving.”
In Austria, the Kleemayr family is one of the oldest and most prominent, with records dating back to 1590. The Kleemayrs were successful miners and merchants, and even rose to political power. They developed a stronghold in the town of Hall in Tyrol, where the family name can still be found today.
Likewise, in Bavaria, the Kleemayrs are known as successful merchants. They first appeared on record in 1739 when they founded a business in Andorf. The Kleemayrs have a long history in Germany, as they served as “personal agents to the princes and counts of Bavaria.”
The name is also seen in Switzerland, with records dating back to 1810. Switzerland was home to a large number of Kleemayrs, as they worked in oil fields near the Aargau region.
Today, the last name Kleemayr is mostly associated with Europe, but is slowly gaining popularity around the world. With more people researching their family’s history, the name will likely continue to spread in the coming decades.
Variations of the surname Kleemayr
Kleemayr is a Germanic surname derived from the Old German words 'cleme' (proud) and 'heior' (brave). The name was first recorded in the 12th century, and the earliest known bearer of the name was Hartwinus de Clamario, who was mentioned in a document in 1245. Over the centuries, the surname has developed many variants, spellings and other surnames of the same origin.
Common variants of Kleemayr include Klammerer, Cleemer, Klementz, Klemmer, Clemmer, Klaemer, Kleemayer, Kleimayer, Klimmer, and Klimmerer. Spellings can also differ, with Cleamer, Klemayer, and Klämmer being some of the variants.
Surnames of the same origin include Cleemeyer, Kleymeyer, Kliemeyer, Clemehans, and Clamager. Clamager is an interesting example as it is derived from the French word 'clamager', meaning slumber. There are also related surnames from other languages, such as the Italian 'Chiama', which means to call, and the Croatian 'Klašan', which means curly.
In addition, there are many toponymic or locative surnames derived from Kleemayr, such as Kleemayrerhof (a farm location in Upper Bavaria) and Kleemayrsteg (a bridge near Munich).
Overall, the various variants, spellings, and surnames of Kleemayr are reflective of the linguistic, cultural, and geographic diversity of the Germanic region. Each of these unique variants, spellings and surnames has likely developed along its own path and has its own unique story to tell.
Famous people with the name Kleemayr
- Louis Kleemayr: Austrian cross-country skier who competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics.
- Friedrich Kleemayr: Austrian goldsmith and sculptor who was active in the late 19th/early 20th century.
- Ignaz Kleemayr: Austrian painter, engraver and editor known for his Impressionist and Symbolist motifs.
- August Kleemayr: Austrian author and theater director during the late 19th century.
- Anton Kleemayr: Austrian General who served in World War II and was the first commander of the Austrian Air Force in 1945.
- Georg Kleemayr: Austrian mountaineer and adventurer who made the first ascent of Mount Everest in 1935.
- Joseph Kleemayr: Austrian cinematographer and visual effects specialist who was active in the film industry from the 1960s to the 1990s.
- Johann Kleemayr: Austrian artist and architect who designed important buildings such as the Vienna State Opera and the Burgtheater in Vienna.
- Dorothea Kleemayr: Austrian author and philanthropist who was active in social welfare and education projects in the Austrian Empire during the 19th century.
- Karl Kleemayr: Austrian entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded several successful companies in the early 20th century.