Surname Linsenmair - Meaning and Origin
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Linsenmair: What does the surname Linsenmair mean?
The last name Linsenmair is of German origin. It is derived from the word "Linsen" which means 'lentils' in German and the word "mair", which means 'mayor'. Therefore, the literal translation of the last name Linsenmair is 'mayor of lentils'.
It is believed that the surname originated from an old German word used to refer to a steward, one who took care of the lord's land and food. As lentils were a staple food in Germanic societies, and the steward was in charge of growing them, it became traditional for the steward's family to take the surname Linsenmair.
The last name Linsenmair is a surname commonly found in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It can also be found across Northern Europe, but is particularly prevalent in regions that were formerly part of the Germanic Empire, such as Silesia, Bohemia, and Pomerania.
The surname Linsenmair is still found today, primarily across Germany and Europe, and can be used to reflect the heritage of families with ties to the Germanic Empire, as well as to represent that steward's post.
Order DNA origin analysisLinsenmair: Where does the name Linsenmair come from?
The last name Linsenmair is most commonly found today in Germany and Austria. According to both the German and Austrian telephone books, the Linsenmair surname is most commonly found in Lower Bavaria in Germany and Upper Austria in Austria. It is also found in a smaller number in the surrounding states of Lower Austria, Burgenland, and Salzburg in Austria, as well as in Bavarian cities such as Munich, Augsburg, and Nuremberg in Germany.
The last name is of Germanic or Bavarian origin. It likely refers to the Latin term for lens, a type of edible plant. The name may have originally been used to refer to someone who grew or collected this type of plant. Alternatively, it may have been used to denote one who lived in the vicinity of a section of land called Lens, or one who hailed from that place.
Internationally, the surname is also found in the United States, Canada, and Australia, with pockets of prevalence in select regions, cities, and towns.
Although not a common name in modern times, it appears to have been well-distributed throughout Germany and Austria during the Middle Ages. Records have been found of Linsenmairs living in the Rhineland, Franconia, and northern and central German provinces since at least the 13th century.
Variations of the surname Linsenmair
The surname Linsenmair is of German and Dutch origin, and it is found in various forms. Variations include Linsenmeier, Linsenmayr, and Linsenmaier—all of which are commonly found in Germany and the Netherlands.
In Austria and southern Germany, the surname is spelled as Linsenmayer, which is also a variation of the surname Linsenmair. Other common variants include Linsenmeyer, which is often found in Switzerland and Austria, and Linsenmaeir, which is the Bavaarian spelling variant.
In the United States, Linsenmair is often Americanized to Legs, Linsen, or Lindsey, while Linsenmaier is often Americanized to Lindsey, Linz, or Lyons.
In the Netherlands, the surname is often Dutchified to Lensesismaair, Lensimair, or Lensmaier.
In addition, some other surnames such as Linsmayer, Linsmair, Lymzmair, and Linsenmayor are all believed to originate from the name Linsenmair. Ultimately, all of these surnames trace their heritage to the same roots and can be considered variations of the same name.
Famous people with the name Linsenmair
- Karl Linsenmair: German athlete who specialized in hurdling; competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.
- Han Yong-un (pen name Manhae; 1895: 1944): Korean Buddhist monk, independence activist, poet, and scholar of Korean and East Asian history.
- Michael Linsenmair: Herpetologist specialized in the study of amphibians and reptiles.
- Christoph Linsenmair: German entomologist who studies zoology and ecology.
- Rudolf Linsenmair: German biologist, nuptial gifts researcher, and professor at the University of Regenburg.
- Ilse Linsenmair: Austrian botanist who specialized in algae research.
- Günter Linsenmair: German entomologist who taught at the Universities of Regensburg and Ulm.
- Robert Linsenmair: German-Austrian zoologist and ecologist.
- Philipp Linsenmair: German herpetologist who specializes in reptiles.
- Joseph Linsenmair: Austrian artist who specializes in fresco paintings.