Surname Rotermel - Meaning and Origin
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Rotermel: What does the surname Rotermel mean?
The last name Rotermel is an occupational name derived from the Middle High German term 'Rotermeler', meaning a person who was in charge of a mill. The term likely goes back even further in history. It is possible that the first known bearers of the Rotermel name belonged to a family or guild of millers.
The miller was an essential figure in medieval European life, as grains needed to be milled into flour in order to make bread. Miller’s Guilds were often organized and regulated by local feudal lords and church hierarchy. The Rotermel surname was likely adopted by those who held this occupation.
The medieval miller’s job was to grind grains into flour using the power of a river or stream. This process was labor intensive and the miller would usually work from dawn to dusk. The mill stone was usually powered by the fast-moving water of a river or stream.
The Rotermel name is associated with a hard-working, dependable and trustworthy reputation, the very qualities required of millers. This occupational name can still be found in Germany, and other countries, where it was taken by immigrants and carried across state and national borders. It is also still held by many people today who are descendants of the original millers who bore the Rotermel name long ago.
Order DNA origin analysisRotermel: Where does the name Rotermel come from?
The last name Rotermel is a rare surname found mainly in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Today, the last name Rotermel is most commonly associated with the small town of Rotermel, which is located in Upper Austria near the historic city of Salzburg. This town is known as the ancestral home of the Rotermel family.
While the last name Rotermel is still common in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, its presence is also found in the United States as well. Specifically, many members of the Rotermel family have immigrated to America in recent years, primarily for economic reasons. This has resulted in a small but growing Rotermel presence across the United States, from coast to coast.
Today, the Rotermel family continues to thrive in both its original home of Austria and in its new American communities. While the Rotermel surname may not be a household name, it is the legacy of a proud and hard-working family that continues to this day.
Variations of the surname Rotermel
The surname Rotermel can be spelt in several different ways, including Rotermund, Rottermel, Rotterman, Rottrimel, Rutterman, Rotramel, and Ruttermel. It has German and Jewish origins, although the surname is derived from the Middle High German word ‘Rotmunt’, which roughly translates to ‘red protector’, in both cases.
It is thought that Rotermel versions found in Germany originated from Rotmunt, whilst the Jewish variants may have been adapted from the original Slavic word ‘Strmila’. Other related surnames include Rothman, Rothenberg, Ruttenberg, Rothmel and Rotemann.
In some cases, the spelling of the surname can vary even within the same family. An example of this is the family of Yechezkel and Haya Rutterman, who each had a daughter with the surname spelled as either Rutterman or Rotermel. Other spellings sometimes used for this surname include Rothman, Rothmelt, Rottemant and Roetemelt.
The surname is found most often in Yiddish-speaking Jewish communities, however it is also present in other countries, such as Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and the United States. It is also common amongst families of German descent, particularly those who emigrated from Germany to other countries in recent centuries, such as Argentina and Brazil.
Famous people with the name Rotermel
- Will Rotermel: former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1996 to 2000.
- John Rotermel: professional golfer who competed on the PGA Tour from 1970 to 1991 and won one event.
- Robert Rotermel: professional golfer who competed on the PGA Tour from 1969 to 1986 and won two events.
- Charles Rotermel: professional American football player. He played for the Baltimore Colts in 1926.
- Marvin Rotermel: professional American football player who played for the Chicago Bears from 1934 to 1942.
- Ted Rotermel: professional football player who played for the Cleveland Rams from 1942 to 1945.
- Greg Rotermel: professional American football player who played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1975 to 1979.
- Carl Rotermel: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and customer service specialist.
- Walker Rotermel: professional football player who played for the New York Titans in 1960.
- Perry Rotermel: professional baseball player who played in the Minor Leagues for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1950.