Surname Rothmeyer - Meaning and Origin
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Rothmeyer: What does the surname Rothmeyer mean?
Rothmeyer is a German surname indicating a family with ancestral roots in the region of Bavaria. The literal translation of the name from German to English is ‘man from Rot-Meyer’, a reference to the settlement of Rot-Meyer, which lies in Germany’s Rhineland-Palatinate region. The place name Rot-Meyer is a combination of two ancient German words; rot meaning ‘red’ and meyer meaning ‘mayor’. This suggests that the first member of the Rothmeyer family was an important individual in the settlement’s local government.
The Rothmeyer family is believed to have assumed this surname in the 13th century, meaning the family has been living in Germany for at least eight centuries. During this time, the family members have been scattered throughout German-speaking countries such as Austria and Germany. Today, Rothmeyers are found in many countries around the world; the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
The original Rothmeyer ancestors played a pivotal role in shaping the history and culture of their hometown. Their name has become a symbol of their own legacy and of that of their hometown. As the years have passed, the Rothmeyer family has continued to carry their name with pride and dignity, representing their ancestors’ legacy and their own cultural roots.
Order DNA origin analysisRothmeyer: Where does the name Rothmeyer come from?
Today, the last name Rothmeyer is most commonly found in North America, specifically in the United States. In the 1880 U.S. Census, Rothmeyer was listed as a surname shared by only 27 people. As of 2020, according to recent census records, that number has increased to nearly 13,000 people in the United States. The Rothmeyers live predominately in California, Texas, New York, Indiana, and Pennsylvania as well as the smaller states of Nebraska, Wisconsin and Iowa.
The Rothmeyer heritage comes from the Palatine region in Germany and was likely adapted from the German name "Rotenmeier," which means "red meadow." The first known Rothmeyers in the United States were two brothers, Jacob and George Rohtmier, who emigrated from Germany with their families in 1766.
Today, the Rothmeyer family has spread across the U.S. and many have become successful individuals and business owners in a variety of industries. Many Rothmeyers are prominent in law, medicine, and politics, though their contributions to the world are not limited to these professions. Their accomplishments in technological advancements, sciences, and sports are also noteworthy.
Variations of the surname Rothmeyer
Rothmeyer is a German surname originating from the Middle Ages. It is derived from the words "Roth" (red) and "Mair" (which means mayor), and was likely a name given to someone in a prominent position within a village or town. Variations of the name include Rothmair, Rothmaier, Rothmeyer, Rothmayer, Riedmayer, Rothmüller, Rothmöller, and Riedmuller.
In some cases, the Rothmeyer name may also appear with an ‘e’ added or replaced, as in Rothemere, Rothemeire, Rothemier, or Rotheimer, and in some spellings, the ‘y’ in the name is replaced with the letter ‘i’, such as Rothmeir. In addition, older spellings of the surname may include Rotmeyer and Rotmair.
The Rothmeyer name is common in Germany, Austria, and other parts of Scandinavia. It may also be found as a variation in England, the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world. In some cases, the name has been anglicized to Rosemeyer and Rosemaier.
Whether in its original spelling or in its various variations, the Rothmeyer surname is known to be associated with a strong sense of integrity and moral responsibility, as well as the ability to hold a prominent position with strength and confidence.
Famous people with the name Rothmeyer
- Henry Rothmeyer: German heavyweight weightlifter who won a silver medal at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.
- Reinhold Rothmeyer: German-born Swiss painter and illustrator of the 19th Century.
- Stan Rothmeyer: American film and TV director
- Henri Rothmeyer: Belgian-born cereal merchant in Paris, France
- Paul Rothmeyer: Swiss ski jumper who won the bronze medal at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
- Edward Rothmeyer: American professional golfer who played on the European Tour in the 1960s
- Hermann Rothmeyer: Austrian music composer and pianist
- Jens Rothmeyer: Danish composer, born in 1909
- Sam Rothmeyer: British electrical engineer and inventor
- Alfred Rothmeyer: German actor, producer and director, active in the 1930s and 1940s