Surname Lindmeyer - Meaning and Origin

Lindmeyer: What does the surname Lindmeyer mean?

The last name Lindmeyer is believed to originate from Germany, where there has been a presence of the name since at least the 14th century. It is thought to have been derived from an old German word ‘lind’, meaning gentle or kind, plus ‘meyer’ which is an occupational name referring to someone who works with wood, or is an overseer. Therefore, the literal translation of Lindmeyer is ‘kind wood-worker’ or ‘gentle landlord.’

Lindmeyer families would have either been found as landlords of large estates, or as skilled carpenters who worked to build and repair wooden structures, such as homes and furniture. It has also been proposed that the name could have been adopted by those taking on the protector role of small, independent communities within a larger region.

Many Lindmeyer families still exist today, with the population largest in Lower Saxony, Germany where it remains a common surname. The name has produced several notable people, in various fields, including politics, music and film.

Throughout the centuries, the last name Lindmeyer has come to symbolise protection and kindness. With the original literal translation still holding true centuries later, it can be seen as a reminder of a noble heritage and of times gone by.

Lindmeyer: Where does the name Lindmeyer come from?

The last name Lindmeyer is most commonly found today in Germany, Belgium, and France. In Germany, there are over 1,700 people that bear this last name. It is most concentrated in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where it is ranked 134th in popularity. Additionally, state-level data reveals that Lindmeyer is found in the highest concentration in the rural region of Ostfriesland.

In neighboring Belgium, Lindmeyer is part of the top 800 most popular surnames in the country. Significantly, it is most popular in Brussels, the capital city.

Finally, the final name Lindmeyer is common in France, with more than 800 citizens sharing the last name. Primarily, it is found in Paris and the surrounding Île-de-France region, but this name can also be seen in other urban settings such as Bordeaux and Marseille.

It is clear, then, that the last name of Lindmeyer is well dispersed across Europe, and particularly across the western part of the continent. This can be attributed to migration, as the spelling of this name is standardized across these countries in other languages (lindemeyer in Dutch, Lindmeyer in German).

Variations of the surname Lindmeyer

The surname Lindmeyer has many variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin. These include Lindmeir, Lindmeier, Lintmeier, Lindmaier, Lindmeier, Lintmaier, Lindmeir, Lintmeir, Lindmayr, Lindmair, and Lindmeyer.

In Britain, Lindmeir is slightly more common, while in Germany, Lindmeir and Lintmeier are seen more often.

The surname Lindmeyer first appeared in records during the Middle Ages, when it was used to denote the region of Lindmari, which is today in Bavaria, Germany. The name was most likely derived from the Old German word for “pediment” or “shield”.

The variant Lindmaier, a variation of Lindmair, is still common in the current population of Bavaria. This surname also spread to other countries such as the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.

In the US, Lindmeyer became established in the early 20th century as a German-American name. It is mostly found in the states of Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Iowa.

In Australia, Lindmayer is the second most common spelling, and is found mainly along the eastern coast.

The condition of the Lindmeyer name later changed with the immigration of British and Irish settlers. Today, their name is pronounced and spelled differently, with alternating variations such as Lindmeir, Lindmeier, Lintmeier, Lindmaier, Lindmeier, Lintmaier, Lindmeir, and Lintmeir.

Although the details of the origin of the Lindmeyer surname are disputed, it is known that the roots of the name can be traced back to a small region in Germany.

Famous people with the name Lindmeyer

• Alexander Lindmeyer: professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Augsburger Panther of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).
• Carl Lindmeyer: former professional football offensive lineman who played for the Chicago Cardinals in the National Football League (NFL).
• Paul Linmeyer: an American former professional basketball player who played three games in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1987.
• Clemens Lindmeyer: German former tennis player who won numerous singles and doubles titles during his career.
• Fritz Lindmeyer: Writer of science fiction stories.
• Hans Lindmeyer: German alpine skier who competed in the 1948 Winter Olympics.
• Jim Lindmeyer: former professional American football offensive guard for the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL.
• Roland Lindmeyer: German former luger who competed in the men's doubles event at the 1964 Winter Olympics.
• Timo Lindmeyer: German footballer who currently plays for Schalke 04 II in the Regionalliga West.
• Walter Lindmeyer: German Nazi politician and public administrator who served as the President of the National Socialist German Workers' Party.

Other surnames

Lindmeyr