Surname Pfitzmayr - Meaning and Origin

Pfitzmayr: What does the surname Pfitzmayr mean?

The last name Pfitzmayr is a German surname that originated in Bavaria, located in the south of the country. It is derived from the German word 'pfitzen', which means 'to pay'. The name was likely given to someone who held a position of financial responsibility in the medieval era.

Pfitzmayr is the 15,503rd most common last name in the world, with approximately 1,000 people bearing this name in Europe as of 2020. It is particularly prevalent in southern Germany, with individuals of this surname mainly living in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg.

The surname Pfitzmayr can also be found in Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and the United States. It is likely that any Pfitzmayrs found outside of Germany were immigrants who left the country in search of a better life.

Today, people with the last name Pfitzmayr are proud to carry on the the family heritage. Although many of them may have removed themselves from the financial focus of their ancestors, the Pfitzmayr name is still associated with the idea of financial responsibility and integrity.

Pfitzmayr: Where does the name Pfitzmayr come from?

The last name Pfitzmayr is most common in countries of German origin like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in countries with a large German diaspora, such as the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia, as well as in countries of former German colonies, such as Brazil, Mexico, and Namibia.

The original spelling of Pfitzmayr is most likely Pfitzmaier, which literally translates to be "digger of the ear." This is a reference to the original occupation of individuals with this name who worked as plowmen or farmers and would use their hands to dig the soil when plowing.

In the US, the last name Pfitzmayr is most predominant in Ohio, where it ranks 4,466th since the most popular surnames over the decade beginning in 1990. However, it is still relatively uncommon in the US, ranking in the top 5% of all last names.

It is likely that the last name originated in an area within the Central German mountain range, especially in the area of Erzgebirge, as this area was known for being an early medieval gold mining region and has had a significant population of German immigrants.

The Pfitzmayr family has spread far beyond the original area and can now be found in many countries all over the world. Today, the name has been adopted by people with varying ancestries and backgrounds, all with one thing in common—their family name.

Variations of the surname Pfitzmayr

The surname Pfitzmayr is of German origin and is derived from the toponym meaning 'from (or of) Pfitzmayer'. Variations of the name include Pfitzmeier, Pittmeier, Fitmeier, Pittmayr, Fittmeier, and Pittmeir. These spellings can further vary depending on the region and dialect of the language.

Names ending in -er are predominately found in the southern German speaking regions of Bavaria and Austria, and names ending in -mayer in northern and western Germany. In areas such as Hungary and Poland, the spelling of Pfitzmayer or Pfitzmaier is found.

In the United States, the spelling is most prevalent as Fitts, Pfitz and Fitt. Spellings in Britain and Ireland also vary, with surname spellings such as Pitts, Fitts, Fittz, Fittes, Fitts and mayer all being used.

The meaning of the name originates from the Old Germanic for 'dweller at the Pfitz, which in turn was drived from the Olde High German pre-7th century word 'pfiza' meaning 'hedge', referring to someone who lived near a hedge of some kind.

Variant surnames usually indicated an occupation held by the original bearers. For the surname Pfitzmayr, the original bearer may have been a 'dweller at the hedge'. This would indicate that the original bearer held a position such as that of a gardener, copied for generations even after that particular generation had stopped practicing that profession.

Famous people with the name Pfitzmayr

• Wolfgang Pfitzmayr: Austrian Alpine ski racer. He was a member of the nationally successful Austrian alpine ski team, and competed on the world-level professional alpine ski tour during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
• Susi Pfitzmayr: Austrian alpine ski racer. She started her career in 1978, competing in the World Cup. With her strong performances, she was able to win six cup victories during her career.
• Eberhard Pfitzmayr: German entomologist. He was a professor at the Entomology Institute of the University of Uppsala in Sweden from 1920 till his retirement in 1938.
• Richard Pfitzmayr: German painter and poet. He is known for his landscapes and seascapes, which often depict the atmosphere of the German coastline.
• Ute Pfitzmayr: German Enduro motorcyclist. She is an eight-time German Enduro champion, and often competes in international events.
• Wilhelm Pfitzmayr: German librarian and diplomat. He was involved in the formative years of the modern German library, and spent much of his career in the diplomatic service.
• Franz Pfitzmayr: Austrian engineering professor. He is remembered for the books that he wrote on thermodynamics and the development of machinery, as well as his texts on energy conservation.
• Chris Pfitzmayr: Professional hockey player. He played numerous games in the US Hockey League before moving into the National Hockey League in 1987.
• Arno Pfitzmayr: Austrian sculptor and graphic artist. He is best known for his works that celebrate the beauty and power of stone and metal sculptures.

Other surnames

PfitzmaierPfitzmannPfitzmayer