Surname Pichelmayer - Meaning and Origin

Pichelmayer: What does the surname Pichelmayer mean?

The last name Pichelmayer is a German surname derived from the pre-medieval term pichel, which referred to a vessel or pitcher used to carry liquids. This term could also be related to the German word picheln, which means "to dig". Occupational surnames, such as Pichelmayer, were often derived from the name of a person's job or trade. This particular surname likely referred to someone whose occupation was one related to the production or handling of pitchers, such as a potter or someone employed in the manufacture of pitchers.

The Pichelmayer surname can also be found in a variety of alternate spellings, such as Pichelmeier, Pichlemeier, Pichelmaier, and Picklemeier. During the Middle Ages, when most documents were written in Latin, the spelling of surnames was rarely standardized, so variations of the name could have developed over time, depending on the region where it was used.

Historically, the Pichelmayer surname was mostly found in the southern regions of Germany, such as Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. It is still somewhat common today, but it is believed that the Pichelmayer family in Germany has become much smaller in recent years. The surname can also be found in other parts of the world, and has likely been adopted by those with German ancestry in other countries.

Pichelmayer: Where does the name Pichelmayer come from?

The last name Pichelmayer is largely concentrated in Germany and Austria today. According to the World Names Public Profiler, it is the 361st most common last name in Germany, with 18,772 people in the country sharing the name. In Austria, it ranks as the 1,468th most common surname, with 1,204 individuals bearing the name. In the United States, Pichelmayer is the 46,873rd most common last name, with 495 occurrences of the surname throughout the country. Internationally, Pichelmayer is estimated to be the 38,172nd most common surname, with approximately 21,471 individuals bearing the name.

The prevalence and origin of the name Pichelmayer vary by country. In Germany, the name is historically linked with Bavaria, a region also known as "Pichelsland" and which encompasses much of the modern state of Bavaria. As such, the Pichelmayer surname is often associated with Bavarian culture and may have originated as an occupational surname derived from Jewish tradespeople. In Austria, the occurrence is spread across the country but still heavily concentrated in the states of Upper Austria and Lower Austria.

Though it is not certain when the Pichelmayer surname first began to be used, it appears to be an old surname with references to it stemming from as early as the 15th century. It is believed that the name spread throughout Bavaria before making its way to the rest of Europe. Today, the name is found across the globe from the United States to Japan, though the majority of people bearing the surname continue to be in Germany and Austria.

Variations of the surname Pichelmayer

Pichelmayer is an uncommon surname that is mostly found in Europe. The variants, spellings, and surnames of origin include: Pichelmeyer, Pechlmeyer, Pichelmayr, Pichlmeier, Pechlmeier, Pichlmeyr, Piklmeiyr, Piklmeyr, Pikmeyr, Pikmeyer, Piclmeyr, and Piclmeyer.

In German, Pichelmayer is written as 'Pichlmeyer' or sometimes 'Pechlmeyer'. There is also the alternative spelling 'Pichelmayr', which is a combination of two German words, 'Pichl' and 'Meier', originally used to denote a man who was a tenant farmer.

The origin of the surname Pichelmayer can be traced back to German towns including Baden, Bavaria, and Prussia. It is believed to have originated during the Middle Ages when it was used by German farmers as an occupational surname to denote someone who was responsible for harvesting crops or managing a farm.

In some cases, Pichelmayer may also appear in its diminutive form, 'Pichl' or 'Pechl', with 'meyr' or 'meier' meaning 'lord' or 'master'. Alternatively, it may be derived from Middle High German terms for 'miller' or 'maltster', in which case 'pikhel' or 'pichl' would refer to a type of mill or malting apparatus.

Pichelmayer is a relatively uncommon surname, but it can still be found in many different countries and variations around the world. It is believed to have descended from the original German roots, and its spelling, variants, and other surnames of the same origin reflect this.

Famous people with the name Pichelmayer

• Pamela Pichelmeyer: German journalist
• Thomas Piethemeyer: composer and music producer
• Paul Pichelmeyer: theoretical physicist and professor at the University of Toronto
• Sebastian Pichelmeyer: pianist and conductor
• Heinz Pichelmeyer: former chairman of the German automotive parts manufacturer Continental AG
• Fredrick Pichelmeyer: television producer
• Karl Pichelmeyer: German film director and screenwriter
• Robert Pichelmeyer: editor and author
• Trudi Pichelmeyer: film producer and director
• Ed Pichelmeyer: baseball player
• Wolfgang L. Pichelmeyer: former professor of marketing and economics at the University of Cologne
• Michael Pichelmeyer: German former operatic bass
• Gustav Pichelmeyer: synchronization director

Other surnames

PichelmaierPichelmayr