Surname Pichelmeier - Meaning and Origin
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Pichelmeier: What does the surname Pichelmeier mean?
The last name Pichelmeier is a German family name, most likely derived from a nickname. "Pichel" is a dialect word for a peak or a point, while "meier" is a common prefix in German names that usually indicates someone is a farmer or a steward. Combined, the name could mean someone who was a top farmer or a foreman.
In the Middle Ages, when family names were beginning to be used for easier identification, it is likely that a man identified by this name was a successful landholder or supervisor of some kind. Pichelmeier families have lived in western Germany, particularly in the state of Saarland, for many centuries.
Pichelmeier may also be a variant of the German name Picklmeier, which means a person or family from Picklheim, a region in Bavaria. This may be why some of the Pichelmeier families can also be found in this area.
Today, many Pichelmeiers still live in Germany and they may still be keeping up with their family's medieval village roots. Interestingly, there are also a few Pichelmeiers found in the United States. It is likely that this name made the journey over at some point in history, even if the details remain unknown.
Overall, the last name Pichelmeier originates from Germany and has likely been around since medieval times. It is thought to refer to a person in charge of a farm or a region, like a foreman, though it is also possible that it may have a different meaning. What is known is that the Pichelmeier name still exists today all over the world, in both its original form and as a variant.
Order DNA origin analysisPichelmeier: Where does the name Pichelmeier come from?
The last name Pichelmeier is most commonly found in Germany today. As with many German surnames, it is derived from a given name. In this case it is a patronymic form, which is a name based on the father's name. It originates from the old German name “Pechelmeir”, which is a combination of the names Pechel and Meir.
In modern German, the name Pichelmeier is spelled “Pichelmeier”. This spelling is also used in other countries such as the Netherlands and Switzerland. It is most commonly found in the northern regions of Germany such as around Hamburg, Kiel, and Grimmolhusen.
Despite its origin in Germany, the name is also somewhat common in other parts of Europe, such as Austria, Switzerland, and France. It is also fairly common in the United States and Canada.
With the growth in international travel, this name has migrated further afield and can be found in other parts of the world. For instance, it is fairly common in Australia and New Zealand. A Google search of the name reveals it also can be found in Argentina, Chile, and India.
The name Pichelmeier refers to a person who is highly respected for their skill and knowledge. It is sometimes used as the name of a business, such as a store or school.
Variations of the surname Pichelmeier
The surname Pichelmeier has many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the variants include Pechelmeier, Pechelmeir, Pechelimer, Pechelmeir, Picklimer, Pichelimeir, Pechellmaier, Pechellmeir, Pechelingmeir, Bichelmeir, Pichelingmaier, Pichelemeier, Pichelinmeir, and Pichelimer.
The origin of the surname can be traced to Germany, as the variations of the name began to proliferate in the 16th century. The surname is thought to originally derive from the term “bachmeier” and “bachelemeier”, referring to an inhabitant of a small town or village. The variations of the name are thought to be the result of numerous dialects from the Germanic language, combined with letters that sounded the same and were used interchangeably.
The spelling of the name has also evolved over the centuries. As literacy increased and the use of the written word became more commonplace, the spelling of the name began to take on a more standardized form. Over the centuries it has changed from Pichellmaier, to Pickelimer, to Pechelmeier and the other variants.
Today, the surname Pichelmeier is still fairly common and is mostly found in Germany and the surrounding area. It is also found in the United States, amongst descendants of immigrants who once bore the name.
Famous people with the name Pichelmeier
- Lauren Pichelmeier-Hauck, fashion designer.
- Patrick Pichelmeier, German footballer.
- Joseph Pichelmeier, American pastor and missionary.
- Berthold Pichelmeier, German organist and composer.
- Fred Pichelmeier, American pilot and World War II Veteran.
- Sir John Pichelmeier, British peer and politician.
- Klaus Pichelmeier, German classical guitarist.
- Heiner Pichelmeier, German actor and theatre instructor.
- Andrea Pichelmeier, German tennis player.
- Carolyn Pichelmeier, American author.
- Ludwig Pichelmeier, German Gothic architect and sculptor.
- Eva Pichelmeier, German politician and businesswoman.