Surname Priem - Meaning and Origin
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Priem: What does the surname Priem mean?
The last name Priem has a varied assortment of meanings, depending on what region and language you look at. In Dutch, Priem means "plume, feather," while in German, the name carries the meaning "sample, specimen." In Yiddish,Priem translates to "shoemaker," while in Jewish, the name signifies "gift or present" in many versions. Additionally, in English, Priem can be interpreted as "prime" or "prime number," as well as "eleven o'clock."
Many stories remain of how the last name Priem came to be. One story claims the name derived from a crest that featured a feather, today seen adorning the coat of arms belonging to some members of the Priem name. Other tales claim the origins are Germanic, and considered Norse in nature.
Throughout the centuries, the name remains fairly rare and distinct, with a variety of spellings found. Variations include Prem, Prym, Pryme, Pream, and Preman. All of these are still recognized versions of the Priem name.
No matter how you look at it, the last name Priem is a unique and special monicker, steeped in a rich heritage of varied meaning and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisPriem: Where does the name Priem come from?
The last name Priem is most commonly found in Germany and the Netherlands today. According to records, it is estimated that there are currently 2,000-3,000 people with the last name Priem living in those countries.
In Germany, the family name Priem is most frequent in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where it is ranked 219th in popularity. Other states where it is commonly found include Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Baden-Württemberg, and Bavaria.
In the Netherlands, the family name Priem is most popularly found in the providence of North Holland, where it is ranked as the 536th most common surname. Other regions in which the name is frequently found include South Holland and Zeeland.
The Priem name is also common in other countries, such as France, Belgium, the United States, and Canada. In the United States, the last name is most prevalent in the Midwestern states of Wisconsin and Michigan; however, there are large numbers of Priems living in many other states including New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota, and Missouri.
In Canada, the Priem family can be found mostly in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.
It is believed to have originated in the 11th or 12th century in Flanders (western Belgium). The name is derived from the given names Prewel or Pryem, which are Germanic in origin. It is thought to have been used as a personal name to indicate someone who was brave, bold, or daring.
Variations of the surname Priem
The surname Priem is of German origin. Although it is not a common surname, it does exist in various versions today. It can be found as 'Priem', 'Pröm', 'Prym', 'Pryms', and 'Pryma'.
The versions 'Pröm' and 'Prym' are often found on German and North American records, while 'Pryma' is a variant common among Slavic populations, specifically those with Polish and Ukrainian heritage.
The diminutive form of the surname – ‘Priems’ – can also be found in both Germany and North America. It is thought to have originated as a way to differentiate families of the same name, for example, the elder and younger Christoph Priems.
Additionally, the surname Pryms or Prymsky can be found particularly in the U.S. and Canada. It is thought to have either come about as a result of immigration or as a form of anglicization of 'Priem/Pröm'.
Finally, the surname Priem or Prieml is common in Austria, Switzerland and South Tyrol, indicating immigrants from German-speaking countries.
Famous people with the name Priem
- Johann Priem (1898-1971), German-born American physicist
- Petrus Johannes Priem (1795-1883), Dutch painter
- Sylvia Priem (1940-2016), Dutch sculptor and visual artist
- Ron Priem (b. 1942), American judge, specialising in family law
- Tineke Priem (b. 1942), Dutch swimmer
- Reinhard Priem (1937-2000), German plastic surgeon
- Nol Priem (1941-2012), Dutch journalist and writer
- Jakob Priem (1883-1959), Dutch physicist
- Luc Priem (b. 1978), Belgian professional football player
- Anton Priem (1890-1967), Dutch Catholic spiritual leader