Surname Probstmayr - Meaning and Origin
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Probstmayr: What does the surname Probstmayr mean?
The last name Probstmayr is an occupational surname derived from Middle High German and is a combination of two words. The first, "Probst," is derived from the High German term “prove” and means "foreman," "supervisor," or "steward" and was used to designate someone who held a certain office or function. The second word, "mayr,"is derived from the Middle High German term "meyer" and originally denoted one who was a freeman of a certain class, typically one who owned and operated a small farm.
In its most literal sense Probstmayr means "steward of the meadows," and traditionally denoted residents of a certain region or area who were responsible for the stewardship of communal goods. Over time, the surname has been used in a more generalized sense to describe someone who was a careful manager of resources, typically of high rank or an important position.
In modern times, the name Probstmayr continues to be occasionally used as a surname, but is much rarer than it was historically. It has been found mainly in Germany, Austria, and to a lesser extent in Switzerland.
Order DNA origin analysisProbstmayr: Where does the name Probstmayr come from?
The last name Probstmayr is largely concentrated in Germany with around 1,000 reported bearers of the name. While it is not a particularly common name compared to others, there are also bearers of the name in countries like Austria, Croatia, Hungary, and Czech Republic. The highest concentration of the name is in Linz and Oberösterreich, Austria.
The meaning of the name Probstmayr is derived from the German words Probst and Maier which roughly translates to ‘Sovereign’ and ‘Meadow-maker’. Other versions of the name include Prebstermeyer, Prostmeyer, Prostmeyer, Probestmayr, Prebstmeir, and Probstmeyer.
Given the name’s origin, it is believed that the earliest Probstmayr families lived in farms and meadows in the region stretching from Austria, through Germany and down to Croatia.
Today, the descendants of the original Probstmayr families are dispersed all over the world with notable pockets settled in the United States, including in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Los Angeles, California; and Akron, Ohio. Some family members have continued living in the ancestral homelands of the first Probstmayr families and continue to make contributions to the local communities in which they live.
Variations of the surname Probstmayr
Probstmayr is a German surname with its origin in Bavaria. It is derived from the Middle High German word “probst” meaning "abbot," thus literally meaning “abbot’s meadow.” Common spellings and variants of the surname include Probstmeyer, Probstmaier, Probstmayer, Probstmeier, Probstmaire, Probstmaeir, Prostmeyer, Prostmaier, Prostmayer, Prostmeier, Prostmaire, and Prostmaeir.
Probstmayr is also an anglicised version of the German surnames Preppmeier and Premmayr. Preppmeier is derived from the Middle High German word “prebst” meaning "village priest," which can be translated to “priest’s meadow," similar to the meaning of Probstmayr. Premmayr is also derived from the Middle High German word “prem” meaning “priest” but it also carries the meaning of “baron” or “nobleman.”
The surname may have also developed from an individual’s profession, such as a priest or an abbot, when referring to their residence. Other variants of the name include Pröbstl, Pröbster, Pribstl, and Pribster, all deriving from the same Middle High German word as Probstmayr.
The surnames Probstmayr, Preppmeier, and Premmayr are all variations of a common regional and ethnic origin, although spelling of the names may vary depending on region and spelling preference.
Famous people with the name Probstmayr
- Darwin Probstmayr, an American professional baseball outfielder in the Detroit Tigers organization.
- Herfried Probstmayr, an Austrian physician and botanist.
- Ferdinand Probstmayr, an Austrian ornithologist, natural historian, and professor of zoology.
- Josef Probstmayr, an Austrian classicist, archaeologist, and professor of classical philology.
- Wilhelm Probstmayr, an Austrian philosopher and theologian.
- Johann Baptist Probstmayr, an Austrian engraver, artist, and cabinetmaker.
- Johann Adam Probstmayr, an Austrian musician and composer.
- Ernst Probstmayr, an Austrian psychoanalyst and entrepreneur.
- Eduard Probstmayr, an Austrian painter and graphic artist.
- Ernst Probstmayr, an Austrian geologist and professor of mining and engineering in Vienna.