Surname Rockermair - Meaning and Origin
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Rockermair: What does the surname Rockermair mean?
The surname Rockermair (or Röckermair) is a German and Austrian name of an aristocratic origin. It is derived from the German words Röck and Mair, meaning "road" and "famous", respectively. The combination of these two words connotes power, distinction, and nobility. Furthermore, the surname has connections to the Germanic god Thor.
The earliest known use of the name was in 1646, when the family line first appeared in records from the area around Munich. It is mostly related to the Bavarian region of Germany and Austria and was traditionally associated with the nobility of the region.
The origin of the surname Rockermair is thought to have originated from a castle situated on the road to Loibl Pass. This castle was home to the famous Erstling and Rockermair families that trace their roots to the fatality of the duke of Bavaria in 1345. This is probably why the name is connected to Thor, the Germanic god of thunder and lightning.
Today, Rockermair is a very rare surname, typically found in parts of Germany, Austria, and the greater Alpine region. It is a testament to the power and nobility of its original line of origin. The family line is still associated with great power and distinction and is a source of pride for the descendants of this remarkable surname.
Order DNA origin analysisRockermair: Where does the name Rockermair come from?
The surname Rockermair is most commonly found in Germany today. The name is derived from the Middle High German term "rockermere," which translates to “rockhaft moor”. This may suggest an ancestral origin in an area with rocky moor land.
The surname is most commonly associated with the region of Bavaria, where over 800 individuals were recorded using this surname during a 2019 population survey. The Bavarian cities of Nuremberg, Munich, and Wurzburg all have particularly high numbers of people with this surname.
The Rockermair surname is not exclusive to Germany, however. It is also quite common in neighboring Austria, with citizens primarily concentrated in Tyrol and Upper Austria. Similarly, it can also be found in Switzerland and parts of Italy.
Outside of Europe, the Rockermair surname can be found in the United States, Australia, Canada, and a few other countries around the world. In the US, the surname is primarily concentrated on the East Coast, with a major population in the New York City metropolitan area.
Due to its strong roots in Bavaria, the Rockermair surname is likely to remain quite common in Germany for the foreseeable future. With its spread to other parts of the world, however, it has become increasingly globalized.
Variations of the surname Rockermair
The surname Rockermair has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most commonly seen spelling is Rockermair, but it can also be spelled as Rockermaier, Rockemaar, Rockman, Roekermaer, Roukemaer and Rockmeer.
The origin of the surname Rockermair is German and it derives from the Middle High German "rocke" and the Bavarian "meir", which both mean "mayor". Surnames of this origin are often associated with someone married to the mayor's daughter.
Patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's given name, are also associated with the Rockermair surname. Examples of these are Rockermairl, Rockermayer and Röckermeir.
The surname may also have derived from the Latin word "ruca", which means "rock". In this case, "Rockermair" means "mayor of the rocks". Variants of this origin include Ruckermaier, Rorkemer and Rerkemaer.
It is likely that any of the above variants indicate a shared origin, though genetic testing may be needed to confirm the probability of a familial connection.
Famous people with the name Rockermair
- Jakob Rockermair: Austrian-born American journalist and professor of journalism at Hofstra University.
- Waltraud Rockermair: Austrian opera singer and actor.
- Nelly und Walter Rockermair: Austrian painter and sculptor.
- Heinrich Rockermair: Austrian sculptor and painter.
- Fabian Rockermair: Austrian-born American composer, programmer, and music producer.
- Karl Rockermair: Austrian composer, organist, choirmaster and music educator.
- Manuel Rockermair: Austrian musician and composer.
- Franz Rockermair: Austrian ice hockey player and coach.
- Dietmar Rockermair: Austrian Olympic bobsledder.
- Eleonore Rockermair: Austrian-born American information systems researcher and professor.