Surname Klingelmeier - Meaning and Origin
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Klingelmeier: What does the surname Klingelmeier mean?
The last name Klingelmeier is believed to have originated in the German-speaking area of Europe, specifically in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. It is derived from the surname “Klingel”, which refers to a tinkling or ringing sound made by a bell or chime, and “meier”, which is the customary name for a farm servant or steward. Together these two components combine to create the surname Klingelmeier, which translates roughly to mean “bell/chime master”.
This surname is considered to be an occupational name, indicative of someone with a profession or occupation that related to bells or chimes. It may have been used to describe someone who worked as the guardian of a bell tower or someone who handled the production and maintenance of bells and chimes. It could also have referred to someone who had a position as a messenger or signaler who utilized the power of ringing bells and chimes to communicate important updates or orders.
The Klingelmeier surname is found throughout many areas of Germany and Europe in general, with records of the surname dating back as far as the 1300s. This name has come to represent the hardworking and industriousness of generations of people from all over the continent, connected by this shared history and origin.
Order DNA origin analysisKlingelmeier: Where does the name Klingelmeier come from?
The last name Klingelmeier is most commonly found in Germany. The name is derived from German words 'klingen' (meaning 'to ring' or 'to tinkle') and 'meier' (meaning 'farmer' or 'steward'). As its meaning suggests, Klingelmeier likely originated as a type of occupational surname for individuals who were oversees or tenants to prominent nobles.
Today, the name is still common in Germany and other German-speaking countries like Austria and Switzerland. According to the German genealogical publication Meyers Orts- und Verkehrs-Lexikon, the last name Klingelmeier is most popular in some states of the Rhineland region, including Bessen and Thuringia. In addition, the genealogical website MyHeritage reported that people with the last name Klingelmeier can also be found in states such as Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse.
Outside of German-speaking countries, the last name Klingelmeier is relatively uncommon. Nevertheless, MyHeritage has evidence of Klingelmeiers also being found in Canada and the United States, generally in families originating from Germany.
In conclusion, the last name Klingelmeier is most commonly found in Germany and other German-speaking countries, as well as in the US and Canada among German immigrants.
Variations of the surname Klingelmeier
Klingelmeier is a German surname with various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The surname can be spelled Klingelmaier, Klingelmayer, Klinglmaier, Klinglmayer, Klinglemair, Klinglemayr, Klinglemeier, Klinglemeyer, Klingelmeier and Klingelmeyer. It is believed to be derived from the German words "Klingel" or "Klingeln", meaning bell or bell ringing, and "Meier" or "Meyer", meaning a farmer or steward.
The surname is also found in other countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, and the United States, although the spelling may vary. In Austria, for example, the surnames Klinkmayer, Kliengelmaier, Klinkmeider, and Klinkmaier are found. In Switzerland, the variants Klisegmayer, Klinkmayer, Klincmaier, and Klinkmaier are sometimes used. In the Netherlands, the surname is sometimes spelled as Klienmajer, Klinkmajer, Kluingmajer, and Kluinmajer.
Variations of spellings Engelsmaier, Klinglmeier, Klingsmeier, Klingsmaier, Klinglmaier, Klinkmair, Klinkmayer, Klingelmaier, Klingslmaier, Klingelmair, Klingelmayer, and Klinkmeier may also be seen.
An alternative spelling of Klingelmeier is Klingelemaier, which is common in the United States and Canada. Surnames of the same origin may include Klingelmüller, Klingelmüller, Klinglmüller, Klingemüller, Klincmüller, Klingsmüller, Klinglmöller, Klingelmöller, Klengelmüller, and Klinglmöller.
In Scotland, the variants Clingelmair, Clengelmair, or Clengolmair may be used. In Sweden, the variant Klingslöf is used.
Overall, despite the various spellings and surnames of the same origin, Klingelmeier is almost always derived from bell ringing and finding a farmer who is a steward.
Famous people with the name Klingelmeier
- Alfred Klingelmeier: German professional football goalkeeper who most recently played for Astoria Walldorf.
- Cäsar Klingelmeier: German politician, co-founder and leader of the Party for the Animal Rights (PAR), Member of the Bundestag.
- Simon Klingelmeier: German professional lacrosse player, currently playing for the Berlin Blues.
- Matthew Klingelmeier: American physician and biologist, specializes in diagnosis and treatment of rare genetic disorders.
- Walter Klingelmeier: Swiss World Cup alpine ski racer from the 1950s and early 1960s.
- Ernest Klingelmeier: American electrical engineer and pioneer in the field of wireless communication.
- Johann Klingelmeier: German violinist, composer, librettist, music educator and conductor.
- Heinz Klingelmeier: German professional football goalkeeper who most recently played for Hessischer Sport-Verein.
- Thomas Klingelmeier: German astronomer, professor and director at the Institute for Astrophysics at the University of Bonn.
- Jakob Klingelmeier: Austrian violinist and Bach interpreter.