Surname Pajer - Meaning and Origin
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Pajer: What does the surname Pajer mean?
The last name Pajer is a German and Polish surname. It is derived from a nickname for an individual who made baskets. The root of the surname is the Middle High German word “palle”, which translates basically to “basket”. This surname is thought to be of occupational origin, as many surnames of this time period reflected the occupation of an individual.
The surname is most common in the areas of Upper Austria and Germany, where the surname has been seen since the 14th century. It was likely taken to the region by immigrants from central Europe. The name is most prevalent in Germany today, where it is usually seen spelled as Pfajer.
The surname then spread to Poland during the 16th century and began to take on its own distinct spelling, as Pajer. From this region, the surname began to spread to North and South America in the 19th and 20th centuries, usually by immigrants from the Polish region of Austria-Hungary.
The surname can usually be found in New York and Pennsylvania in the northeastern US, as well as California, Florida, and Texas. While the last name has typically stayed in the German and Polish language areas, it’s meaning and origin are clear and well known. The last name Pajer is still used today by many families around the world, though it is near extinction.
Order DNA origin analysisPajer: Where does the name Pajer come from?
The last name Pajer appears to be concentrated in the United States and Europe. In the United States, most Pajer households are located in the western and northeast regions of the country, specifically California, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In Europe, the surname is most common in Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, and Poland. In each of these countries, Pajer households are clustered in the major metropolitan areas.
The Pajer last name has origins in Central and Eastern Europe, and likely began being used between the mid-17th and mid-18th centuries. All variants of the Pajer surname can be traced back to German, Czech, and Polish roots and was originally settled in regions along the Eastern European borders. It is believed that the surname originated as a patronymic, derived from the given name of a father.
Today, it is estimated that there are 10,000 people with the Pajer surname worldwide, with the greatest concentration in the United States, followed by Austria and Switzerland. The vast majority of individuals carrying the last name are of European descent, with only a small percentage being of other ethnic origins.
For those of European ancestry, tracing their Pajer lineage can offer insight into their ancestry and a family’s history. Since the surname is not commonly used today, tracing one’s roots with the Pajer last name can help to uncover forgotten relatives from long ago.
Variations of the surname Pajer
The surname Pajer has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variations are Pajar, Payar, Wezerek, and Veprek. The English spelling for this surname is Pager. The Polish spelling is Pawer.
Pajer is a patronymic surname derived from the personal name Paj, which itself is a variation of the older name Pavel. The name Theodore is also actually the same name Pavel derived from the Greek meaning "gift of God." Thus, individuals with the surname Pajer may also be related to people who use the surname Theodore.
The spellings Pager and Pawer give this surname a Germanic origin, and under these spellings the surname is found most frequently in Silesia and Bohemia. The surname Pager can also be found in parts of Central Europe, including Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, and the Czech Republic.
The surname Veprek is found most frequently in Austria and Hungary, and its meaning is derived from the German Pfarrer, which means "minister" in English. The English spelling Pajar is most frequent in the United States, originating from a combination of the Spanish word for "farmer" (Pajero) and the Italian word for "wine" (Vino). Similarly, the surname Payar is of Spanish origin and means "farmer." The Hungarian spelling Wezerek also derives from the German Pfarrer.
In conclusion, Pajer is a surname that has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It originates from the personal name Pavel or Paj, and has patronymic variations spanning many regions and languages throughout Europe.
Famous people with the name Pajer
- Theodor Pajer: Austrian diplomat, recipient of the Legion of Honour.
- Peter Pajer: Austrian ice hockey player, currently General Manager of HC Orli Znojmo.
- Helmut Pajer: Austrian composer, co-founder of the Ferindinand Raimund Society.
- Peter Pajer: German-American actor, known for portraying roles in the films Tropic Thunder, Sucker Punch, and The Last Witch Hunter.
- Julia Pajer: Austrian actress, known for roles in the TV series Schneider vs. Bax and Die Dreigroschen Oper.
- John Pajer: American football player, formerly of the University of Toledo.
- William Pajer: American plastic surgeon and co-founder of the Pajer Plastic Surgery Institute.
- Vic Pajer: American screenwriter and producer, known for works such as Freaky Friday and What Women Want.
- Mike Pajer: American professional boxer.
- Zlata Pajer: Slovenian costume designer.