Surname Burgemeister - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Burgemeister: What does the surname Burgemeister mean?
The last name Burgemeister is a Germanic surname of the nobility. It is derived from the German word Burg meaning ‘high castle’ and Meister, which was used to signify ‘master’ or ‘head’ of the castle. It is believed that the name was originally used to refer to those who were the mayors of a district or a town.
In the Middle Ages, those with the surname Burgemeister were typically appointed by the ruling monarch to a post of local government. They were expected to maintain law and order in their districts, ensure taxes were collected appropriately, and represent their district’s interests to their respective lords.
The surname Burgemeister became famous when a certain family from the region of Carinthia, Austria, received a letter from the ruler of Austria, the Habsburg Monarchy, which pointed to their “special services” in aiding in the successful capture of the Moravian city of Olomouc. The letter confirmed that the Burgemeister family was still ruling the district and gave them the hereditary right to use the name Burgemeister as their family name.
Today, the surname Burgemeister is still in use. It is common throughout Europe and the United States. While the Burgemeister’s of Carinthia have scattered over the centuries, their legacy lives on in the surname they have bequeathed to the world.
Order DNA origin analysisBurgemeister: Where does the name Burgemeister come from?
The last name Burgemeister is most commonly found in Europe, especially in German speaking countries like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Burgemeister is a German surname, derived from the German language with parts Burg (meaning “fortress” or “citadel”) and Meister (meaning “master”). The name was often given to individuals who worked in a position of authority or Tennant Farmer in castle or city. Burgemeister is also the title for a mayor in German speaking territories.
In recent decades, many people with the Burgemeister surname have emigrated to North America and Australia, often searching for new opportunities and a better quality of life. Burgemeister is still a fairly common surname on these continents, specifically in the United States, Canada, and Australia, and it is estimated that there are over 6,000 people with the last name in the United States.
In America, the name has adapted and evolved over time into many other variations, such as Bürgermeister, Burgemeister, Bergermaser, Bergermeister, Bergemeister, Burgermeister, Bürgemeister, and Burgermaster. The use of the capital ‘B’ is also very common in the US.
The surname Burgemeister is still fairly common in its original countries in Europe, and much less common in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with most Burgemeisters still living in Europe.
Variations of the surname Burgemeister
Burgemeister is an occupational surname, coming from the German word 'Burgermeister,' which translates to 'Mayor.' It is incredibly common, and has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some are variations of the original spelling, such as 'Bourgmiester' and 'Burgemeister,' while others are anglicized versions of the original, such as 'Burgmaster' and 'Burgmiester.' Bürgermeister and Bürgermeisterin are the German equivalents, while in Dutch it would be 'Burgermeester.' Common surnames of the same origin include 'Bergeson,' 'Beck,' 'Biggs,' 'Bergsman,' 'Burg,' 'Burdge,' 'Burdge,' 'Bergman,' 'Berge,' 'Bergey,' and 'Burgsma.'
Many variants and related surnames have arisen over the years, as the name has spread throughout Europe, leading to Anglo-Saxon variants like 'Burgumaster' and 'Birgmister,' Russian variants such as 'Burzhmister,' and even Scandinavian versions like 'Borjismester.' All of these spellings and surnames are derived from the same root word, 'Burgermeister,' and share the same basic meaning: a mayor or town mayor. The surname Burgemeister is a proud connection to a long, rich history of German mayors and leaders, and a testament to the unique vitality of the German language throughout the world.
Famous people with the name Burgemeister
- William Burgemeister, 19th century American politician
- Eugenie Burgemeister, German Olympic swimmer
- Johann Carl Ernst Burgemeister, German banker
- Johann Gottlieb Burgemeister, German composer
- Frank Burgemeister, German physician
- Johann Friedrich Burgemeister, German minister
- Arthur Burgemeister, German artist
- Edgar Burgemeister, German geneticist
- Victor Burgemeister, German naturalist
- F.R. Burgemeister, German physician
- Johann Wilhelm Burgemeister, German botanist
- Fritz Burgemeister, German cyclist
- Carl Burgemeister, German astronomer
- Johann Christoph Burgemeister, German poet
- Geza Burgemeister, Hungarian Olympic wrestler
- Anne Burgemeister, German politician