Surname Dollmeyer - Meaning and Origin
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Dollmeyer: What does the surname Dollmeyer mean?
The last name Dollmeyer is believed to have originated in Germany sometime between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The name is derived from the Old German elements “doll” which means “idle” and “meyer” which means “farmer” or “steward”. Thus, Dollmeyer most likely began as a nickname for an idle farmer or steward.
In the centuries following its emergence, the Dollmeyer surname made its way throughout Europe and eventually to the United States. Today, it is most common in Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
In the US, some people with the Dollmeyer surname are descended from German immigrants who arrived during the early 19th century. Others are descended from Dutch settlers who arrived in the US during the same time.
Apart from its likely German origin, the meaning behind the Dollmeyer name is not certain. Some believe the name to be occupational and describe an idle farmer or steward. Others believe it to be a personal nickname given to someone who was idle.
Regardless of its exact origin and meaning, the Dollmeyer name has come to represent a unique, Germanic heritage and a commitment to loyalty, hard work, and perseverance.
Order DNA origin analysisDollmeyer: Where does the name Dollmeyer come from?
The last name Dollmeyer is most common in Central Europe, particularly in countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. The popularity of the Dollmeyer family name originated in the south-western German region of the Rhineland-Palatinate. The Dollmeyer family name is derived from a German surname, which in turn came from a place-name indicating either a "village on a hill" or "a village of the Germans".
The Dollmeyers are an old yet extended family, appearing in records dating back to the 16th century. Although primarily based in Central Europe, the Dollmeyers have spread around the globe, with large clusters located in the United States and Canada. The largest population of Dollmeyers living in the US today is in Pennsylvania, where over 4,000 descendants reside. Other states with significant Dollmeyer populations include New Jersey, Florida, Wisconsin, and New York.
It is also possible to find Dollmeyers in other countries around the world, including Australia, South America, Mexico, and South Africa. However, it is most likely that individuals living with this surname in these other countries are descended from ancestors that emigrated from the main areas of Dollmeyer populations in Central Europe many years ago.
Variations of the surname Dollmeyer
The surname Dollmeyer can be spelled in various ways as Dollmyer, Dollmaier, Dollmeyer, Dallmeier, Dollmeier, and Dollmaier. All these spellings are variants of the same surname which has a German origin. Some of the surnames of the same origin are Mallmeyer, Mallmayer, Dollmayer and Mallmair.
The surname Dollmeyer likely derived from the Middle High German term "malmen" meaning "to grind corn". In the Middle Ages, it was considered an occupation similar to that of a miller. The surname Dollmayer also derived from this meaning, wherein the prefix "Doll" came from the old-high German term "tol" or "toll" which means “customs”. This would suggest that the family derives from a place or a region that was heavily involved in collecting custom fees.
The first recorded mention of Dollmeyer was found in a document entitled “Kleinbekanntmachung” dated back to 1262 in Germany. It was a list of surnames that belonged to citizens of Plauen, Saxony. A name on this list, namely “Dollman, miller” may have been the progenitor of the Dollmeyer surname.
The surname Dollmeyer has been spelled variously throughout the centuries, and many members of this particular family today are still known as Dollmayer or Dollmeier. Even though the spelling of the surname changed, the origin of the name, which is associated with a particular occupation, did not.
Famous people with the name Dollmeyer
- Antonio Dollmeyer: Antonio is a Canadian actor best known for his roles in television shows such as The Amazing Race Canada and Trapped.
- Christian Dollmeyer: Christian is a German football player who currently plays for FC St. Pauli in the 2. Bundesliga.
- Dennis Dollmeyer: Dennis is an American skateboarder and professional surfer who has won numerous contests in California and Hawaii.
- Hunter Dollmeyer: Hunter is an American video game streamer for Twitch, where he has amassed a large audience of followers over the past few years.
- José Dollmeyer: José is a Venezuelan singer and songwriter whose music has been featured in several Latin American countries.
- Martin Dollmeyer: Martin is a German artist who has gained international recognition for his neo-expressionist paintings and sculptures.
- Nathan Dollmeyer: Nathan is an Australian gold medal-winning sprint canoeist who has competed in several international events including the Olympic Games.
- Ralf Dollmeyer: Ralf is a German physicist and professor at the University of Hamburg who is well known for his research on particle physics and quantum mechanics.
- Sascha Dollmeyer: Sascha is a German sports journalist who is a regular contributor to several popular German magazines and newspapers.
- William Dollmeyer: William is an American businessman and philanthropist who has held leadership roles in numerous companies and founded several charity organizations.