Surname Lohmayer - Meaning and Origin

Lohmayer: What does the surname Lohmayer mean?

The last name Lohmayer is an occupational surname. Occupational surnames often originated when a family served in a particular profession such as farming, metal working or milling. Lohmayer may be derived from the Middle High German noun "Loh" meaning "mill" and the suffix -mayer, which means a manager or supervisor of the mill. This suggests that the Lohmayer family was working at a mill many centuries ago.

The surname may have originated in either Switzerland or southern Germany. In the language of those regions, it would have been spelled Lohmährer. Many members of this family took the surname to other parts of Europe, anglicizing it to Lohmayer.

The Lohmayer family is likely quite old, as records indicate the surname was being used in the early 17th century. It then spread to Ireland and the United States in the 19th century, especially to the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

Today, the Lohmayer family can be found across the globe, a testament to their longevity and hard work. From farmers of the past to modern professionals, it is clear that this family has a rich history that is worth honoring.

Lohmayer: Where does the name Lohmayer come from?

The last name Lohmayer is primarily found in Germany. It is a German-language surname, derived from the stem of the Middle High German "loh", meaning hill. Records of the surname date back to 1553, when Lohmayer was identified as the family name of the knights of Bamburg, then in Bavaria. The Lohmayer surname is still quite common in Germany today, including across its southern states and cities such as Munich, Berlin, and the Rheinland.

Though the Lohmayer name is more commonly found in Germany today, it is certainly not limited to that region. Family members have emigrated to other countries, particularly the US, where the name can be found in records dating to the mid-1800s. The name is also common in the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, and Canada. Certain surname variants, such as Lohmeyer and Lohmayr, can also be found in each of these countries.

In Germany, the surname is more commonly found in Catholic regions such as the Rhineland-Palatinate and the Saarland. Birth records show that the Lohmayer surname was predominantly found in the Rhineland-Palatinate during the mid-1800s. The distribution of the Lohmayer name in Germany today appears to be most concentrated in Bavaria, with an even spread across the remaining states. The family name has likely been spread throughout Germany and other countries by descendants of the original Lohmayer family.

Variations of the surname Lohmayer

The surname Lohmayer is one of the many variants that are found within the vast family of surname spellings and origins. Over the centuries, various spellings of this surname have evolved, ranging from the original spelling of Lohmayer to the modern-day variations: LaMayer, LaMeyer, LeMayeur, and Lohmier.

Other spelling variations include: LaMair, Lemaire, Lamair, LaMaire, LaMayer, Laymayer, Lemeyer, Lemieur, and Lehmeyer. The presence of this surnames in other countries and regions has resulted in additional derivative spellings, such as Laurmeyer in Germany, LaMaillot in France, and Lehmyer in England.

Various sources cite the origin of the Lohmayer surname as French, German and Swiss. French roots could be traced to the Old French word "Lamayer”, which derived from the Latin word "lamire”, meaning meadow. German roots stem from the words "lehme" or “leyme”, meaning clay. The Swiss variation likely comes from the word “lehm”, which means clay as well.

The surname Lohmayer was also adopted by those of Jewish ancestry in various parts of Europe, usually resulting in the spelling of "Lehmeyer" or "Lehmayr”. Such a Jewish adoption could be attributed to instances of religious persecution or the desire to assimilate into a new culture.

No matter what its origin, the surname Lohmayer and its many variant spellings stand today as a reminder of centuries of migrations, random acts of chance, and the evolution of language.

Famous people with the name Lohmayer

• Mathias Lohmayer: Mathias is an Austrian tennis player who has competed in a number of ATP events.
• Bernhard Lohmayer: Bernhard is a Spanish footballer who currently plays for AIK.
• Maximilian Lohmayer: Maximilian is an Austrian actor and director who is best known for his roles in the films Siren´s Call and In Decay.
• Barbara Lohmayer: Barbara is an Austrian painter who has exhibited her work in galleries in countries like China, Taiwan, Japan, and Austria.
• Sybille Lohmayer- Sybille is an Austrian businesswoman who served as the managing director of Air France-KLM Austria.
• Andreas Lohmayer- Andreas is an Austrian musician and composer who is best known for his work in experimental electronic music.
• Klaus Lohmayer- Klaus is an Austrian mountaineer who is renowned for his achievements in high-altitude mountaineering.
• Rudolf Lohmayer- Rudolf is an Austrian author and painter who is the author of many books including Für die Ewigkeit.
• Gerda Lohmayer- Gerda is an Austrian sculptor who has exhibited her artwork at various shows in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany.
• Georg Lohmayer- Georg is an Austrian entomologist and ichthyologist who is a professor at the University of Vienna.

Other surnames

Lohmayr