Surname Mertlbaur - Meaning and Origin

Mertlbaur: What does the surname Mertlbaur mean?

The surname Mertlbaur is of German origin and is believed to be derived from the name of a Middle High German personal name, 'Merten'. This was likely an old Germanic word which meant 'fame' or 'renowned', likely due to a famous former bearer of the name.

The earliest known record of the surname is seen in medieval documents in 1480 near the southern German city of Nuremberg. Over time, documents show the variants of the surname expanded and spread across Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The Mertlbaur noted in historical records were primarily farmers and tradespeople, indicative of the lower social status that the surname symbolized. It was not until the 19th century that members of the Mertlbaur family began to achieve success as members of the professions, such as doctors and lawyers.

Today, Mertlbaur is a growingly common surname, with many German residents registered with the surname, and many more scattered across the globe. This indicates a greater mobile of those bearing the surname since the 19th century, which can be attributed to global influences, advances in technology and transportation, and increased opportunities for functionality and success.

Mertlbaur: Where does the name Mertlbaur come from?

The last name Mertlbaur is most commonly found in Germany today. It is estimated that there are over 70 families bearing the name throughout the country, with the majority clustered in the southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg as well as the larger cities like Berlin and Munich.

This German surname likely originated in the Bavarian and Palatinate regions in the Middle Ages and is said to be derived from the words "mert" and "lahner", which mean "clearing" and "dweller" respectively. This suggests that the original name bearer was someone who resided near a clearing in the forest or at the foot of a mountain.

It is possible that the name Mertlbaur has branched out from Germany to other countries at one point in time, though this cannot be proven. Many Mertlbaur families have stayed in their homeland, and the frequency of the name in Germany remains relatively high today. The great majority of Mertlbaur families still living in Germany today are highly unlikely to have any living relatives outside the area.

Variations of the surname Mertlbaur

Mertlbaur is a surname with German roots. It is a variation of the surname Merklbauer, originating from the Bavarian word ‘Merkl’ meaning ‘mark’ or ‘boundary’ and ‘bauer’ meaning ‘farmer’. Variations of this surname include Mertlbau, Mertlbauer, Merklbauer and Merklbau. This name is also sometimes spelled with an ‘Umlaut’ (e.g. Mertlbäuer) or with a double ‘L’ (e.g. Mertllbauer). In terms of surnames with similar origins, although not necessarily directly related, Mertlbaur can be associated with the following: Marklbauer, Marklbau, Marklbauer, Merklbauer, Merklbauer, Merklebauer, Merklauf, Merkloff, Merklow, Merklowe, and Merklmann.

In the United States, some variations of this surname, such as Mertlbauer and Merklbauer, are so scarce that they can only be found in a few places within the country. Those bearing the Mertlbaur name can be found mostly in Germany, Austria, and parts of Eastern Europe. It is also known to have spread to some parts of Central and North America, specifically parts of Canada and the United States.

In some countries, this surname is written according to the phonetic pronunciation of the name. This includes Merlbauer, Merklbaur, and Merlbaum. In France, it is sometimes also written as Mertelbauer or Mertelbaum.

Overall, the surname Mertlbaur has several variants, spellings, and closely related surnames. Despite its scarcity in parts of the world, those who bear it can trace their ancestry to its German origin.

Famous people with the name Mertlbaur

• Mike Mertlbauer, American former National Basketball Association (NBA) player
• Daniel Mertlbauer, Austrian professional footballer
• Josef Mertlbauer, Austrian former competitive figure skater
• Rudi Mertlbauer, Austrian professional football manager
• Peter Mertlbauer, Austrian contemporary composer
• Erich Mertlbauer, Austrian former international soccer player
• Kristof Mertlbauer, Austrian-born American racing driver
• Astrid Mertlbauer, German contemporary artist
• Claudia Mertlbauer, Austrian beach volleyball player
• Robert Mertlbauer, Austrian road bicycle racer

Other surnames

Mertlbauer