Surname Meßmer - Meaning and Origin
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U. Meßmer
read moreMeßmer: What does the surname Meßmer mean?
The last name Meßmer is an occupational surname from the German language. The name indicates that the original bearer of the name practiced Mesmerism, which was a process developed by Austrian physician Franz Anton Mesmer in the 18th century.
Mesmerism is a type of Alternative Medicine that is based on a concept of animal magnetism, which is an invisible natural force or power. It involves the use of electromagnetic force to manipulate the magnetic fields of a person's body in order to improve health. Mesmer established the practice of animal magnetism as an alternative therapy for all types of health issues from physical and mental disorders to chronic illnesses.
In the German language, Meßmer is derived from the German word “Meßer” which means knife or sharp instrument and “Mer” which is an old form of the name for the village, Meseritz. Therefore, it implies that the original bearer of the surname was a profession involving the use of knives or sharp instruments such as a barber or surgeon and this connects back to the practice of Mesmerism.
It is likely that the surname has roots as an occupational name to denote an association with Mesmerism as practitioners require the use of technologies and tools such as sharp instruments. Today bearers of the surname still reside in the German-speaking regions, though alternative spellings such as Messmer or Messmair do exist.
Order DNA origin analysisMeßmer: Where does the name Meßmer come from?
Meßmer is a German surname, and the people who share it can be found most commonly in German-speaking countries, like Germany, Austria and Switzerland. This is not surprising, since the name is typically reserved to those with German ancestry.
The surname Meßmer is also found in the United States, Canada, and other countries around the world. German immigrants to these countries have kept the name and passed it down to their descendants, which has allowed it to spread to other communities over time. In America, the name is likely most commonly found in the Midwest or Southeast regions, where the largest German-speaking populations are usually located.
Meßmer is still a relatively uncommon name worldwide. However, its numbers have been growing steadily in recent years, due in part to increased immigration to countries around the world, as well as intermarriage between people of different nationalities and cultures. As a result, the Meßmer surname is likely to gain greater visibility in the years to come.
Variations of the surname Meßmer
The surname Meßmer is a German name that is primarily associated with the Meßmer family, which have their origins in Silesia. The most common variants of the surname are Messmer, Mesmer, Mezmer, Mezmar, Mesmar, and Metsmer. It is believed that the modern spelling of the name is an anglicized form of the German Müssmer, which is an older variant of the name.
The surname occurs primarily in Germany and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe. It is derived from the German word “mess” (meaning “measure”) and is likely to have originally referred to someone who was a professional measurer or surveyor.
The Mesmer variant is the most common spelling found in the United States, while the Mezmer variant is also relatively common. The other spellings – Mezmar, Mesmar and Metsmer – are much less common, and are primarily found in Central and Eastern Europe.
In some cases, the surname has also been adopted by families of Jewish origin who were forced to change their names during the Nazi regime in Germany.
The variant Meissner is also derived from the same root word as Meßmer, and is a more common spelling in the German-speaking regions of Europe. The Meisner variant appears to be more common in the United States than the Meissner variant.
The variant Mishmer is also derived from the same root word as Meßmer, and is especially common in the Jewish community. The Mishmer variant is found mainly in the United States and Israel.
Famous people with the name Meßmer
- Alexander Meßmer: a German actor known for roles in various TV series and films such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Stereo and The Red Baron.
- Philipp Meßmer: a Swiss actor, screenwriter and director who has appeared in films such as Gisela and Good Bye, Lenin!
- Leontine Meßmer: a German soprano opera singer known for performing with the Royal Danish Theatre and for her recordings of German songs.
- Heinrich Meßmer: a German painter and sculptor during the early 20th century famous for his art nouveau pieces.
- Adele Meßmer: a German actress who has had roles on multiple TV series such as Dortmund Downtown and Inspector Rex.
- Werner Meßmer: a German actor known for his roles in films such as Abgehört and Hausmeister Krause, as well as on popular TV series such as Stuttgart Homicide.
- Thomas Meßmer: a German comedian and actor known for making appearances in films such as The Elementary Particles and Jazz Club.
- Elisabeth Meßmer: an Austrian screenwriter and director who is best known for writing the script for the acclaimed film Good Bye, Lenin!
- Petra Meßmer: a German actress who has had roles on both film and television, including on the popular series Lindenstraße.
- Alex Meßmer: a German artist who creates bold illustrations with a neo-expressionist and hyperrealist style.