Surname Perzlmaier - Meaning and Origin
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Perzlmaier: What does the surname Perzlmaier mean?
The last name Perzlmaier is an Austrian surname of German origin. The name is derived from the words “Perzel”, which is a type of fir tree, and “Maier”, which was a title of a public official. The combined meaning of the name is therefore “fir tree officer” or “forest patrolman”.
The origin of the last name likely dates back to the late Middle Ages when Austrian nobility conducted forest patrols in order to protect their forests from illegal activities. Those tasked with this duty took the name “Perzelmaier”, a reference to their official title.
This last name has remained popular over the centuries, largely because it is both a reference to a noble position and a reminder of the importance of protecting nature. Its frequencies are highest in Austria and parts of Germany, though it has also spread to other parts of Europe and even to the United States.
Today, the last name Perzlmaier is associated with a sense of honor and respect, rewards earned through dedicated service and hard work. This is why it is still used to honor those who have made important contributions to their communities. The meaning of the name is still just as important today as it was centuries ago.
Order DNA origin analysisPerzlmaier: Where does the name Perzlmaier come from?
The surname Perzlmaier is a common German name, and it can be found throughout Germany, Austria, and much of Switzerland. People with the last name Perzlmaier are also found in many other countries in Europe, including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Additionally, the surname is becoming increasingly more common in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand due to migration from Europe.
Based on research conducted by the Ancestry.com Genealogy website, the regions with the highest concentration of Perzlmaier's are Bavaria, Bohemia, and Austria. Bavaria is in the south of Germany, Bohemia is now the Czech Republic, and Austria is just to the east of Germany. The regions of Austria that have the highest concentration of this surname are Salzburg and Tyrol, in the western part of the country.
The Perzlmaier surname likely originated in Bavaria in the 13th century. It is derived from the given name "Perzl," which is a diminutive of "Berthold," which means "bright or illustrious ruler." The last name has remained fairly constant throughout its history, suggesting that it is quite an old surname.
Today, Perzlmaier's can be found throughout Europe, as well as North and South America, Australasia, and parts of Asia and Africa. With the increased global mobility, it’s highly likely that the last name Perzlmaier will increase in prevalence.
Variations of the surname Perzlmaier
The surname Perzlmaier is an occupational surname derived from the German word 'perzelmayer', which means 'potter'. It is a common surname throughout Austria and Southern Germany, and can be spelled in several different ways, including Perezlmaier, Perzlmayer, and Perzlmayr. Variants of this surname include Perlmaier, Perlmayer, and Perlamayr.
In some regions, the surname has evolved over time into a patronymic, such that a Perzlmaier might now refer to descendants of a male ancestor with the Perzlmaier surname. Similarly, variants like Pörzlmaier, Pörzlmayer, and Pörzlmayr might also refer to descendants of a common ancestor with the original Perzlmaier surname.
The original spelling, Perzlmaier, may also be shared by other unrelated families with different ancestry; for example, those descended from Czech immigrants, who may have adopted the same spelling out of convenience or tradition. It may also be shared by non-German families, either through adoption into foreign cultures or through assimilation into other ethnic groups, with spellings being adapted and changed to better suit the local language.
In any case, the origin of the Perzlmaier surname is unmistakably Germanic, and today, almost all known families bearing this name remain of that origin.
Famous people with the name Perzlmaier
- Christoph Perzlmaier: a German professional tennis player
- Dominik Perzlmaier: a German jazz musician
- Felix Perzlmaier: a German professional soccer player
- Apron Perzlmaier: an Austrian Baroque architect
- Hans Perzlmaier: an Austrian sculptor
- Bernd Perzlmaier: a German alpine skier
- Sybille Perzlmaier: a German voice actress
- Konstantin Perzlmaier: a German composer and pianist
- Katrin Perzlmaier: a German professional cyclist
- Julius Perzlmaier: a German painter