Surname Petermayer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Petermayer: What does the surname Petermayer mean?
The last name Petermayer is of German origin and is thought to have derived from the medieval personal name Peter or Petrus. This name is derived from the Latin petra, meaning ‘rock’. Thus, the surname Petermayer likely implies a ‘son of Peter’ or ‘son of the rock.’ It is believed that the name was used in a region of south Germany known as Wurttemberg during the 16th century.
In more modern times, the name Petermayer is most commonly found in Austria, Germany and Switzerland as well as in countries with German diaspora populations such as the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
The Petermayer surname has no hereditary family crest, but some families have adopted a crest based on the letters ‘PM’, which stands for Petermayer. This crest is typically depicted on a red shield.
Given its association with the Latin petra, the Petermayer surname likely has a strong connotation with strength, bravery and stability. Those with the surname may have pride in its roots that extend back hundreds of years and the symbolism behind its name.
Order DNA origin analysisPetermayer: Where does the name Petermayer come from?
The last name Petermayer is most commonly found in Germany as the name originates from there. According to records in the German telephone book, the surname Petermayer is located in numerous areas of the country, particularly in Bavaria, Saxony, Rhineland Palatinate, Berlin, Baden-Württemberg, and Lower Saxony. The name is also found throughout much of Austria and to a lesser extent, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
The United States has the largest population of people with the last name Petermayer outside of Germany, with almost 4,000 people recorded in the most recent census (2010). Most of these American-based citizens with the name Petermayer live in the state of New York, with the majority centered in the largest metropolitan areas such as New York City, Buffalo, and Rochester.
The countries of Canada, England, Netherlands, France, and Australia also record citizens with the surname Petermayer. However, these locations only house around 100 people with this last name non-German speaking countries.
Overall, the name Petermayer remains most common in Germany, with the majority living in Bavaria and other locations previously mentioned. There are still a few people with the surname living in other parts of the world, but their numbers are much smaller.
Variations of the surname Petermayer
Petermayer (or Petermajer) is a surname of Germanic origin, which evolved in the early 19th century. This surname is derived from the personal name Peter, which is the same as the Greek form 'Petros' and is a translation of the Hebrew "Kepha". It is believed that the surname is of Old High German, indicating it is derived from an ancestor who lived in an area historically and geographically part of the High German linguistic area.
Variants of the surname Petermayer include Petermeyer, Petermaier, Petermair, Petermoye, Pettermeyer, Pietermayer, Pietermaier, Peetermeyer, Peetmaier, Pettermaier, Pettermair and Pettermoyer. Some variants of the surname are anglicized as Peterman, Peterm inconvenience.
For the surname Petermayer, spellings such as Peetmaier, Pietermayer and Pettermair are also found. These forms were likely formed from orally altering the surname through use. Related surnames of the same origin include Petermann, Petermann, Petersmann, Pettermann, Petterman, and Pietersma.
The general form of the surname is '-mayer' or '-majer'. It is derived from a form of 'maier', which is an occupational name for a mayor or a bailiff. The name 'maier' is derived from the Old High German 'major' and 'mair', from 'marshal'. Thus, the surname Petermayer is likely derived from someone who either acted as a mayor or a bailiff.
Famous people with the name Petermayer
- Peter Mayer: the guitarist and lead singer of the New Orleans-based rock band Peter Mayer Group since 1995 who has also recorded and performed with Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band.
- Marco Petermayer: an Austrian film and television director known for his work on Weddings Made in Heaven (2019) and Die Kinder der Toten (2015).
- Ulli Petermayer: an Austrian journalist and television presenter who presented the popular news magazine ZIB 2 on the Austrian public broadcasting service ÖRF.
- AnnaPeterMayer: a visual artist and popular YouTuber with a large following of over a half-million subscribers.
- André Petermayer: a Swiss-born Austrian film & television director, screenwriter, and producer. His notable works include Rast, Al otro lado del río, and This Ain’t California.
- Sabine Petermayer: a German actress, best known for her roles in Vollbart (2011), Lieder meines Lebens (2012) and Altiplano (2014).
- Ida Petermayer: a pianist, composer, and musicologist from Vienna, Austria. Her works span from chamber music, contemporary compositions, and songs with jazz influences.
- Gareth Petermayer: an American record producer and songwriter who has produced and written for some of the biggest names in the music industry such as Michael Jackson, The Black Eyed Peas, Justin Bieber, and Mariah Carey.
- Marie-Meile Petermayer: an Austrian singer who started her music career as the lead singer of the musical group Official Material. She regularly performs internationally and has released a solo album called Storms of Steel.
- Luise Petermayer: a German-born film & theater actress, best known for playing the role of Maria Schindler in the drama film The White Sound (2013).