Surname Pichlmeier - Meaning and Origin

Pichlmeier: What does the surname Pichlmeier mean?

The last name Pichlmeier is of German origin and is derived from a habitational name meaning one from "Pichlmair," the name of a place in Bavaria. The placename is derived from the Old High German words ‘pichel’ and ‘mahr’ meaning ‘wood with horses’. Variations of the name include Pichlmeir, Pichlmaier, Pichlmayer, Picklemaier, Picklemeyer, and many more.

The surname Pichlmeier can be found in records as early as 1621. One of the earliest bearers of the name was Johann Pichlmaier, who was a doctor in Heidingsfeld, Bavaria in 1686. Variations of the surname can be found throughout Europe and North America, particularly in the United States and Canada.

The Pichlmeier surname is still very much alive today and boasts a strong presence in Bavaria. It is a traditional surname that has been passed down from generation to generation for centuries and is still found in many parts of the world.

Pichlmeier: Where does the name Pichlmeier come from?

The Pichlmeier surname is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. It was first recorded in the mid-14th century in parts of southern Germany, particularly around Bavaria and Austria. Over the last 700 years, the name has spread across Germany, and to some other countries.

In Germany, Pichlmeier can be found in the states of Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony, Baden-Wurttemberg, Berlin, Brandenburg, and North Rhine-Westphalia. Neighboring Austria also has a large population of Pichlmeiers. In the US, the name is found mainly in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, and New York.

It is thought that the name originates from a pet form of the German given name Piquette, which means "small, endearing one". It could also be derived from a place name, and there is a small town in Bavaria, called Pichlmeier, that could be the origin.

Today, the Pichlmeier name is still thriving and growing across Germany, Austria, and other parts of the world. Many people with the name work in the fields of agriculture, engineering, finance, business, media, and law. As for those living in the US, many descended from German immigrants who took the family name with them.

Variations of the surname Pichlmeier

The surname Pichlmeier is derived from the German phrase ‘Pichle’ meaning “small” and ‘meier’ meaning “lord, master” or “mayor.” Thus, the surname suggests someone of small stature who was a leader or a mayor. Variants and spellings of the surname include Pichlmaier, Pichlmayr, and Pichlmeir, among others.

The most common variations on the Pichlmeier surname are Pichlmaier, Pichlmeir, and Pichlmayr. However, the names are all derived from the same origin and could be spelled differently depending on where the family members originated from.

Variants in other countries, including the United States, may include Pechelmaier, Picklmaier, Pictlemeier, Pichulemyer, Pechlemeyer, Pechelemeier, Picklemeyer, Pitchlemeier, Pechermeier, Plittlemeyer, Pittelemeyer, and Pichelmeier.

The surname follows the patronymic naming convention in German, and families with the surname could have numerous branches and generational variations of the spelling. Regional dialects and language barriers could have further muddied up the name. In certain cases, the spelling Pichlmeier could have become corrupted to similar sounding names such as reciprocal surnames starting with ‘B’ such as Bechlemeier.

The name has become rare outside of Germany, as its origin is German. As such, the majority of people who carry the name either live there, or are descendants of German emigrants. This name, and its variants, can be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, Netherlands, and South America.

Famous people with the name Pichlmeier

• Michael Pichlmeier: A famous German biathlete. He won two World Championships in 1990 and 1993 and was part of the German Olympic team in 1984, 1988, 1992 and 1994.
• Nicola Pichlmeier: A German snowboarder who competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. She finished in 9th place in the Parallel Giant Slalom event.
• Rainer Pichlmeier: A German skier who competed in the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. He finished in 22nd place in the Super G event.
• Matthias Pichlmeier: A German ski jumper who competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. He finished in 28th place in the Individual Large Hill event.
• Hannes Pichlmeier: An Austrian alpine skier who competed in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano Japan. He finished in 10th place in the Downhill event.
• Oskar Pichlmeier: An Austrian biathlete who competed in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. He finished in 24th place in the individual event.
• Ferdinand Pichlmeier: A German piano maker who had his own manufactory in Markneukirchen, Germany. The Pichlmeier piano lived up to the highest quality standards of the 19th century.
• Enna Pichlmeier: A German dressmaker active in the 1950s and considered an important part of the fashion scene in Berlin at the time. She was associated with the Bauhaus art school.

Other surnames

PichlmeyerPichlmeyr