Surname Raymer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Raymer: What does the surname Raymer mean?
The last name Raymer is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a topographical name derived from the Old English word ryemere. This word literally translates to mean "border mender", and is used to describe someone who was responsible for maintaining the hedges and fences along the boundaries of property. The Raymer last name would have been given to a person who was a boundary mender, fence mender, or a wall mender.
In some regions of England, this last name may also have originally been an occupational name for a worker in a rope factory, as the word ryemere can also refer to someone who is experienced in manipulating and spinning fibers.
The Raymer surname is also closely related to the surname Raynor, which has a similar origin but is believed to have been derived from the Old Norse word raenja, which refers to a boundary keeper or hunter. The addition of the letter 'M' to Raymer, which has occurred in a few cases, is thought to indicate that the bearer had mastered his trade and had been elevated to the status of master craftsman.
Aside from an occupational origin, the Raymer surname is also found in Scotland, and is believed to derive from the personal name Ramm, a pet form of the name of the Gaelic god, Ramm or Raem.
In total, the Raymer last name usually signifies someone who is a master of their trade and is responsible for maintaining and repairing boundaries and fences.
Order DNA origin analysisRaymer: Where does the name Raymer come from?
The last name Raymer is a name of English and German origin, and spread across Europe and its colonies during the colonial era. It is most commonly found in the United States today, with large populations in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, Ohio, California, and New York. In Europe, the name is still found in Germany, England, and more rarely, Ireland.
The Raymer surname is derived from the Old German term Raimar, which means “wise protector”. Through migration during the Middle Ages, the name was brought to the British Isles, and the spelling changed to Raymer after entering colonial America.
In modern times, the last name Raymer has been quite successful, with multiple famous members of the family. Three-time Golden Globe winner Walter Raymer became famous in the 1980s for his string of successful comedy films. His brother, Raymond Raymer, was also an Emmy-nominated actor, best known for his roles in The Jerk and Sling Blade.
The Raymer’s were also influential during the American Civil War. One Raymer soldier, General Peter Raymer, was a key Confederate general during the Gettysburg campaign. The family continues to be closely associated with military and political life in the United States and Europe, showing the strong contribution of the Raymers to the development and growth of both societies.
Variations of the surname Raymer
The Raymer surname is an English surname that originated in the country of England, and can be spelled a variety of ways, such as Raymar, Raeimer, Reimer, Remer, Raymore, Raimer, and Raymmer. It is also sometimes spelled phonetically, such as “Raymar”.
This surname likely originated from a location in England, and was used as a descriptive surname when needed to distinguish one person from another with a similar name. For example, the surname Raymer may have originated from a settlement by the name of Raymer that was located in Lancashire, England. Over time, it appears that Raymer was used in different ways and was later changed to a variety of similar spellings.
This surname can also be found in Scotland, although is much rarer. One of the variants, Raeimer, is derived from the Middle English word “rayme”, meaning “path”. It is possible that this name was given to someone who lived or worked near a winding or meandering path.
Other variants that are associated with the Raymer surname include Raymour, Raymor, Rayma, Raymoree, Raymony, and Raymery. These variations are all somewhat similar in spelling to the original surname, but could have also arisen from different dialects spoken in different parts of England or Scotland.
One final variant that should be noted is the surname Rayman, which is derived from the Old French “raiman”, meaning “to thresh”. This surname likely referred to someone who worked as a farmer or thresher.
Overall, the Raymer surname has many variants, spellings, and derivatives that can be used to identify someone with English roots. In any case, researching any of the variants of the Raymer surname can be helpful in finding out more about an individual’s family history and heritage.
Famous people with the name Raymer
- Shannon Raymer: American fashion model
- Cheryl Raymer: Canadian painter
- Fred Raymer: English science fiction writer
- Steve Raymer: American journalist and documentary photographer
- Chris Raymer: American actor and music artist
- Kate Raymer: American actor
- Brian Raymer: Canadian actor
- Jennifer Raymer: American Olympic volleyball player
- Christiansen Raymer: Canadian Paralympic swimmer
- Michael E. Raymer: American former FBI Director
- Graham Raymer: British composer and musician