Surname Worthmeier - Meaning and Origin
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Worthmeier: What does the surname Worthmeier mean?
The last name Worthmeier has German origins. The first recorded instance of this surname was in 1487, when one Johannes Worthmar was a clergyman in the village of Weiler im Allgäu. The name is derived from the Old German word “wurt” meaning ‘enclosure’ and “meier” meaning ‘servant’. This suggests that an ancestor of this surname was a steward of a nobleman’s enclosure in Germany sometime in the 14th or 15th century.
Over time, the surname spread and evolved across Europe as families moved from one region to another. Today, the surname Worthmeier can be found in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, and the United States.
People with the last name Worthmeier often have a hardworking and determined personality, especially in their career pursuits. They can be reliable and down to earth, and take great pride in their work and life achievements. They also value their family and close friends, and like to stay connected to them.
Order DNA origin analysisWorthmeier: Where does the name Worthmeier come from?
The last name Worthmeier is most commonly found in Germany. It is believed to be a German-specific surname derived from the combination of the German words “wert,” meaning “value,” and “meier,” which was a common suffix used to indicate someone in a position of authority or power.
Today, the Worthmeier family name is still most common in Germany, particularly in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria and Saarland. It has, however, spread beyond Germany over the years and can be found in countries around the world including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand.
In the U.S., Worthmeiers are most likely to be found living in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin, although they can be found scattered throughout all fifty states. Worthmeier families in the U.S. tend to have either German immigrant ancestors or are of German descent.
Overall, the last name Worthmeier is a reminder of German ancestry and connection to a certain type of authority-bearing title. It is found most commonly in Germany, but can be found throughout the world in countries with a sizable German immigrant population.
Variations of the surname Worthmeier
Worthmeier is a German surname, derived from the personal name Wurtmarker, itself made up of two elements: the Old German verb “wurtan”, meaning “ringing” or “ringlike”, and the Old German word “marh”, referring to a horse.
By the late Middle Ages, the Worthmeier surname was established in much of western Germany. Variants of the surname include Wortmeir, Wortmeier, Wertmeir, Wertmeier, Wurthmeier, and Wurtmeier. The surname is also found further east, among the German diaspora in Eastern European countries like Austria, Czechia, Hungary, and Romania. In those countries, variant and alternate spellings of the surname can sometimes be found among the local language, either as a borrowing from or adaptation to local phonology, such as Varthmayer in Austria and Várthmayer in Hungary.
In many countries with a large German diaspora, related surnames also exist, likely stemming from variants of Worthmeier. In the United States, examples include Verth, Vert, Varty, and Vermes. Similarly, in Australia, a possible variant of Worthmeier is Vorthmann.
All of these surnames, despite subtle spelling variations, likely refer back to the same origin.
Famous people with the name Worthmeier
- Steven Worthmeier: American theatre artist, creative producer, composer, and theatre professor.
- Dillion Worthmeier: visual artist and photographer.
- Rebecca Worthmeier: award-winning American film editor.
- Traci Worthmeier: American singer, songwriter, and producer.
- Maria Worthmeier: German-American actress and director.
- Erica Worthmeier: American author and novelist.
- Lucas Worthmeier: saxophonist, composer, and recording artist.
- Bruce Worthmeier: Canadian ice hockey player.
- James Worthmeier: professional snowboarder.
- Sarah Worthmeier: painter and illustrator from the United States.