Surname Dallmeyr - Meaning and Origin
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Dallmeyr: What does the surname Dallmeyr mean?
The last name Dallmeyr is derived from the Middle High German words “dal” and “meier”, which together roughly translate to “village mayor”. That means this surname likely originated from an ancestor who served historically as a village mayor or leader in what is today known as Germany (or was part of the wider Germanic region before German nationalism as we know it today). This interpretation comes largely from the spelling, as well as other versions of the surname that have similar meanings over time, such as Dellmeir and Dallmeyer.
The Dallmeyr surname is generally thought to have emerged as originally a professional title, typically given to an important and respected advisor to their local community. That generally meant a senior land owner or ruler, or a steward or other high-ranking official, was bestowed the title of “Dallmeyr”. Though it is possible that it also may have evolved over time to be taken on by certain families and passed down through the generations.
It is possible this surname could be related to other neighboring nations and regions, much of which would have been part of the German speaking lands at the time. For example, the Jewish surname Delmeir may be related, as well as families with the surnames Tendam, Tirri, and Terri, which all may have derived from the same source originally.
In any case, it is clear the Dallmeyr surname was likely awarded to a prominent person in the medieval period, and was eventually adopted by a particular family who may have gone on to use it to this day. While the exact origin may never be known, its meaning and the significance it holds to its current-day holders remain clear.
Order DNA origin analysisDallmeyr: Where does the name Dallmeyr come from?
The last name Dallmeyr is most commonly found in Austria today. It is an old family name originating from the pre-Norman invasion of England in the 11th century. Dallmeyr is derived from two elements: ‘dall’ meaning ‘valley’ or ‘dale’, and ‘meyr’ meaning ‘wooded land’ or ‘forest’. The name was brought to Austria in the 16th century with the migration of Protestants to the area, which resulted in many German, Dutch, and English family names being adopted. In Austria, the name is predominately found in the northern districts of Lower and Upper Austria.
The Dallmeyr name is found in records dating back to at least the year 1612 when Jorg Dallmeyr appeared in the archive of the Benedictine monastery of Lambach, Austria. The personnel books of the monastery mention two Jorg Dallmeyrs, including one listed as coming from Wittelsbach in Germany. As a result, it appears that the Dallmeyr family may have been of German origin.
In the present day, the Dallmeyr name is not found in many parts of the world, but those carrying the name are widespread within the Austrian provinces.
Variations of the surname Dallmeyr
The surname Dallmeyr is an Anglicized form of the German surname, Dallmeyer. It was originally derived from the Middle German words, "thal" and "meier," which together mean "valley keeper." This surname would have been used hundreds of years ago to describe a person who was responsible for maintaining the lands in a particular valley, such as a steward or bailiff.
Over time, the name has been spelled and written in a variety of ways. Some of the more common variations of the surname Dallmeyr include: Dalmeyer, Dalmeir, Dollmeyer, Dollmeir, Dallmeir, Dallmeier, Dallmayer, Dalemayer, Dalmyer, Dalmayr, Dallmay, Dalmaier, Dalmiyer, Dalemyer,Dealmeyer, Dealmaier,Dehlmeyer andDelmeyer.
Similarly, other surnames may have the same origin as Dallmeyr but with slight spelling differences due to their region of origin. In German-speaking regions, the surname is spelled frequently as Dallmaier, Dallmayr, Dallmair, Dallmeier, Dallmeister, Dollmayer, and Dollmaier, to name a few.
In Scandinavian countries, the surname may take on some additional letters and spellings, such as Dialmayer, Dialmaier, Dahlmeyer, Dahlmaier, and Dahlmeir. Likewise, Polish speaking regions may have variants of the surname: Dalemark, Dallmajer, Dallmark, Dallmarku, Dallmierz, Dalemerc, and Dollmercz.
In Russian-speaking regions, the name may possibly be spelled Dallmer, Dallmerov, Dallmerova, Dallmers, and even Dollmar. These spellings all have the same origin: Dallmeyr, a Middle German surname derived from thal and meier, which together mean "valley keeper.”
Famous people with the name Dallmeyr
- Nick Dallmeyr, German professional alpine ski racer
- Siegfried Dallmeyr, German bowler and former Olympic competitor
- Steffen Dallmeyr, German football player
- Germaine Dallmeyr, German medical practitioner and author
- Viktor Dallmeyr, German politician
- Else Dallmeyr, Austrian pianist and composer
- Richard Dallmeyr, German conductor
- Ursula Dallmeyr, Austrian pianist
- Detlef Dallmeyr, German printmaker and lecturer
- Ernest Dallmeyr, American yacht designer and builder