Surname Faltermeir - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Faltermeir: What does the surname Faltermeir mean?
The last name Faltermeir is of German origin and is derived from 'Falter', meaning 'falconer'. Originally, the word was used to describe a person who maintained and trained falcons for hunting. This profession was likely carried out by upper class medieval German families as a form of sport.
The term 'Meir' is derived from 'mayer', meaning 'mayor'. This suffix was likely given to the surname to denote that the family held a position of authority or notoriety within society.
Given its unique meaning, people with the surname Faltermeir can be confidently said to have come from a culturally impressive background. It likely indicated that the family were members of a powerful and respected ruling class, or that they had some form of specialized knowledge or skill.
Either way, those with the last name Faltermeir can be proud of their heritage. Being a part of a noble lineage that has held a prominent social position for centuries is something to be celebrated. Furthermore, having a unique name such as Faltermeir also adds to one's sense of identity and helps deepen their cultural roots.
Order DNA origin analysisFaltermeir: Where does the name Faltermeir come from?
The last name Faltermeir is most commonly encountered today in parts of Europe such as Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. It is believed to have originated in southern Germany around the 18th century, likely as a combination of the words falten, which means to fold, and meier, which is an old German word meaning mayor or leader.
The origin of the Faltermeir name can be traced back to the small village of Upweiler in southern Germany. The first known Faltermeir was a man named Bernhard, who was born in 1770. He was a farmer in the Upweiler area, and had 11 children with his wife, Elisabetha—two of whom carried the last name of Faltermeir. The name spread to other parts of Germany from there, with some Faltermeirs migrating to Switzerland and Austria in the 19th century.
The surname Faltermeir is rare outside of certain areas of Europe, but can still be found in some other places around the world, such as South America, the United States, and Canada. There are records showing that the name was brought to certain parts of the United States as early as 1836, while records in Brazil indicate that some Faltermeirs likely arrived from Austria in the early 1900s.
Today, the last name Faltermeir is still most commonly found in the areas where it originated, such as southern Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. While relatively rare in other parts of the world, it is still possible to find families with the name living in other countries such as the United States, Canada, and Brazil.
Variations of the surname Faltermeir
Faltermeir is a surname of Germanic origin, derived from the German words falter, meaning "to flutter", and meier, meaning "mayor". The variants of this surname include Voltmer, Foltmaier, Voltmer, Foltmeyer, Faltmeir, Faltmaier, Foltmeier, Faltermayer, Valter, Faltemeyer, Faltmayer, Faltemayer, Foltmaier, and Valtmer.
In some cases, the surname has been shortened to Meir, while other variants include Faulkner, Faller, and Veltmeijer. In other parts of Germany, the surname can be spelled with a "K" instead of a "C" (as in Koltermeier), and with the "y" replaced with an "i" (as in Foltmeier).
Many immigrants from Germany to other European countries, like Austria and Switzerland, changed the spelling of their surnames, so there are now many different spellings of Faltermeir across the continent. It is also not uncommon for the surname to be spelled with one "l" instead of two (as in Faltermier and Faltermair).
In the United States, the surname has also been adapted, with the various spellings including Faltermeier, Foltmer, Faltmeyer, Faltmeier, Faltemeyer, Faltmayer, Faltemeyer, Foltmayr, Valtmer, Falliemeir, Fahltmeier, and Valtermayer.
The spelling of Falconer is also related to the German surname, as the word "falcon" is derived from "falter". Other related surnames include Faulkner, Faller, and Veltmeijer.
Famous people with the name Faltermeir
- Nils Paul Faltermeier: German footballer
- Werner Faltermeier: German footballer, former international U-21 defender
- Martin Faltermeier: German footballer and TV presenter
- Andy Faltermeier: German footballer, defensive midfielder
- Christina Faltermeier: German film and television actress
- Franz Faltermeier: German painter
- Romy Faltermeier: German television presenter, actress, and model
- Katrin Faltermeier: German opera singer
- Felix Faltermeier: German artist and publisher
- Thomas Faltermeier: German scholar and publicist