Surname Jungmeier - Meaning and Origin

Jungmeier: What does the surname Jungmeier mean?

The last name Jungmeier (also spelled Yungmeir) is a German surname derived from two distinct elements: "Jung" and "Meier". The first element, "Jung", is a nickname formed from the Middle High German term "junge" which originally meant "young" and was used to designate a young man, young servant or a newcomer. The second element, "Meier", is a German occupational name referring to one who was the tenant or manager of a farmstead. The name Jungmeier thus meant "young farmer" and designated either someone who was currently a young farmer or someone who had taken on that occupation when he was young.

Historically, the Jungmeier surname was associated with agricultural production, particularly in the Northern part of Germany where it was commonly found in the eighteenth century. Today, it is one of the most widespread German surnames and has spread to the United States, Latin America, and other parts of Europe. Most people with the Jungmeier surname likely descend from a common ancestor, though some may have adopted the name upon migrating.

People with the surname Jungmeier are typically associated with the traits of hardworking, loyal and determined. These traits reflect the challenging life of those who had to work the land and labor to provide for their families. Those with the surname Jungmeier often take pride in their heritage and continue to pass down their surname from generation to generation.

Jungmeier: Where does the name Jungmeier come from?

The last name Jungmeier is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is generally believed that the surname was of Germanic origin, but is unknown where it was first found.

In Germany, Jungmeier can be found mainly in Rhineland Palatinate, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia. In Austria, it is found particularly in Upper Austria, Lower Austria and Tyrol. In Switzerland it is mainly found in the canton of Zurich.

The United States Census of 2000 — which records family names that are more numerous than 100 people in each US state reported 462 people with the last name Jungmeier. The most populous states for Jungmeier are California, Texas, and Wisconsin, with 80, 35 and 21 people respectively.

It is likely that the surname was adopted by various branches of the same family and spread across Europe over time. Many of those bearing the name Jungmeier may trace their ancestry from the same family line.

In recent times the name Jungmeier has become uncommon outside of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, although due to emigration and immigration the name can be found in many countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Jungmeier

The surname Jungmeier is a German surname, derived from the word ‘jung,’ which literally means ‘young.’ Over the centuries, the spelling and variations of Jungmeier have evolved, but it has retained its meaning of ‘young.’

A few variants and spellings of Jungmeier are Jungermeier, Jungmeir, Jugmeier, Jongmaier, Junhmayr, Jungmaire, Junmaier, and Junnmaier.

These variants and spellings with slight variations can be found not only in Germany, but other countries as well, where Germans have settled in large numbers. For example, in the United States, the various surnames of Jungmeier are spelled as Jungmeier, Yongmeyer, Jungeremire, Youngmeyer, Yongemaire, Yonmayr, Yungmire, Youngereayer, Youngerener, Youngemeyer, Yongemire, Jungamayer, Youngmayer, Junnamire, and Yuenvmeir. Like the German variants, some of these spellings have also retained their original meaning of ‘young,’ while others are simply an adaptation of the spelling of the surname.

In addition to the different spelling forms, there are also several surnames of similar origin to Jungmeier that are also found in various countries. These include Youngman, Youngblood, Yongblood, Jungblut, Jugman, Mengele, and Mungler.

Overall, the Jungmeier surname, along with its variants and similar surnames, has spread across many countries over the centuries and provides evidence of the historic German presence in different countries around the world.

Famous people with the name Jungmeier

• Casey Jungmeier: American football quarterback for the Adler Mannheim of the German Football League.
• Matěj Jungmeier: Czech footballer who currently plays as a defender for Czech First League club Viktoria Plzeň.
• Austrian Film Director Harald Jungmeier, who directed feature films such as 'Lebenszeichen', 'Taxi Taxi', and 'Achterbahn des Lebens'.
• Thomas Jungmeier: Austrian former alpine skier who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics.
• Austrian sculptor Gabriela Jungmeier.
• Hubert Jungmeier: German operatic bass, particularly associated with Austria.
• Deanna Jungmeier: American flutist and piccoloist who performs with orchestras and bands internationally.
• Helmut Jungmeier: Austrian former cyclist who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics.
• Art Jungmeier: American former football coach and tissue paper manufacturer.
• Businessman Josef Jungmeier from Passau, Germany.

Other surnames

Jungmeister