Surname Leitmeir - Meaning and Origin
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Leitmeir: What does the surname Leitmeir mean?
The last name Leitmeir is one of many German surnames derived from a Middle High German word combining “Leit” (meaning “leading/guiding”) and “meir” (meaning “mayor/guide”). This suggests the name can be translated as “chief guide” or “head guide”, and typically associated with people in leadership roles.
The distinctions between last names and given names were not well established in pre-modern eras, so the Leitmeir surname could be found among a variety of people from different regions and varied occupations. It has been widely established that the use of a defining word such as “Leit” to indicate leadership was only used with higher-ranking positions within a community, however, so this suggests that those bearing the last name were either in a position of perceived authority or lived in an area of considerable authority.
Within contemporary society, the Leitmeir surname is still among the world’s most common surnames. Found throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and other countries in central Europe, the name also has a strong presence in the United States, particularly in the Midwest where many German immigrants settled. It is also common in South America, reflecting the influence of further immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Overall, the Leitmeir name is derived from the Middle High German and connotes a leader or guide, suggesting those who bear the name are naturally assumed to possess sense of authority and strong leadership qualities.
Order DNA origin analysisLeitmeir: Where does the name Leitmeir come from?
The last name Leitmeir is most commonly found today in the United States, and is largely concentrated in California and New York, with small pockets in other states. The bulk of individuals with this surname are of German descent, having immigrated to the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Genealogical records for the surname Leitmeir are especially abundant in the state of California, where many immigrant families settled. In the 1880 US census, one can find many instances of this last name in cities such as San Francisco, Santa Monica, and Los Angeles. Today, its usage continues throughout the Golden State, as well as the entire country. In particular, large numbers of Leitmeirs can be found in cities such as New York and Chicago.
In other parts of the world, the name is found in Germany, France, England, Ireland, Australia, and Canada, albeit in lesser numbers. As noted earlier, Leitmeir is a German-based surname, and since Germans are the largest ancestry group reported in the United States, the highest concentration of this name is found here. Consequently, those with this name will have many relatives that share their surname in the US.
Variations of the surname Leitmeir
The surname Leitmeir has Germanic origins and is found most commonly in Bavaria, Germany. It typically refers to a Lemur-like person or somebody who lives near a body of water. Other variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin are Leitmeier (without the “i”), Leitmeyer (with the “y” instead of “i”), and Letmeir (with the “t” instead of the “l”.
The first part of the name — Leit — is derived from the Germanic word “leiden” meaning to suffer or endure, or, in other contexts, to tend or take care of. From this root the name derives from the suffix meire or meyer, meaning border, bank or shoreline. Thus, the overall translation of the name is “suffers at the shore” or “a person who resides close to the shore”.
The name also has various spelling variations throughout the German Diaspora including Laytmeier, Leytmeier, Leetmeier, Letmeir, Laemmeir, Laitmeier, Laytmeir, Leitmair, Lehteymer, Liittmeir, Leitmair, Leetmaer, Leetmeyer, Leetmire, Leitmer, Letmer, and Letmeir.
In addition to these, the surname Leitmeir is also found in Yiddish as Leytmaer or Leytmeir, where the first part of the name is derived from the Hebrew root meaning “law”, and the suffix “meir” meaning bright (as opposed to suffering or enduring).
The variants of the Leitmeir surname can be found all over the world, and, as such, its complexities are numerous. Nevertheless, there are many interesting insights into its origins and its meaning, which can provide interesting historical context to anyone wishing to explore the origins of their family's name.
Famous people with the name Leitmeir
- Alexander Leitmeir (former German footballer)
- Deb Leitmeir (American actress)
- Gerd Leitmeier (German politician)
- Grace Leitmeir (American model)
- Hildegard Leitmeir (German artist)
- Markus Leitmeir (former professional footballer)
- Mark Leitmeir (American entrepreneur)
- Mathias Leitmeir (German footballer)
- Peter Leitmeir (German football coach)
- Udo Leitmeir (German artist)