Surname Vogtmeier - Meaning and Origin
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Vogtmeier: What does the surname Vogtmeier mean?
The last name Vogtmeier is a German name derived from two old German words; "vogt" (a magistrate or judge) and "meir" (great). It is thought to have originated in regions of Germany during the Middle Ages and was often used to refer to someone who held a powerful position in the community. Primarily it was used to denote a steward or an official in charge of finances, taxes, and the legal proceedings.
People with the last name Vogtmeier were often viewed as being virile and determined, but also compassionate and wise. As a result, they would often be asked to handle disagreements and disputes between members of the community. This would commonly see them mediating and providing impartial judgment that would help bring harmony and understanding amongst opposing sides.
The language shift from Old German to modern German in the 17th century saw the spelling of Vogtmeier take on a number of variations including Vogtmeier, Vogtmeir, and Vogtmeyer. Despite the various spellings, the meaning of the name has generally persisted over time and is still recognised today as the name of someone with a powerful and noble position in the community.
Order DNA origin analysisVogtmeier: Where does the name Vogtmeier come from?
The last name Vogtmeier is found most commonly in Germany, where it is estimated to be borne by approximately 4,700 people. Beyond Germany, the name can be found in smaller numbers in countries around the world, most notably the United States, Australia, France, Canada, and the Netherlands.
In the 19th century, more people with the last name Vogtmeier left Germany for better lives and to escape economic and political upheaval. Many moved to the United States, which has become the home of the greatest number of Vogtmeiers outside of Germany, with approximately 2,400 people using the name as of 2020.
Germany's trend of inward migration from the east since the fall of the Soviet Union has likely added to the number of Vogtmeiers in the country today. It's also likely that people from other countries have moved to Germany, further boosting the number of people with the name found there.
As technology has become more accessible and populations become increasingly more mobile, it is likely that the number of Vogtmeiers living outside of Germany has continued to grow, particularly in the United States. With more people crossing international borders and the ease of connecting with family members over vast distances, it is likely that the name Vogtmeier will continue to spread around the world.
Variations of the surname Vogtmeier
The original surname Vogtmeier is known to have a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Vogt, Vaught, Vaught-Meier, Voight, Vokt, Voktmeier, Vommeke, Votemeier, Voght, Voghtmeier, Feistmeier, Fiest-Meier, Featmeier, Feat-Meier, Feyt, Feytmeier, and Fietmeier are all believed to be variants or spellings based off this same surname.
This surname is of German origin and was derived from names beginning with Vogt. 'Vogt' was originally an occupational title and could denote someone who held a position of authority, such as a local ruler. It can also be translated to mean 'farmer', which was an honorific title for civil servants in medieval Germany. By combining the two words 'Vogt' and 'Meier' together (Meier meaning 'bailiff'), you can create the variant surname of 'Vogtmeier'.
Variations of the Vogtmeier surname likely resulted from the common occurrence of incorrect spelling of names in past centuries, as well as the fact that individuals from the same family frequently changed their surnames in order to differentiate themselves from others in the family. Surnames ending with -meier, -myer or -meyer may also derived from the same origin as it is likely that some early German settlers wrote the German word ‘meister’ as ‘myer’, ‘meyr’ and ‘meier’.
All of these variations of the Vogtmeier surname have descended from the same origin and all likely refer to the same history and background. The surname suggests a German lineage, and the use of the title 'Vogt' may hint at an ancestor who was either a leader or a civil servant in the German region of the family's origin.
Famous people with the name Vogtmeier
- Jeff Vogtmeier: Known best for his role as Joe on the popular television show, Justified.
- Christian Vogtmeier: German biathlete and cross-country skier who competed in the 2010 Winter Olympics.
- Ingrid Vogtmeier: Swiss para-alpine skier who won gold at the 2014 Winter Paralympics.
- Heinz Vogtmeier: German politician and long-time mayor of the city of Hamm.
- Andrea Vogtmeier: German television personality and journalist who co-hosted a current affairs program on SAT.1.
- Fritz Vogtmeier: German far-right politician and former member of the National Democratic Party of Germany.
- Laura Vogtmeier: German figure skater who competed in several European junior championships.
- Johannes Vogtmeier: German professional football player and a member of the German U-21 squad.
- Birthe Vogtmeier: German sailor and bronze medalist at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
- Dieter Vogtmeier: German composer, conductor, and arranger.