Surname Hamers - Meaning and Origin
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Hamers: What does the surname Hamers mean?
The last name Hamers is a Dutch surname that dates back as far as the 1500s. According to surname dictionaries, the surname has several possible meanings.
The first is derived from the Middle Dutch word for ‘hammer’. This could indicate a person with a skilled trade or craft of metalworking, such as a blacksmith, or it could indicate someone named after the tool they often used.
The second is derived from the Old Dutch term for ‘hammer-bearer’, and suggests somebody with a high social status or farming background.
The third meaning comes from the compound word of ‘haam/heem’ which is associated with a local place-name, indicating someone who originated from a certain area.
Lastly, it may also be a name of habitation, given to someone who lived near a hamlet, a small village, or a homestead, and a variation of the Germanic words ‘meer’ (lake) and ‘hammer’ (hill).
In general, the common thread of the surname Hamers is the association with a tool or a geographic area. It suggests a practical person with a connection to a certain region or trade.
Order DNA origin analysisHamers: Where does the name Hamers come from?
The last name Hamers is relatively common across much of Western and Northern Europe, with the largest concentration of the name found in the Netherlands. It's thought to have originated in the Early Middle Ages, with the name deriving from the Dutch word "hamerslager". In modern times, Hamers can still be found in the Netherlands, where it is among the forty most common surname in the country. It is also seen in neighboring Germany, Belgium, and France, as well as the United Kingdom and Scandinavia.
In addition to Europe, the Hamers name can be found in the United States, where its presence has been established since the colonial era. According to the US Census in 2020, around 4,500 individuals with this name reside in the US today. Interestingly, many of these people can trace their roots to Pennsylvania and the surrounding mid-Atlantic states, where Prussian and German settlers migrated to during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The name Hamers is also present in Australia, Canada, Brazil, and a few other countries in South America. In each of these countries, the name is associated with German heritage and is a reminder of the European immigrants, who left their homes to seek out new opportunities in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Hamers
The surname Hamers is an ancient name that originated in Europe. It is derived from the Germanic personal name “Hammir”, which was a diminutive of the popular name “Hamar”. The name Hamers was first found in the region of Bavaria, Germany.
Variants of the surname Hamers have included Hamar, Hempster, Hamra, Hamaur, Hempstor, Hemer, Hamer, Hemsters, Hamza, Hemers, Hampsher, Hamerich, Himeres, Homers, Himmer, Hommer, and Homoer, among others. Other spellings of the surname Hamers include Hammers, Hammerschmidt, Hammerstien, Hammerstein, Hammerstroh, Hammerle, Hummer, Hobmers, Hummers, Humberer, Honors, and Honerstorfer.
Many of these surnames are concentrated in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Hungary. It is also found in other countries, such as the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and England.
The surname Hamers is a patronymic surname, meaning that it was derived from the personal name of the father of the original bearer. It is also known as a metronymic surname, meaning that it was derived from the name of the mother. As such, some variants of the surname Hamers include Hemmerson, Himfesson, and Hamelton, meaning “son of Hamel” or “daughter of Hamel”.
In some cases, the surname Hamers has been Anglicized from the original Germanic surname. Variants include Hammond, Hammon, Hambone, Hamby, Hamon, and Hemon.
Famous people with the name Hamers
- Marijn Hamers: A former Dutch footballer who played for many different professional teams and was coach of the Dutch U-17 national team in 2004.
- Bob Hamers: An American former professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour from 1972 to 1975.
- Ariaana Grande-Hamers: The daughter of popular singer and American Idol judge Ariana Grande
- Dave Hamers: An American football player who has won several awards, including Super Bowl MVP and Pro Bowler
- Wendy Hamers: A Dutch singer and composer, known for her songwriting and melodic jazz-pop style
- Robert Hamers: A British professor of chemistry at the University of Manchester and the founding director of the Institute of Chemical Sciences.
- Charles Hamers: A former Dutch-American air force officer who also served as a test pilot for the United States Air Force and the Northrop Corporation.
- Hanneke Hamers: A Dutch politician who has served in the municipal council of Hilversum and the House of Representatives since 2007.
- Jelle Hamers: A former Dutch diplomat who has served as Ambassador of the Netherlands to Israel, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon.
- Dick Hamers: A Dutch illustrator and cartoonist who was awarded the Dutch Grand Prix Award for his work in 2002.