Surname Heckmayr - Meaning and Origin
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Heckmayr: What does the surname Heckmayr mean?
The last name Heckmayr is of German origin and is a derivative of the name Höckmayer. The earliest known recorded references to this surname occurred in Bavaria in the mid-18th century. The literal translation of Heckmayr is "hawk-keeper," making the surname seem derived from a particular trade or occupation of an ancestor. However, the original form of the name, Höckmayer, could also refer to the local family style of rooftops.
The name Höckmayer is thought to have been derived from the old German term “höck” (related to the modern German "hucke") meaning “ridge.” The additional suffix “mayer” is derived from the Germanic word “mohr” which translates as “guardian” or “collector.” Taken together, the name Heckmayr could refer to a literal worker who watched over hawks, or alternatively, could refer to someone who was a guardian on or around a rooftop edifice.
The surname has a strong presence in Germany, though is recorded in other countries, such as Ireland and the German-speaking countries of Appalachia. In the mid-twentieth century, the name Heckmayr was used more frequently in American naming conventions.
In conclusion, the last name Heckmayr translates from German as "hawk-keeper" or "rooftop guardian," likely deriving from the occupations of an ancestor in the 18th century. The surname was more common in Germany, though has a presence in other countries, and has been used more frequently in American naming conventions in the 20th century.
Order DNA origin analysisHeckmayr: Where does the name Heckmayr come from?
The last name Heckmayr is most commonly found today in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. It is a relatively rare and uncommon name, however, and likely has multiple origin stories.
In some instances, the surname is derived from the Germanic root "hecke," meaning "fence" or "enclosure," and its variants, including Hackmayr, Hackmeir and Heckmeyer. In this case, the surname would have started as a habitational name, referring to an area enclosed by a fence or walls.
In other instances, the Heckmayr substring is derived from the Germanic names Hacko or Haco. It is also theorized that Heckmayr may have evolved from a prefix meaning "kind of," and that variants such as Heymayr, Hekmair and Hekman evolved from Heckmayr.
Over time, the Heckmayr surname has spread to other countries, such as the UK and the US, though it remains rare. In the United States, it is most common in New York and the Rust Belt remnants of Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois.
For those with the Heckmayr surname, their family histories likely trace back to Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Furthermore, depending on the origin of their surname, they may also have a connection to a specific area, or a particular fence, thence back to the etymological root.
Variations of the surname Heckmayr
The surname Heckmayr has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Heckmaier, Heckmeir, Heckemaier, Heckemayer, Heckmayer, Heckmyer, Heckmeyer, Heckmeyr, Heckemeyer, Heckmeier,and Heckmeir.
Heckmayr is a Germanic name which is derived from the Middle High German words ‘hag’ and ‘maier’ and literally translates as ‘wooded area’s tenant or courtier’. The name is believed to have originated in Saxony, Germany.
Heckmaier is the more commonly found form of this surname in Germany, though the other spellings are still in use. This name is particularly popular in Bavaria, Germany, as well as Austria and Switzerland.
The name Mackmueller is believed to be a variant of the Heckmayr name and is mainly found in the South German area. This name is derived from the word ‘mack’ which means ‘maker’ or ‘one who makes’.
The surname Heckmeir is believed by some to derive from the Middle High German ‘hach’ and ‘mêrre’ which are combined to form a name meaning ‘bringer of property’ or ‘middleman’.
It is also believed that this surname may have come from different origins such as the Middle English personal name ‘Heac’, which was a combination of the words ‘hed’ and ‘heah’, meaning ‘high’ or ‘prominent’; or the Middle Dutch personal name ‘Hekke’ meaning ‘fence’.
In summary, there are several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Heckmayr, including Heckmaier, Heckmeir, Heckemaier, Heckemayer, Heckmayer, Heckmyer, Heckmeyer, Heckmeyr, Heckemeyer, Heckmeier, and Heckmeir, as well as Mackmueller and Heckemeir.
Famous people with the name Heckmayr
- Marcus Heckmayr: German figure skater, and three-time German national champion. and competed in the 2014 Winter Olympics.
- Maria Heckmayr: Austrian alpine skier who competed at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics in the giant slalom.
- Thomas Heckmayr: Austrian slalom canoeist who has competed since the late 1990s. He won a bronze medal at the 2009 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in La Seu d'Urgell.
- Gudrun Heckmayr: Austrian female alpine skier who was an Olympic participant at the 1998 Winter Olympics in the slalom race.
- Oskar Heckmayr: Austrian slalom canoeist who competed in the late 1990s. He won a bronze medal at the 1999 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in La Seu d'Urgell.
- Johannes Heckmayr: Austrian snowboarder who represented Austria at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville.
- Bernhard Heckmayr: Austrian slalom canoeist who competed from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. He won a bronze medal at the 1997 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Augsburg.
- Andreas Heckmayr: German boxer who was German junior middleweight champion in 1925.
- Lisa Heckmayr: Austrian alpine skier who competed in the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics in the slalom and giant slalom races.
- Erwin Heckmayr: Austrian alpine skier who competed in the 1990 and 1992 Winter Olympics. His best finish was 25th in the slalom at Albertville in 1992.