Surname Landamer - Meaning and Origin

Landamer: What does the surname Landamer mean?

The last name Landamer is an anglicized variant of the German surname Landammer, which is derived from the former political office of a Landammann. A Landammann was an elected leader or magistrate responsible for enforcing laws, settling disputes, and responding to crisis situations in a medieval Swiss or German canton or government. Records of this name date back to as far as the 14th century in northern Germany, as well as Switzerland.

The root of the name Landammer is derived from the old-German words "land", meaning "country" or "region", and "ammer", meaning "steward" or "guardian". This would indicate that the bearer of the name formerly held some kind of governing office, or at least had familial ties to such a title. It is often associated with both nobility and wealth, as a Landammann would usually be a well-respected and important figure in the local community.

The successor to the title of Landammann is now found in the formal title of “Landamman-Bürgermeister”, an elected position found commonly in federal states such as Baden-Württemberg in Germany.

Today, the surname Landamer is still commonly found in various German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is unclear how far the origin of the surname has reached, as many people may have changed their surnames due to immigration, emigration, or even marriage.

Landamer: Where does the name Landamer come from?

The surname Landamer is most commonly found in Germany today. According to data from WorldNames StatisticsData, in 2014 there were 784 individuals recorded in Germany with the surname Landamer. The city of Bigge, North Rhine-Westphalia had the most individuals with the surname Landamer recorded with 98 people counted.

The majority of individuals with the surname Landamer appear to live in northern Germany, but especially in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. There were 65 individuals recorded in North Rhine-Westphalia and 43 individuals recorded in Lower Saxony in the 2014 WorldNames StatisticsData.

It appears as though the surname Landamer can also be found in other countries, but with far fewer numbers. For instance, in the United Kingdom there were only 6 individuals recorded in the 2014 WorldNames StatisticsData and in the United States there were only 15 individuals recorded. These individuals likely have ancestral roots in Germany and many of them may still maintain ties to family living in Germany.

Overall, it appears as though the surname Landamer is most commonly found in Germany today with the most individuals living in the northern region.

Variations of the surname Landamer

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Landamer include, but are not limited to; Landamore, Landamoor, Landamoor, Landamore, Landmair, Landmaer, and Landmeir.

Landamore was an English variant of the surname, and originated in West Continent Germany, where people with the name were known as 'Landsmüller.' The surname Landamore could have been derived from 'Landemer' or 'Landsmür', which both mean 'border person'.

In France, the name 'Landmaer' was derived from the Germanic compound word 'landmar' which translates to 'border' or 'edge of the sea'.

The Irish variant of Landamer is Landmair. This was derived from the Gaelic word 'londamair' which meant 'sea-borderer' or 'shore dweller'.

The German surname Landmeir is believed to have come from the parts 'land' and 'meer' which mean 'land' and 'sea' respectively, and could have been an occupational name for someone living in or near a coastal or border area.

In all countries, variant spellings such as Landmer, Landmar and Landmore can also be found. These variants can be linked back to the original form of the surname and it was often up to the registrar as to how the name was transcribed.

Famous people with the name Landamer

• Mark Landamer: Award–winning American film director and producer known for his work on films such as Armageddon and Little Giants.
• Mark Lander: American chef who is executive chef in several high-end restaurants
• Lawrence Landamer: Author and civil rights activist from Minnesota
• Jeff Landamer: American voice actor best known for his role as Skeeter in The Land Before Time franchise
• Frank Landamer Sr.: University of Idaho Head Coach in the 1940s
• Dean Landamer: American football coach from Texas
• Elisa Landamer: Spanish actress who is best known for her roles on television series such as La que se avecina
• Erich Landamer: Austrian painter known for his landscapes, portraits and still lifes
• Jordan Landamer: Lead singer and producer of the alternative rock band Jezebel Breeze
• Robert Landamer: American musician and actor from Massachusetts, best known for his role in the film Liberal Arts and as the lead singer of the band We Boxed Clouds

Other surnames

Landamore