Surname Neumetzger - Meaning and Origin
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Neumetzger: What does the surname Neumetzger mean?
Neumetzger is an occupational German surname derived from the Middle High German word “Niewmetze” which means “new Miller.” The surname originated from someone who was a new Miller, likely on a previously uncultivated piece of land or in a new area. It can also be a toponymic name, referring to someone from Neumetz in the Haute Marne department of France.
Typical German surnames convey certain meanings, often relating to a profession or area of origin. The Neumetzger surname most likely points to a profession at some point in the family history. It is likely that someone in the family moved to or from Neumetz, France, to begin the tradition of this surname.
Most of the Neumetzger families today are descendants of those who moved from Germany to the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Because of this, many Neumetzger descendants are found in the Midwest and Northeast United States.
Neumetzger is a rare surname. It is estimated that just over 2,000 people still bear this name. Despite its rarity, many Neumetzger families have managed to preserve their family history. While some may no longer have ties to Germany or their profession of Miller, they continue to be proud of their ancestral roots and their long-standing family name.
Order DNA origin analysisNeumetzger: Where does the name Neumetzger come from?
The last name Neumetzger is not particularly common today. It appears to be largely concentrated in Germany, although a few families spell it as Neumetzer.
In Germany, the name is most prevalent in the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Bavarian Rheinland-Palatinate, according to statistics available on familysearch.org. It is also found in small numbers in Austria and Switzerland.
In the United States, it is much less common, although there are records of several related families who emigrated from Germany to North America during the 19th and 20th centuries. The 1880 U.S. Census lists several Neumetzger families living in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, and California.
According to the Social Security Death Index, Neumetzger is the 37,618th most common surname in the United States. This suggests a relatively small number of families living in America with this name today.
In summary, the last name Neumetzger is predominantly found in Germany, and to a lesser extent in Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. Although the number of Neumetzger families in the US is very small today, it appears to have been more common in the past.
Variations of the surname Neumetzger
The surname Neumetzger is an occupational surname of German origin, deriving from the Middle High German word “neümetzger,” meaning “the new slaughterman.” Over time, the surname developed into a variety of spellings and variants. Some of the more common variations are Neumetzer, Niemetsger, Neumetsger, Niemetzger, Neimetzer, Neumetzer, Neimetger, Niemetger, Neumetgher, Neemetsger, Neumetzger, and Neumetzer.
Surnames of similar origin could also include Neumeier, Neumair, Neumiller, Neumann, Neuendorf, Neuwirth, Neubauer, Neudorfer, and Neuer.
Given its Germanic roots, some might assume that the surname Neumetzger is of Jewish origin, but this is not necessarily the case. In fact, the word “Neumetzger” first appeared in the Middle Ages as an occupational name for those who slaughtered animals, generally in a Jewish context.
The surname Neumetzger is mainly found in Austria and Germany today, and it has spread beyond the borders of Europe as well. It is not uncommon to find individuals with the surname Neumetzger in Australia, the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world.
Given its long and varied history, the Neumetzger surname offers a rich glimpse into the evolution of surnames over time. It also offers a unique window into the lives of those who bore the name, from the nose-thumbing Middle Ages to modern times.
Famous people with the name Neumetzger
- Wulf Neumetzger (German musician)
- Arnold Neumetzger (Austrian composer)
- Annabelle Neumetzger (American singer/songwriter)
- Mark Neumetzger (American entrepreneur)
- Karl Neumetzger (Austrian theatre director)
- Joachim Neumetzger (German sculptor)
- Eduard Neumetzger (German photographer)
- Mathias Neumetzger (Austrian actor)
- Wilhelm Neumetzger (German skier)
- Otto Neumetzger (Austrian artist)
- Monika Neumetzger (German journalist)
- Oskar Neumetzger (Austrian author)
- Arthur Neumetzger (Austrian economist)
- Wolfram Neumetzger (German composer)
- Ewald Neumetzger (Austrian opera singer)
- Louise Neumetzger (American professor)