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Just today somebody ask me about the origin of this name. I would be very happy to know more about.
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I think that, like Fodermayer, it could be a variant of Vordermayer. This occupational surname means: The owner or steward of the foremost (i.e. first in a row) 'Mayerhof' (Mayer's farm).
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In Germany the surname FALTERMEIER still exists but is rather local. About 700 on german directories. Not many if you consider the whole population of Germany.
I didn't find Faltermeier on the dictionary of german surnames I have.
It could be, I just try to guess, a surname coming from a name of a place. A farm called "Falter". Meier is quite common in Germany.
I didn't find Faltermeier on the dictionary of german surnames I have.
It could be, I just try to guess, a surname coming from a name of a place. A farm called "Falter". Meier is quite common in Germany.
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Yes, the 'Falter' part confused me ... though can anyone confirm as the leap from Foder/Vorder to Falter seems a little large?
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On a German site the names Falter and Faltermaier are traced back to Falltor, though it only calls it 'an attempt to explain'. It's on www.toni-benz.de/namefaltermaier.html
Falltor means: a gate (Tor) that closes ('drops down') vertically, a sluice, floodgate etc.
Looks like a pretty good attempt to me...
Falltor means: a gate (Tor) that closes ('drops down') vertically, a sluice, floodgate etc.
Looks like a pretty good attempt to me...
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Falter, according to a German-English translation site means "butterfly", but moths are 'nachtfalter' (night-fly?) so I suspect 'falter' really means to "fly".
The 'meier' part ...
Definition: From the Middle High German word "meiger," meaning "higher or superior," often used for stewards of landholders or great farmers or leaseholders - today a Meier is a dairy farmer. Meier and Meyer are used more often in Northern Germany, while Maier and Mayer are found more frequently in Southern Germany.
Alternate Surname Spellings: MEIER, MAYER, MAIER, MIER, MEIR
So, I'd guess that Faltermeier is either someone who "flys high" or maybe someone who owned land that was either physically high or held in high regard.
Just guessing ...anyone else?
The 'meier' part ...
Definition: From the Middle High German word "meiger," meaning "higher or superior," often used for stewards of landholders or great farmers or leaseholders - today a Meier is a dairy farmer. Meier and Meyer are used more often in Northern Germany, while Maier and Mayer are found more frequently in Southern Germany.
Alternate Surname Spellings: MEIER, MAYER, MAIER, MIER, MEIR
So, I'd guess that Faltermeier is either someone who "flys high" or maybe someone who owned land that was either physically high or held in high regard.
Just guessing ...anyone else?
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