Surname Tafelmaier - Meaning and Origin

Tafelmaier: What does the surname Tafelmaier mean?

The last name Tafelmaier is a German surname derived from the words 'Tafel' meaning “table” and “meier” which indicates a tenant farmer. The name likely evolved to reflect an individual’s occupation, with the full name Tafelmeier meaning a tenant farmer who built tables.

The most reasonable explanation for the surname is that it was simply an occupational name referring to someone who worked as a tenant farmer who made tables or furniture. This was a common vocation during the Middle Ages as many tenant farmers needed to supplement their meager incomes with additional trades, and furniture was a common trade during this era.

In modern times, the surname Tafelmaier is not especially common. While the name continues to be found in parts of Germany, it is less common in other countries. In fact, it is still a relatively rare surname in Germany, with the name typically used by only a handful of families.

In conclusion, the last name Tafelmaier is a German occupational surname originally referring to a tenant farmer who made tables or furniture. It is still a relatively uncommon surname, with the majority of individuals holding the name residing in Germany.

Tafelmaier: Where does the name Tafelmaier come from?

The last name Tafelmaier is of German or Austrian origin, and is found mainly in the German-speaking countries of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It is also present in other parts of the world with German-speaking populations, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

In Germany, most occurrences of the name are clustered in the areas around Bavaria, Franconia, and Württemberg. Other German-speaking countries in which the surname Tafelmaier is commonly found include Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

In the United States, the largest concentrations of Tafelmaiers are found in the states of New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. The name is also a popular one among those of German ancestry who migrated to the United States during the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.

In Canada, the majority of Tafelmaiers are concentrated in the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, though others may be scattered throughout the country. In Australia, the name is found in most states, but the largest populations are found in New South Wales and Victoria.

In New Zealand, Tafelmaiers comprise a small but significant minority, particularly in the cities of Auckland, Christchurch, and Hamilton. The surname is relatively rare in other parts of the world outside the German-speaking countries and their colonies, though it may be encountered in other parts of Europe and North America.

Variations of the surname Tafelmaier

The surname Tafelmaier is German in origin and literally translates as “table maker”. Various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin exist. These include variations in the spelling of “Tafelmaier” itself, such as Taffelemaier, Tafielemaier, and Taefelmaier. Variants of the word “maker” have yielded different surnames, such as Taffelmayer, Tiffelmayer, and Tiefelmayer. Finally, surnames of similar pronunciation include Teffelmeier, Teoppelmeier, and Teeffelmeier. It is possible that some of these surnames have alternative spellings, or have altered due to migration over time.

The surname “Tafelmaier” likely originated as an occupational name given to individuals who made or sold tables. It is possible that the use of the surname was extended to other occupations related to the furniture manufacturing industry. For example, “Tafelmaier” could be adopted as the surname of individuals in the trade of upholstering. This could explain the variations in the spelling of the surname.

Most variations of the surname can be found in Europe, particularly in Germany and its surrounding countries. Many people with the surname have moved to the United States, mainly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The surname is also seen in other countries, including Canada, Argentina, and Australia.

Overall, the surname Tafelmaier has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It likely originated as an occupational name and has since spread across Europe and beyond.

Famous people with the name Tafelmaier

• Klaus Tafelmaier: German architect and urban planner who headed up the 'Frankfurt 21' project for the rebuilding of Frankfurt’s old town.
• Anne Tafelmaier: German philosopher and expert on the thought of Immanuel Kant and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.
• Dr. Francis Teunis Tafelmaier: Dutch diplomat and international law scholar, formerly Assistant Secretary General, Legal Counselor at the United Nations.
• Wolfgang Tafelmaier: Austrian sculptor, known for his large bronze created mainly for public places in Europe.
• David Tafelmaier: Czech composer of classical music, known for his series of ‘Memory of City’ compositions for solo violin.
• Luigi Tafelmaier: Italian doctor, lawyer and university professor. He was the author of a seminal work on the European regulation of carcinogenic products and substances.
• Bodo Tafelmaier: German physicist and professor, known for a series of books on the history of physics from the eighteenth century onwards.
• Marie-Célie Tafelmaier: French artist and installationist, chatting works of sculpture and photography that explore the natural and urban environment of Britain and Europe.
• Dr. Paul Tafelmaier: German medical doctor and researcher, credited with helping to develop the concepts of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for medical diagnosis and drug delivery.
• Johannes Tafelmaier: Austrian actor, best known for his iconic role as Cleon in the hit movie ‘300: Rise of an Empire’.

Other surnames

TafelmairTafelmayer