Biesemeier last name popularity, history, and meaning

Find out how popular the last name Biesemeier is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Biesemeier.

Meaning of Biesemeier

A German surname derived from a place name or an occupational term related to beekeeping.

Biesemeier, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Biesemeier surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Biesemeier in America

Biesemeier is the 143847th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Biesemeier surname appeared 106 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Biesemeier.

The history of the last name Biesemeier

The surname Biesemeier has its origins in Germany, specifically from the Germanic-speaking regions during the medieval period. The name likely emerged around the 13th or 14th centuries in areas such as Lower Saxony or Westphalia. Germany's fragmented political landscape at the time led to the development of many localized surnames, often reflective of individual ancestry or occupations.

The surname Biesemeier is likely a compound of two elements derived from Middle High German: "Biese" or "Wiese" referring to a meadow or grassland, and "Meier," which is a title given to a steward, bailiff, or farm manager. The combination suggests that the original bearers of the name were possibly land stewards or people involved in managing and overseeing agricultural land.

Historical references to the surname appear in various German records and manuscripts. In 1372, a Hans Biesemeyer is documented in municipal records of Hanover, indicating the name's use in significant urban areas. By the 15th century, the name is found in legal documents and land transactions, underscoring the connection to land and agriculture.

One of the earliest recorded examples is from 1415 when Konrad Biesemeier, a known land steward, appeared in records discussing the allocation of farm plots around the Teutoburg Forest. These ancient manuscripts denote social and economic responsibilities tied to the name in medieval German society.

In 1534, a Lutheran minister named Jakob Biesemeier was noted for his role in the Protestant Reformation within the region of Lower Saxony. His contributions to the religious movement made him a notable figure in ecclesiastical records of the time. Similarly, in the 17th century, Maria Biesemeier, born in 1620, became recognized for her notable work in herbal medicine and healing practices.

The name continued to appear across various parts of Germany. By the 18th century, Matthias Biesemeier, born in 1705, was a prominent figure who served as a local judge in Westphalia, his rulings and judgments frequently documented in regional legal texts. Another notable individual is Wilhelm Biesemeier, an 18th-century cartographer whose maps of rural North Rhine were widely used.

The surname eventually spread beyond Germany's borders. In the early 19th century, Johann Biesemeier, born in 1797, emigrated to America, settling in Illinois and becoming a known community leader involved in local politics and the establishment of educational institutions.

Throughout history, the surname Biesemeier has been associated with individuals tied to land stewardship, agriculture, religious reform, and local governance, reflecting a legacy of social responsibility and community involvement. The varied appearances in historical records underscore the geographical spread and influence of this surname over several centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Biesemeier

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Biesemeier.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

  1. White only
  2. Black only
  3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
  4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
  5. Hispanic
  6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Biesemeier was:

Race/EthnicityPercentageTotal Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only87.74%93
Non-Hispanic Black Only(S)%(S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only0.00%0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native7.55%8
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races(S)%(S)
Hispanic Origin(S)%(S)

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Biesemeier was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Biesemeier, please contact us.

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