Detmer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The name Detmer is the German form of the Latin name Theudoricus, and it is composed of the Old German word "diot," which in Modern German is "volk" and means "people" or "race" and the Old German word "mar," which means "popular," "famous," or "big."

Early Origins of the Detmer family

The surname Detmer was first found in Regensburg, Bavaria, where the name emerged in mediaeval times as one of the notable families of the region. From the 13th century the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the nation.

Early History of the Detmer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Detmer research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1781 and 1789 are included under the topic Early Detmer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Detmer Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Detmer include Detmer, Dettmer, Dettmann (Hamburg, Mecklenburg), Tidemore, Detmar, Dedmer, Didmer and many more.

Early Notables of the Detmer family

Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Detmer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Detmer migration to the United States +

European migration to North America began in the mid-17th century and continued unabated until the mid-20th. Many Bavarians made the long trip to escape poverty or persecution based on their religious beliefs. The chance for tenant farmers to own their own land was also a major drawing card. They settled all across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many came to Canada also, settling in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Detmers to arrive in North America, and among them were:

Detmer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Hans Michel Detmer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1728 aboard the ship "Mortonhouse John Coultas" 1

Detmer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Miss Carolina Detmer, (Dettmer), aged 18, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Hercules"
Miss Conradina Detmer, (Dettmer), aged 20, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Hercules"

Contemporary Notables of the name Detmer (post 1700) +

Ty Hubert Detmer (b. 1967), American former college and professional football player, inducted into he College Football Hall of Fame
Julian Francis Detmer (1865-1958), American business man and founder of Detmer Woolen Company in 1885 in New York City
Don E. Detmer MD, MA, FACMI, FACS, American Professor Emeritus and Professor of Medical Education at the University of Virginia and Visiting Professor at CHIME, University College of London
Matthew Detmer (b. 1968), American actor, known for Michael Clayton (2007), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001) and Law & Order (1990)
Amanda Jeannette Detmer (b. 1971), American actress, known for Final Destination (2000), You, Me and Dupree (2006) and Big Fat Liar (2002)
Koy Detmer (b. 1973), American professional football (NFL) player
Wilhelm Detmer (1850-1930), German botanist, plant physiologist and agriculturalist

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)