Stuehmeier

Recorded in a wide range of spellings including Steuhmeyer, Steuhmeyers, Steuhlmeyer, Stuehmeier, Stummer, Stummeyer, and possibly others, this is a German surname. It is of medieval origins, and appears to be occupational for a watchkeeper, one responsible for patrolling the streets during the hours of "quietness". The derivation is from the ancient word stumm meaning quiet, and meyer, a steward or similar official. In ancient times, indeed not until the 19th century in Europe, was there any form of disciplined civil police force, and in most countries 'The watch' undertook these duties, sometimes with minimal efficiency. The surname is an early recording in Germany, although at least two centuries later than any English surname, with Walther Stummer being recorded in the charters of Kippenheim, in the year 1419. Later examples taken from surviving church registers of the post medieval period include: Ambrosig Stummeyer of Gohfeld, Westfalen, on May 2nd 1652, and Ann Gertrud Steuhmeyer at the same place on May 6th 1655. A later example is that of Johann Freiderich Wilhelm Stuehmeier at Bergkirchen Evangelist church, Lippe, on November 9th 1788.