Surname Mainor - Meaning and Origin
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Mainor: What does the surname Mainor mean?
The last name Mainor is most commonly associated with British and Norse ancestry. It is derived from the Old English words "main" or "megen," both meaning strength or power, and "heri" or "here," which mean army. Translated, Mainor could mean "strong army" or "powerful in the army," indicating that the initial bearers might have been either leaders or valiant warriors within an army. Like many surnames, Mainor is believed to have originated as a nickname or descriptor that eventually turned into a family name. It's important to note that surnames can carry different meanings based on geographical origin and evolutions in language, so the meaning of Mainor may vary. Please consult a genealogical expert or conduct personalized research to determine the specific origins and meaning for your family name.
Order DNA origin analysisMainor: Where does the name Mainor come from?
The last name Mainor is of English origin. It is derived from the medieval given name "Maine" and the addition of the suffix "-or", which denotes "son of". This makes it a patronymic surname. It was first found in Cheshire, a county in Northwestern England.
The surname Mainor seems to have spread through the British Isles and also to the New World with British colonization. Today, this surname is not very common and individuals bearing it can be found dispersed globally, with notable concentrations in the United States and the United Kingdom. The Mainor surname is most frequently held in The United States, where it is carried by around 1,692 people, or 1 in every 213,273. In The United States Mainor is most common in: Georgia, where 26 percent reside, Florida, where 13 percent reside and North Carolina, where 9 percent reside. It is also the 730,187th most commonly occurring first name internationally. It is held by 273 people. It is most prevalent in The United States, where it is carried by all but one, with 273 occurring in The United States.
Variations of the surname Mainor
The surname Mainor has different variants and spellings, including Maynor, Mayner, Mainar, Manior, Maner, Manar, Minner, Meinor, Maenor, and Meiner. Each variation may have altered slightly over time due to geographic location, regional dialects, and cultural assimilation.
Its origin is primarily English (especially prevalent in Nottinghamshire), German, and possibly even Catalan (Mainar). Surnames often evolved as a way to sort people into groups by their occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, and even physical characteristics.
For instance, "Mainor" might've been derived from "Main", a term for strength or force, with a suffix "-or" indicating a person of a certain profession or character. Alternatively, it could've stemmed from locations like "Maine" with "-or" denoting someone from that area.
In German, the surname "Meiner" or "Meinner" may have been anglicized to "Mainor" over generations.
However, it's important to note that exact origins can be hard to pinpoint due to historical inconsistencies in recording, spelling variations, and language evolution. For comprehensive genealogical research, consider tracing specific family histories, immigration records, and spelling variations across time.
Famous people with the name Mainor
- Eugenio María de Hostos Mainor, Puerto Rican politician and doctor
- James Mainor, American athlete
- Mark Mainor, American comedian
- Starlette Mainor, American writer and producer
- Jason Mainor, American mixed martial artist
- Sheryl Mainor, American singer-songwriter
- John Mainor, American actor
- Joseph Mainor, American military veteran
- Kyle Mainor, film director and producer
- Richard Mainor, American musician, songwriter, and producer