Surname Maior - Meaning and Origin

Maior: What does the surname Maior mean?

The last name Maior is of Italian origin. It is a patronymic name derived from the personal name "maior," which means "greater," and is likely to have origins from an early ancestor who was considered to be great or superior. The name is quite rare in Italy today and the people who carry it are usually descended from the original bearer of the family name.

The name Maior is found in other parts of the world, particularly in South America, although the connection of these families to the original bearer of the Italian name is usually not known.

The literal meaning of maior is "elevated," and “greater” and it expresses a sense of strength and endurance. It reminds its bearers of the importance of staying strong in their convictions, of being willing to take a stand on matters, and of leading by example. It also has a sense of pride in long-standing roots and a reminder to stay close to ancestral values.

People with the last name Maior have a strong sense of self-confidence, and their name makes them feel proud and remind them to strive for greatness and success in their life. The name also expresses the pride and nobility of ancestry.

Maior: Where does the name Maior come from?

The last name Maior is most commonly found in Southern Europe, particularly in Italy, Portugal, and Spain. The name is most widely found in Italy, where more than 20,000 citizens bear the name, followed by around 10,000 in Portugal. Maior is especially common in the region of Sicily and other parts of Southern Italy, where it roughly translates to "greater." The surname is thought to have originated as a nickname for someone who was seen as particularly influential or important in a particular area—someone who was greater than others.

The name is also popular in the Americas, particularly in the United States, among those descended from Italian or Portuguese immigrants. The first members of the Maior family to migrate to the US arrived in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and the name is now found in all parts of the country. In the US, it is especially popular in the states of California, Florida, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New York.

The surname Maior can be found in other parts of the world as well, especially among Portuguese and Brazilian expatriates living in the Middle East, Africa, Australia, and Asia. While these pockets of people are relatively small, the surname can be found in all parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Maior

The surname Maior has multiple different spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. Spellings include Mayore, Mayor, Majore, Mejor, Magor, Majeur, Mayeur, Major, Mayar, and Maiior. Variants of Maior include Majer, Meyer, Mayer, Marek, Maestro, Majors, Mager, Moores, Maško, Maenter, Maire, and Maes.

Surnames with the same origin as Maior include Meyer, Maier, Meier, Mayer, Mayr, Mair, Mayers, Mayor, Majer, Meyers, Myer, Mier, Mehr, Meierhofer, Mairhofer, Meyerhofer, Maierhofer, Mayrhofer, Meiring, Meierkord, Meierling, and Mayr-Melnhof.

The spelling variations for Maior are all derived from "Major," a Latin word meaning "higher rank or greater importance." The origin of the surname dates back to the time of the Norman invasion of England in 1066, when it was used as a title or rank in the English military. With the spread of French, German, and Italian influence throughout Europe, the spelling of the name gradually changed from Major to the various spellings we see today.

Variants of the surname Maior are found throughout Europe, particularly in England and Germany, and most likely derive from the Frankish name "Meier," which is common in both regions. The surnames Maier, Mayer, and Meyer are particularly common in Germany, where they are derived from the profession of farming; Maier is derived from the word for farmer, and Mayer and Meyer are derivatives of a cognate word for the same.

In conclusion, the Maior surname has evolved into many different spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. This evolution was due largely to the spread of French, German, and Italian influence throughout Europe, combined with the Norman invasion of England, all of which carved a unique path of pronunciations and spellings.

Famous people with the name Maior

• Cristian Maior: Romanian diplomat and historian
• Emilian Maior: Romanian politician and journalist
• Alexandru Maior: Romanian professor and politician
• Gheorghe Maior: Romanian intelligence officer
• Gheorghe Maior: Romanian engineer and inventor
• Radu Maior: Romanian diplomat and international affairs specialist
• Claudiu Maior: Romanian football player
• Fane Maior: Romanian scientist and astronomer
• Gheorghe Maior: Romanian writer and poet
• Ion Maior: Romanian painter and traditionalist
• Mihai Maior: Romanian meteorologist
• Nicolae Maior: Romanian general
• Hortensia Maior: Romanian actress
• Maria Maior: Romanian opera singer
• Gheorghita Maior: Romanian actor
• Adela Maior: Romanian restaurateur
• Bănel Maior: Romanian politician
• Dragoş Maior: Romanian politician

Other surnames

Maio