Surname Maisterl - Meaning and Origin

Maisterl: What does the surname Maisterl mean?

The last name Maisterl is of German origin and is derived from the profession of ‘Magister’, which means ‘master’ or ‘teacher’. In the Middle Ages the term 'Magister' was used as an academic title to indicate someone who was qualified to teach a certain subject.

The name was recorded in medieval German forms such as ‘Magister’, ‘Meister’, ‘Meisterl’, ‘Mayster’, ‘Maister’, ‘Maisterl’. Later the name developed further and variants such as Maisterla, Maisteire, Mystler, Maistel, Maisterly and Maisteller, as well as various other orthographic spellings, appeared.

In the 1600s and 1700s the name was mainly found in Germany, Central Europe and the Low Countries, especially in the garrison towns of Prussian Pomerania. During this period, it was not uncommon for soldiers to adopt the last name of their masters, so it is likely that during this era the name spread across Europe’s military outposts and was subsequently adopted by the local population.

In modern times, the name is most commonly found in Germany and the United States, where it likely arrived as part of German immigration during the 19th and 20th centuries. It still carries its original meaning of 'teacher' or 'master', and often a person with this last name is honoured as a respected figure.

Maisterl: Where does the name Maisterl come from?

The Maisterl surname is likely of western European origin. It is not among the top 1000 surnames, but can be found in records in several countries.

According to surname distribution data, the most common locations to find people with the Maisterl surname today are Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic. One source indicates there may also be families with this name living in France, the United States, and other countries.

In Austria, the earliest record dates back to 1611 in the village of Schattendorf in Styria. Records from 1702 suggest the family lived in an area of the Czech Republic known as Silesia. Records from 1725 indicate Maisterl’s were located in another area of the Czech Republic called Kovářská.

In Germany, records date back to the 18th century in multiple cities such as Stuttgart, Regensburg, Erfurt, Berlin, and Frankfurt. Because of online German records, the Maisterl name is traceable there through multiple generations.

In France, Maisterl families can be found in records from the early 1700s. There is also mention of an Italian family with the surname Maisterl from the 1500s, though it is unclear whether they are related to the German and Austrian families.

By far the largest population of people with the surname live in the Czech Republic and Germany. Today, the Maisterl name is less common than it was in earlier centuries, but there are still descendants of the original German and Austrian families living in multiple countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Maisterl

The surname Maisterl has several variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some common variants include Maistel, Maistl, Mastl, Maister, Maisterle, Maistrell, Maistrerl, Maistre, Maestre, Maisterer, and Meastre.

The spellings of the surname Maisterl could also be Maisterl, Maisterle, Maistrl, Maisterll, Maisterell, Maisterall, Maistellar, Maisteraller, and Maisteroller.

Another way that the surname Maisterl is spelled is Maistrel, Maisterrel, Maisterrell, Maistrell, Maisterel, Meistrel, Maistere, Maisterlel, Meisterell, andMistrel.

The surnames of the same origin as Maisterl are Master, Masterson, Masters, Masterson, Masterson, Masterman, Mastrian, Masterman, Master, Mastrino, and Mastrilli.

Maisterl is typically a European or Germanic surname. It is possibly derived from the German word mester or meister, meaning master or an expert of craftsmanship. Some researchers suggest that the surname might be derived from the old German term meisterlinc, meaning a servant, indicating that the original bearer of the surname was a servant or was otherwise associated with service.

Famous people with the name Maisterl

• David Maisterl: Slovenian mathematician and philosopher
• Irka Maisterl: Painter, Sculptor, and city counselor in Ljubljana
• Jernej Maisterl: Slovenian scientist
• Marko Maisterl: Slovenian photographer and graphic designer
• Andrej Maisterl: Slovenian graphic artist and web designer
• Mateja Maisterl: Slovenian jewelry designer
• Matevž Maisterl: Slovenian car race driver
• Mojca Maisterl: Slovenian jewelry designer
• Alenka Maisterl: Slovenian costume designer
• Helena Maisterl: Hungarian actress and singer

Other surnames

Maister