Surname Meers - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Meers: What does the surname Meers mean?
The surname Meers is of English origin. It is a topographic name for someone who lived by a lake or a pond, derived from the Old English term "mere", meaning lake or pond. In Middle English, this term became "meres". The surname may also stem from any of the several places, notably in Cheshire, Lincolnshire, and Shropshire, named with this word. Meers could further be an occupational name for someone employed as a gatekeeper or steward, from an agent derivative of Middle English "meer" meaning a boundary or limit. This likely refers to someone who was responsible for maintaining boundaries and property lines. The first recorded spelling of this family name is believed to be that of John del Meres, from Norfolk, England, dated around 1200 AD. However, the surname has various forms over the centuries and across regions, including Mere, Meres, Myres, Mires and others. As with most surnames, different branches of the same family may adopt different spellings over time and through migration.
Order DNA origin analysisMeers: Where does the name Meers come from?
The surname Meers is of Anglo-Saxon origin, originating in the United Kingdom. It is derived from the Middle English word "mere," which translates to "lake" or "pond." So, the name could have been used to identify someone who lived near a body of water, specifically a lake or pond.
Historically, Meers was a common name in England. Today, it is spread out across English-speaking countries. While it remains a relatively rare surname, you can find individuals with the name Meers in places like the United States, Canada, Australia, and England. According to Forebears, a genealogical research website, the surname Meers is most prevalent in the United States, followed by England, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Meers
The surname Meers has various alternative spellings and certain surnatural derivations that primarily stem from its geographical and occupational roots in Europe. The variations range from straightforward adjustments such as Mears, Meares, and Meer, to surnames that have absorbed different linguistic nuances over time such as Myers, Meyers, and Miers.
It also includes translations of 'sea' or 'lake' in other languages, as Meers possibly originates from the Middle English or Dutch word for 'sea' (mer) or 'lake' (meer). Hence, Meer, De Meer, Vandermeer, and Van Der Meer are Dutch variants, while Mer, Des Mer, and Lamar are French alternatives.
Furthermore, the surname Meers keyjngs into the labor of a person who worked at or maintained a lake, pond or an area of marshy ground (from the Middle English 'mere'). Thus, occupational variants include Marshall and Marsh in English, or Marais and Dupond in French.
However, it should be noted that not everyone with these surnames holds immediate blood relations. While some might tie back to a common ancestor, others could have simply emerged independently due to similar conditions of geography, occupation, or language.
Famous people with the name Meers
- Mo Meers: Writer/Director, whose debut feature film was well received by the Toronto International Film Festival
- Jo Meers: English model, actress and advocate for body diversity
- Reiland Meers: Saudi Arabian-born British businessman and entrepreneur
- Chet Meers: American professional poker player
- Gary Meers: Australian former rugby league footballer
- Anne Oye Meers: Conductor, organist and harpist
- Dirk Meers: Belgian professional footballer
- Clea Meers: Canadian Paralympian
- Randy Meers: Radio personality who has been on the air for more than 40 years
- Lauran Meers: Contemporary American sculptor and visual artist.