Surname Meerwaldt - Meaning and Origin

Meerwaldt: What does the surname Meerwaldt mean?

The surname Meerwaldt is of German origin and was historically a descriptive nickname for a person who lived near or on a "Glome," which is an old German term for a marsh or a wetland. This surname is most commonly found in the Netherlands and Germany, but is also present in other countries such as the United States. The literal meaning of the surname is 'lake forest', which is very suitable for those who resided near marshy areas.

The name Meerwaldt has been present in Germany since the Middle Ages and was particularly common in the northern German states. During this time, Germany was much less unified than it is today, and surnames were used to demonstrate the family's political allegiances and the proximity to specific locations. It is also recorded that the Meerwaldt families held a higher societal status than the majority of people living in the rural areas.

Today, the Meerwaldt surname is still found in the Netherlands, Germany and a few other countries, but its popularity has declined since the time of its initial origin. Despite this, the name still holds the same meaning for those who currently have it, and is often a reminder of where their ancestors came from and the legacy they have left behind.

Meerwaldt: Where does the name Meerwaldt come from?

The last name Meerwaldt is not particularly common today and appears to be of Sub-Saharan African origin.

Studies reveal that it is most likely derived from two separate words: 'meer' and 'waldt'. 'Meer' is a Dutch and Low German term meaning 'lake' or 'sea', while 'waldt' is a Dutch term meaning 'forest'. Together, the two create a literal meaning of 'sea forest'.

Due to its uncommon nature, there is not a great deal of information and data available on the current prevalence of the Meerwaldt surname. However, records indicate that its greatest concentration is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. Here, it is most common in the provinces of Kinshasa and Nord-Kivu, both of which boast the highest population numbers in the country.

In addition to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the name has also been reported in smaller numbers in Namibia, Angola, Niger, Senegal, and a select handful of other countries. Some scattered records also indicate that there may be a few living descendants of the Meerwaldt surname spread across several countries in Europe, Australia, and North America.

Altogether, the Meerwaldt surname is relatively rare worldwide, and its primary concentration appears to be in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Variations of the surname Meerwaldt

Meerwaldt is a German surname derived from the combination of "Meer" meaning "ocean" and "waldt" meaning "forest". The variants, spellings and surnames related to this name include the following:

Meyerwaldt/Meyer: This is the most common variant and derived from the German name for "meadow," or "Madow." This variant is also spelled Meyerwald and Meyervald.

Meyerwalde/Meyervalde: This is a rare variant, derived from the German name for "meadow," or "Madow." It is sometimes spelled Meyerwold or Mayerwald.

Meyerfeldt: This is a rare variant, derived from the German name for "meadow" and "field."

Meyerfledt: This is another rare variant, derived from the German name for "meadow" and "field."

Mayrwaldt/Mayr: This variant is derived from the German name for "from the hill," or the word "meerwalt." This variant is also occasionally spelled Mayrwald.

Mayerwalter: This variant is derived from the German name for "from the meadow" and "walter," meaning "ruler."

Mairewald/Mairet: This variant is derived from the German name for "from the border or borderland," or the words "merwald" and "märe." This variant is also occasionally spelled Mairwald.

Marwaldt/Marwalt: This variant is derived from the German name for "famous ruler or leader," or the words "meerwald" and "mar." This variant is also occasionally spelled Marwald.

Merwaldte/Merwalt: This variant is derived from the German name for "sea woods," which is the word "meerwald." This variant is also occasionally spelled Merwalte, Merwalette, Merwaltz or Merwaldt.

Meerwalden/Meervalden: This variant is derived from the German name for "sea woods," or the words "meerwald" and "walden."

These are the main variants, spellings and surnames related to the original surname of Meerwaldt.

Famous people with the name Meerwaldt

• Ludo Meerwaldt: Dutch psychologist, professor, and author of several books.
• Nico Meerwaldt: Dutch footballer who currently plays for Willem II in the Eredivisie.
• Pieter Meerwaldt: Dutch politician of the centrist party, the Socialist Party.
• Corné Meerwaldt: Dutch composer and musician who has written a number of symphonies and concertos.
• Marten Meerwaldt: Dutch painter. He is known for his abstract style.
• Bart Meerwaldt: Dutch sculptor, best known for his public works of art.
• Paul Meerwaldt: Dutch photographer, whose work has been featured in numerous publications.
• Jan Meerwaldt: Dutch poet and actor, who has released multiple volumes of poetry over the years.
• Edward Meerwaldt: Dutch political scientist, lecturer and writer.
• Johannes Meerwaldt: Dutch television and film director, best known for his work on the popular soap opera Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden.

Other surnames

Meerwald