Surname Meester - Meaning and Origin

Meester: What does the surname Meester mean?

The last name Meester is of Dutch origin. It is derived from the word "maester," which was a professional title conferred upon individuals during the Middle Ages who had attained a certain level of knowledge. This title was most commonly associated with physicians, surgeons, teachers, and preachers. Originally, the title was a form of address to people with higher social positions and authority in a given area.

The modern use of the last name Meester is most likely derived from a nickname given to someone who possessed special knowledge or skills. For instance, someone who was a master of a craft, or highly skilled at some type of profession, might be referred to as a "Meester."

As a surname, the name generally indicated a person's ability to handle difficult tasks or be a specialist in some area. Many Dutch people used the name to denote someone with authority, as a point of pride. Today, the name is still common in the Netherlands and its variant form, "Meesters," is used in Germany.

The name Meester is associated with stateliness, professionalism, and authority. It is a noble name that bears a strong sense of history, and speaks to someone who is skilled and knowledgeable.

Meester: Where does the name Meester come from?

The last name Meester is a relatively uncommon last name today, but it is still found in parts of Europe, especially in The Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.

Meester is the Dutch form of the German last name Meister, which means “master” and was typically an occupational name for a master craftsman or a skilled workman. It also was a surname for those who worked as a steward of a lord or in religious orders. The surname has also been used as a title of nobility in France.

In The Netherlands, Meester is the 26th most common last name. It is not only found in the Netherlands itself but also in Belgium, where it is also a relatively common name. Within Germany, Meester is found mostly in the northern regions and specifically in the states of Nordrhein-Westfalen and Niedersachsen.

In the United States, the Meester surname is used by a handful of families. Most of these families likely had ancestors who emigrated from Germany or The Netherlands.

Overall, the name Meester is still seen in many parts of Europe today and it is slowly becoming more popular in the United States as well.

Variations of the surname Meester

Meester is a Dutch surname, originating in Holland. It is derived from a Dutch word that means “master,” or “teacher.”

The variants, spellings, and surnames of Meester include:

MEESTER: This is the original spelling of the surname.

MEESTERE: The double e spelling is a variant of Meester.

MEESTERS: This variant is also common.

MESTERS: This is a rarer spelling of Meester.

MEISTER: This is the German version of the original surname.

MISTER: This surname is derived from Meester and is often used in the English language.

MEYSTER: This variation is found mainly in the United States.

MAYSTER: This variant is used in different parts of the world.

MESTER: This is a rare spelling of the original surname.

MAESTER: This is a variant spelling of Meester found in England and the United Kingdom.

MEISTR: This name is derived from Meester and is mainly found in German-speaking countries.

MAISTERSE: This is a spelling mainly used in the Netherlands.

MEES: This version of Meester is used in Flanders, which is part of Belgium.

MEYER: This surname is a shortened version of Meester and is found all over the world.

MÖSTER: This is the most common spelling of Meester in Norway.

MASTERS: This is a variation of Meester found mainly in the United States.

Famous people with the name Meester

• Leighton Meester: American actress, singer-songwriter, and model known for her starring role as Blair Waldorf in the teen drama TV series Gossip Girl.
• Constance Meester: Netherlands Survivor contestant and reality TV star.
• Daenarys Meester: Canadian novelist and short story writer.
• Kees Meester: Dutch journalist and non-fiction author.
• Nicolette Meester: South African beauty queen and socialite.
• Dirk Meester: Dutch-American internet entrepreneur and software developer.
• Arie Meester: Dutch professional cyclist who won the Paris-Roubaix race in 1920.
• Suzanne Meester: Dutch racing cyclist who competed in two Summer Olympics in 1948 and 1952.
• Tosca Meester: Dutch painter and graphic artist.
• Maaike Meester: Dutch fashion designer and Pop Art artist.
• Robert Meester: American composer, pianist, organist, and harpsichordist.
• Lily Meester: American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.
• Roland Meester: Dutch professional football player who competes in the Netherlands National Football League.
• Phineas Meester: Belgian painter who worked in the Romantic period.
• Willem Meester: Dutch piano and organ player, composer, conductor, and pedagogue.
• Willem Meester Jr.: Dutch internet entrepreneur and software developer.
• Rik Meester: Dutch football manager.
• Bep Meester: Dutch sculptor.
• Anton Meester: Dutch painter, interior designer, and decorator.
• Albert Meester: Dutch mathematics professor and polymath.

Other surnames

Meesters