Surname Meeus - Meaning and Origin
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Meeus: What does the surname Meeus mean?
The last name Meeus is of Dutch origin and is derived from either a variant spelling of the Latin word "meus" which means "mine" or from the old Dutch word "mijns" which translates to "mine" as well. It is also possible that the name is derived from both the Dutch mijn and the German mehls, both of which mean "mill".
The earliest recorded reference of a person with the last name Meeus is found in the Netherlands in the 15th century. This was likely the name of a mill owner or someone related to the grain industry, suggesting that the name Meeus is associated with wealth.
It is likely that the name Meeus is derived from an ancient Dutch term that located a person in a certain region or indicated the business that an individual was involved in. It was a popular surname among the Dutch, and over time the variation of the spelling of the last name varied in regions, becoming Meuys, Meijs, Mees, and Meeuws.
Today, the last name Meeus is still common in the Netherlands. It is also popular in Belgium, Luxembourg, and some parts of Germany. People with the last name Meeus typically have Dutch ancestry and can trace their roots back to 15th century Netherlands.
Order DNA origin analysisMeeus: Where does the name Meeus come from?
The last name Meeus is a rather uncommon name, and today is most common in the regions of the world where it originated. Meeus comes from Belgium, where it is still common today throughout all of Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium. In addition, Meeus is found in the Netherlands, another area of the world where it is still relatively common.
Meeus is also found in Australia and other Dutch-speaking colonies, such as Suriname, reflecting the great reach of the Dutch diaspora throughout the last several centuries. In the US, where the census does not count spelling variations, Meeus is rare, but migrating families have introduced the name to Germany and other nations, where Meeus is still considered quite uncommon.
The prevalence of the name Meeus tends to depend on national history. The name has been carried down through generations and spread by Dutch immigration, which means that it has been more common in areas where Dutch or Flemish populations have had large presences, whether historically or more recently. The last name Meeus is one of many that represent a unique part of the Dutch and Flemish heritage.
Variations of the surname Meeus
Meeus is a surname of Dutch or German origin. Its variants, spellings and surnames derived from it, are as follows:
Meeuwis, Meeuws, Meeuwsen, Meeuwssen, Meeuwsz, Meeusen, Meeus, Mieus, Mieussel, Mijus, Myeus, Myeusen, Myers, Meys, Meijs, Meijsen, Meijsz, Meijssen, Meuss, Meussen.
The origin of the name Meeus is likely derived from the Low German Mas, which means gardens. Due to its origin, most spellings and variants of the surname are related to the Dutch word for garden, boomgaard, which is pronounced “myaards”. The Meeus surname is therefore a derivative of the Low German Mas and the Dutch boomgaard.
The roots of this particular surname can be traced back to Dutch nobility, as a noble family named Meeus-Lamhaerts is documented in the 13th century. It is believed that the modern Meeus surname appears in the late 15th century. Today, the Meeus surname is found throughout the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, and other countries with Dutch or German heritage.
The Meeus surname is still quite common in the Netherlands, and is usually spelled as Meeuwis. In Great Britain, many people with the surname are likely descendants of immigrants from the Netherlands or Germany. The Meeus surname is also quite common in other parts of Europe, such as Belgium and Germany. In addition, there are also many individuals with the Meeus surname in the United States.
The surname Meeus may not be as recognizable outside of the Netherlands, Germany, and Great Britain as some other comparable surnames such as Johnson and Miller, but it is still a quite common Dutch-German surname with a long and unique history.
Famous people with the name Meeus
- Jean-Pierre Meeus: Belgian actor and theater director, known for his work on Jos Af, Show Me Love and Kadotte.
- Soetkin Meeus: Belgian art historian specialized in modern and contemporary art.
- Emile Meeus: Belgian politician and statesman, active from the 19th century to the early 20th century.
- Jan Meeus: Belgian agronomist and professor, known for his pioneer work in the field of agricultural economics.
- Richard Meeus: Belgian composer and author, particularly known for his work in musical theatre.
- Marc Meeus: Belgian lawyer and politician, specializing in land use and development law.
- Julien Meeus: Dutch filmmaker and producer, known for his documentary films and his award-winning feature films.
- Gert Meeus: Belgian figure skater, multiple-time Belgian national champion in his field.
- Lies Meeus: Belgian journalist and writer, mostly active in the art world.
- Isabelle Meeus: Belgian artist and sculptor.