Surname Meeves - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Meeves: What does the surname Meeves mean?
The last name Meeves is thought to have multiple possible origins. One possibility is that it is derived from the Old English personal name “Maeve” which can be translated as "joyful" or "delightful". The Gaelic spelling of this name is "Maev". It might also come from the Old English pre-7th century personal name "Meave", the Old High German "mevia", and the Old Norse personal name "Meyvi". The surname Meeves could be a variant form of the Old French name “Mousset”, resulting from the diminutive nickname “mousse” meaning “meadow”. Similarly, it might be derived from a topographical name for someone living near a meadow. The surname may also be a combined form of two old English names, Maeve and Eadweard, which mean “joyful” and “guardian”, respectively. Finally, it may have come from the Middle English personal name “Mouve”, derived from the old French name “mouve” meaning “labourer on the land”. Whatever its origin, the last name Meeves is likely an ancient one with strong roots.
Order DNA origin analysisMeeves: Where does the name Meeves come from?
The surname Meeves is an English name, and primarily found in areas historically associated with the British Isles, which would include the United Kingdom, parts of Ireland, and the English-speaking former colonies that now encompass the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the United Kingdom, Meeves is most common in Norfolk, Suffolk, and southern Scotland. In the United States, Meeves is commonly found in states with a large British and Irish influences, which includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and California.
Although Meeves is a relatively uncommon name, especially in the United States, records show that it has been consistently found there from the colonial period. In 1790, there were only two Meeves individuals living in the United States. By 1890, there were more than sixty Meeves families living in the United States.
Today, Meeves is a name found much more in the United Kingdom than in the United States, but it can still be found in both countries. Its birthplace of the name is believed to have been in northern England, and it is thought to have derived from the personal name Meve, which can be traced to the Middle English word mef, meaning joyous.
Variations of the surname Meeves
The surname Meeves is of British origin and has several variants, including Meves, Meeve, Meeves, Meevissen, Meavissen, Mvies, and Mevissen.
The surname Meeves typically derives from the Old English "meawes" which means "meadow". It referred to a person who lived near a meadow. It is also thought that the name could also refer to a person who stayed in a meadow.
The most common spelling of Meeves is Meeve and this spelling has been adopted in countries such as Germany, Netherlands, and Switzerland. In some cases, the variation of the name may be related to the Germanic language, Meavissen or Mvies, for example.
In some cases, the name Meeves has been anglicised into a form such as Mevissen or Mevis, which is more akin to the original spelling. Mevissen is also the name of an old Dutch settlement near the town of Oldenzaal in the Netherlands.
The surname Meeves is also found in the United States. It is sometimes spelled as Mives or Myves. Occasionally, the surname Meeves has been spelled in various other ways such as Meevely, Meevo, Mevo, Meave, Meavet, Meavey, Mawvely, and Maveli.
The surname Meeves is generally rare, although it is not uncommon in some areas such the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States. It is usually linked to the migration of Britons to various parts of the world over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Meeves
- Chris Meeves: Actor and singer who has provided voicework in various anime series.
- Todd Meeves: Actor and songwriter from California, appeared in various shows tat have aired on the Discovery Channel, as well as the sci-fi show Farscape.
- Aaron Meeves: Canadian painter and illustrator, specializing in realist, caricatures, cityscapes, and portraiture.
- Arthur Meeves: British retired professional footballer, who played in the English and Scottish football leagues for over fifteen years.
- John Meeves: Australian field hockey player who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
- Richard Meeves: English former professional footballer who played in the English and Welsh football leagues in the early 1990s.
- William Meeves: American politician and lawyer from Indiana, who has held multiple public office positions, including a state senator, a deputy sheriff, and a district attorney.
- Jeremiah Meeves: Canadian author of horror, science fiction, and fantasy, and lyricist for the post-hardcore/industrial band Autumn Lane.
- Mary Meeves: Canadian lawyer who has served in various government positions, from Supreme Court Justice to Cabinet Minister.
- Paul Meeves: British olympic swimmer, who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics, and set the British record for the men's 200 m butterfly event.