Surname Meffert - Meaning and Origin

Meffert: What does the surname Meffert mean?

The last name Meffert is of German origin. It is derived from the old German name Medefrid, which means 'peaceful ruler'. Some variant spellings of the surname are Mefford, Maffert, Mefert, and Meford.

The name Meffert may have originated circa 500-700 AD, when a series of Germanic tribal families began to reclaim the land of the former Roman Empire. These tribes were called the Franks, and they eventually formed the kingdoms of Francia and Germany. During this time, naming conventions changed to reflect the hierarchal rule of these new monarchs. People began to assume surnames which indicated their allegiance to a lord or ruler. Thus, the name Meffert was likely adopted by somebody who served a peaceful ruler.

The Mefferts of today can trace their lineage to Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, Austria, and other German-speaking parts of Europe. But, it is also common for this surname to be found in the United States. As a result of the wave of German immigration to America in the 19th century, the name Meffert can be seen in the records of almost every U.S. state.

Today, the Meffert surname is still going strong across various nations and continents. Although the original meaning of 'peaceful ruler' may not be universally applicable to all Mefferts, it still signified a heroic figure at the time of its inception.

Meffert: Where does the name Meffert come from?

The surname Meffert is a Germanic-sounding name, generally thought to be derived from the word ‘meifert’, meaning brave or powerful. It first found its roots in parts of Germany, before making its way to other countries such as the US, Canada, and Australia.

Within Germany, Meffert is found mainly in the south-west and south-east of the country. Provinces such as Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Rhineland-Palatinate have the highest presence of the name Meffert.

In the United States, the surname is most prominent in the Midwestern states of Ohio and Michigan, where it is found in highest numbers. According to the US census data, Ohio is home to over 10,000 individuals with the name, while Michigan is home to an estimated 5,000 people with the name Meffert. Smaller concentrations of the surname can be found in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, New Jersey, and Texas.

Elsewhere around the world, the surname is much rarer. Australia is home to around 500 individuals with the name, while almost 1,000 people in Canada are known to carry the Meffert surname.

In all, it can be said that Meffert is most commonly found in Germany and the United States. Elsewhere, the surname is rarer but is still found in small numbers in other countries.

Variations of the surname Meffert

The surname Meffert is German in origin and is derived from the Middle High German words ‘meffer’ or ‘meiffer’ which were words for a soft fur or trim used to decorate clothing. As a result, the surname is an occupational name for a furrier or fur trader.

Meffert is an uncommon surname and is found mainly in Germany, although also found in other countries including the United States, Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands.

The most common variants of the surname Meffert include Meifert, Mefert, Meiphart, and Meyfahrt. These variants are all derived from the same origin and are all interchangeable.

There are several spellings of the surname Meffert, which can include Mefert, Meifert, Meiphart, Meifhart, Meifahrt, Miefert, Miepfert, Meyfart, Meift, Leifert, Leifart, Liefert, Lefert, Leiphart, and Meyehart.

The most common surnames that share the same origins as Meffert include Meier, Meyer, Mayer, Mayr, Moer, Muer, Mohr, and Most.

Famous people with the name Meffert

• Dieter Meffert: a German professional golfer
• Fran Meffert: an American football player and coach
• Alexander Meffert: a German oratorio and opera composer
• Noah Meffert: an American professional soccer player
• John Meffert: an American former baseball player
• Joseph Meffert: a German baritone and academic teacher
• Raymond Meffert: a German master luthier
• Barbara Meffert: an American botanical artist
• Emil Meffert: a German engineering scientist
• Andrea Meffert: a German professor of Business and Economics

Other surnames

Mefferd