Surname Meijer - Meaning and Origin
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Meijer: What does the surname Meijer mean?
The last name Meijer is of Dutch origin. The original meaning of 'Meijer' is 'Mayor', and the spelling of the name has changed various times over the centuries. In its earliest forms, it was spelled as 'Mayeur', 'Mayeurre', 'Mayour' and 'Maior'. The name itself stems from a medieval practice of selecting a man of prominence to take charge of a village and run its affairs. Over time, this term evolved into the concept of a 'mayor' and eventually to the last name we see today.
The Meijer surname can be translated into English to mean 'Farmer/Townsman' which reflects the occupational history of the individuals who carried the name. While the name originally held significant authority due to its reference to a village leader, it eventually came to represent those who farmed the land and lived in various small towns.
Many Meijer families have since moved away from the agricultural past to pursue a wider scope of professions. Today, many versions of the Meijer surname can be found across the world, more notably in the United States, Canada, and countries in Europe. The majority of individuals who carry the last name Meijer today are typically of Dutch descent, although other regional variations have been documented.
In spite of the different spelling variations, the overall meaning of the last name Meijer still remains intact. It is a name that can be traced back to medieval Europe and its original meaning of 'Mayor', and now continues to represent those who are connected through such a wonderful shared ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisMeijer: Where does the name Meijer come from?
The last name Meijer is most commonly found in the Netherlands and the surrounding countries. It is especially common in Dutch-speaking areas, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of Denmark, Germany, and France. The name is especially prevalent in the provinces of Gelderland, Overijssel, Drenthe, Groningen, Friesland, Zeeland, and Noord-Brabant. It is also found in other countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, where it is often used by immigrants from the Netherlands.
The origin of the last name Meijer dates back to the 1700s, when the name started to be used as a surname. It is derived from the Middle Dutch word meyere, meaning “mayor”. In the Dutch culture, mayors at the time often granted towns and villages the right to use certain land, which is thought to have been the origin of the last name.
Today, Meijer is a fairly common last name in the Netherlands. It is estimated that there are around 18,000 people with the last name Meijer, making it the 71st most common Dutch surname. The surname is most concentrated in the Dutch provinces of Gelderland and Overijssel, indicating it's popularity and prominence in those areas.
Overall, the last name Meijer is mostly found in the Netherlands and the surrounding countries, and more importantly, is still used as a surname today.
Variations of the surname Meijer
The Meijer spelling of the surname has several variants and surnames of the same origin. The most common variations include Meyer, Mayer, Maier, Meier, Myer and Meyers. The origins of the Meijer surname have been traced back to a number of countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland.
In the Netherlands, the name is derived from the Old Dutch word "meiger" which means steward, or a person in charge of the management of estates. As such, the surname Meijer often originated from people who held a position of authority in various regions of the country. The variants Meyer, Mayer, and Meyers all derive from the German form of the name, which is Meier, and is derived from the word meiger as well.
In Germany, the name is generally derived from the Middle High German word "meiger" which means mayor, or leader. Similarly, the variant Maier is derived from the Middle High German word "meier", meaning farmer or peasant. Interestingly, both the German and Dutch forms of the name have been found in the same areas of the Netherlands, with the Dutch version becoming more common with the passage of time.
Finally, the surname Myer is derived from the Middle High German word "müer", which means guardian. The spelling of the name gradually changed as the families moved across Europe and the New World. This ultimately resulted in the various forms of the name that are found today.
Famous people with the name Meijer
- Gerrit Meijer: Dutch corporate director and entrepreneur
- Hendrik Meijer: American entrepreneur and philanthropist
- Karel Meijer: Dutch rower, bronze medalist at the 1952 Summer Olympics
- Klaas Meijer: Dutch soccer player
- Richard Meijer: Dutch muay thai kickboxer and mixed martial artist
- Pieter Meijer: Dutch politician
- Iwan Meijer: Dutch artist
- Alma Meijer: Dutch professional dancer and dance instructor
- Gaby Meijer: Dutch actor
- Anke Meijer: Dutch dressage rider, competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics
- Tommie Meijer: Dutch television presenter, radio DJ and actor
- Dirk Jan Meijer: Dutch scientist and university professor
- Fleur Meijer: Dutch television presenter and radio DJ
- Maarten Meijer: Dutch film and television director