Surname Meiner - Meaning and Origin
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Meiner: What does the surname Meiner mean?
The last name Meiner is of German origin and is a patronymic name derived from the given name Meinhard. The name Meiner is derived from the Old German word “mein” which means mighty or strong. The suffix “-er” denotes “one associated with or coming from”, so Meiners indicate that an individual is a descendant of someone who held that name.
The Meiner name is found throughout much of Europe, primarily Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and has even spread to the United States. Meiners were amongst the early settlers in the United States, and many of the name can be found on the records of the early American colonists.
The Meiner name was also quite popular in the late 19th century. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries Meiners were known for their strong traditions in farming, construction, and manufacturing. Meiners were common among the tradesmen in the cities and towns of Europe, making a living as blacksmiths, millers, cobblers, tanners, and other craftsmen.
Today, the Meiner name has become popular in the United States, and individuals with the name are found in every part of the country. It is also found in many countries throughout the world, as the Meiner surname symbolizes a spirit and resilience of the past.
Order DNA origin analysisMeiner: Where does the name Meiner come from?
The last name Meiner is common today primarily in Germany, where it is ranked as the 459th most frequently occurring surname. It is estimated that there are around 6,500 people with this surname currently living in the country. Meiner is also found in Switzerland, where it is among the most popular surnames. Additionally, Meiner is relatively widespread in Austria, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein.
Outside of the German-speaking countries, the surname Meiner is relatively rare, but has recently begun appearing in other parts of the world. The United States has a growing population of Meiner's, and there are believed to currently be around 1,233 people in the United States bearing the surname. Additionally, the surname is found in France, Canada, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and other parts of Europe and beyond.
The etymology of the name Meiner is unclear, though the German verb meinern, which means "to pine away," may have some bearing on the name's origin. Alternatively, the surname may have originated as an occupational name, as the verb meinern suggests the process of sieving grain, an occupation common to many regions where the name is now found.
In any case, the last name Meiner is still quite common today and continues to spread to new locales.
Variations of the surname Meiner
The Meiner surname is believed to have originated in Germany and has many variants, spellings, and other surnames with the same origin.
The most common variants of the Meiner surname are Meiners, Meineke, Meinke, Meinecke, and Meinert. These are all German spellings and originate from the same Latin root "Maghinari". Another variant, spelled Meier, is mostly a Swiss German name and originates from the root word "Maier," meaning mayor or bailiff.
In addition, there are many other surnames with similar origins. Meehan and Meehaner are spellings of Meiner, which originated from a Gaelic Irish name. Other surnames with similar roots include Meehan, Meehaner, Meghan, Meise, Mee, and Meres.
Variants with French roots include Meynier, Meyrier, Mainier, Maineri, Mainey, Mainy, Mainard, Mainardi, Mianey, and Mianard.
Several non-German spellings exist, generally created by phonetic or phonological adaptation of the original surname. Such English variants include Myner, Miner, Minner, Minner, Meener, Meener, Miner, Major, and Minor. Another English variant, Mesner, originated from the Latin form Magister, which means "master."
Finally, there are Romanian surnames derived from Meiner, such as Maier, Mejer, and Meier.
In conclusion, there is an extensive list of surnames, spellings, and variants derived from the German surname Meiner.
Famous people with the name Meiner
- Juergen Meiner: German film and television actor from the 1980s.
- Ludwig Meiner: German bookseller and publisher from the 18th century.
- Werner Meiner: German mathematician and physicist from the 19th century.
- Karl Meiner: German banker and philanthropist from the early 20th century.
- Erna Meiner: German-British pianist from the early 20th century.
- Heinrich Meiner: Austrian distinguished jurist from the 20th century.
- Wilhelm Meiner: German poet from the 1940s.
- Robert Meiner: American politician and Vietnam War veteran from the late 20th century.
- Monika Meiner: German film director from the 1990s and 2000s.
- Philipp Meiner: German footballer from the 2000s and currently playing in the German 3rd division.