Surname Meir - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Meir: What does the surname Meir mean?
The last name Meir is of Hebrew origin and is derived from the Hebrew name Me'ir, which means enlightener, one who gives light.
The name Me'ir in Biblical hebrew means "given in abundance" or "with exceeding generosity", which may refer to God's generosity in giving his people grace.
The last name Meir is found primarily in Jewish communities, but is not of exclusively Jewish origin. The name may also have Italian or French roots, and could be derived from the Latin name Mairus or Mirus, meaning "wonderful" or "lovable" respectively. In French, this name could also have been derived from the word "mérite" which means "merit".
In Jewish communities, however, it is generally accepted that the name is derived from the rabbinic figure of the same name. Rabbi Me'ir of the second century was known for his scholarship, wisdom, and understanding of the Torah. He was commonly known as Rabbi Me'ir Ba'al HaNess, or Rabbi Me'ir the miracle worker.
Regardless of its true origin, the name Meir today carries positive connotations of great wisdom, understanding, and generosity.
Order DNA origin analysisMeir: Where does the name Meir come from?
The last name Meir is most commonly found today in Israel and its Jewish diaspora. It is a Hebrew name derived from the Bible’s Moses, the leader of the Israelites who was given the name Meir (meaning ‘enlightened one’).
In modern Israel, the name is often given as a first name or middle name, as was the case for the late Prime Minister Golda Meir, who was born with the first name Golda, and her middle name was Meir. The surname is traditionally spelled ‘Meir’ but also appears as ‘Meïr’, ‘Meyer’ or ‘Meyers’, and belongs to Jewish families both in Israel and worldwide.
In addition, many people outside of Israel have adopted the name as a given name, such as the German actor Moritz Meyer, the Dutch photographer Casper Meyers, and American actress Marissa Meyers, among others.
Outside of Israel, the last name Meir is less common, but can still be found in various cities of the Jewish diaspora in Europe, the Americas, and elsewhere, where it is a testament to its biblical roots and the enduring tradition of the Jewish people.
Variations of the surname Meir
The surname Meir is of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Biblical name Meir, which means “enlightened” or “bright”. It is also spelled Mayer, Meyers, Meyer, Mayers, and Myer. In other parts of the world, the surname is also sometimes spelled Meijer, Meijers, Meyerhofer, and Meirer.
The variants of Meir are typically created when the original surname is modified to fit regional dialects and pronunciations. In German-speaking areas, the name is often spelled Meyer due to the German pronunciation of the letter "M" as "mee". Similarly, variations like Mein, Main, and Mayen are common amongst speakers of Yiddish.
There are a few related surnames that have the same origin as Meir. One of them is Mar, which is a shortened form of Meir, and is popular amongst Ashkenazi Jews. Mar is also sometimes spelled Mer, Mair, Meer, or Meier.
Other surnames with the same origin are Meyerhoff, Meyersohn, Meyerson, and Meyersfeld. These all come from the root word Meir and are variations of the surname.
The surname Meir is still quite common today, both in its original and modified forms. There are many people who bear this name around the world, and its meanings and variants continue to be passed down from generation to generation.
Famous people with the name Meir
- Golda Meir (1898-1978): Golda Meir was the fourth Prime Minister of Israel, serving from 1969 to 1974. She was also the first and only woman to hold the office, and she is remembered for creating strong support for the country among world leaders.
- Yitzhak Meir (1880-1956): Yitzhak Meir was an American-born Israeli scholar and religious leader who served as the Chief Rabbi of Israel from 1939 to 1956. He championed and helped build up Yeshiva University in New York and was a major figure in Israeli Zionism.
- Chaim Meir (1883-1947): Chaim Meir was an American-born Israeli Talmudic scholar who taught at many major yeshivas in Tel Aviv and became a renowned authority on Jewish law. He authored the authoritative rabbinical commentary on the Mishnah, called Mishnah Torah.
- Avraham Meir (1921-1995): Avraham Meir was an Israeli Air Force general who served as Chief of Staff from 1972 to 1974. He was an experienced fighter pilot and also served as Commander of the Israeli Air Force from 1968 to 1972.
- Simcha Meir (1907-2004): Simcha Meir was a leading Israeli politician and diplomat. He served as Foreign Minister from 1961 to 1974, and is credited with playing a significant role in establishing Israel's diplomatic ties with the United States and many other nations.
- Abba Meir (1927-2010): Abba Meir was an Israeli politician and diplomat. He served as Minister of Transportation (1977-1981) and as Ambassador to the United Kingdom (1968-1973). He was a major figure in Israeli Labor politics and served in the Knesset from 1965 to 1981.