Surname Meirs - Meaning and Origin

Meirs: What does the surname Meirs mean?

The surname Meirs is of English and Welsh origin, derived from the pre-7th-century Old English term "mere" or the Old Welsh "mawr," both of which mean "lake." It was a topographic name given to people residing near a lake, pond, or a body of water. In some circumstances, it is considered a locational surname, referring to individuals from a place called Mere in Wiltshire, North Cheshire, or Somerset. A professional name for a local official in charge of measuring land could also be identified as Meirs, from the Middle English term "me(a)re," meaning "boundary." Note that the spelling variations of this surname include Mere, Meer, Meere, Meir, Meire, Meyre, and others due to the lack of spelling rules in early ages and the influence of different languages. The surname, like many others, may give some indication of one's ancestors' trade, location, or any identity-defining characteristic. It is noteworthy that different spellings of the same original surname are just as valid and have the same ancestral bearing.

Meirs: Where does the name Meirs come from?

The last name Meirs is of English origin and it is considered a variant of the surname Mears. The name Mears is derived from the Old French word "maraeus" or "maresc", meaning marsh, indicating that the original bearers of the name probably lived near a marsh. The surname was first found in Hampshire in Southern England.

Meirs is not a common surname, but it is found more frequently in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. In the United States, the name is often found in the states of Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania. Even though the surname has a traditional English origin, over time, it has dispersed and can be found among various ethnic communities across the globe. Researchers of the surname Meirs should note that it has been recorded under many different forms over history, including Mears, Mear, Meares, and Maires. Like many other surnames, its spelling and form could have changed over the centuries due to a variety of factors such as regional dialects and illiteracy.

Variations of the surname Meirs

The surname Meirs, predominantly found in the United Kingdom, boasts a variety of alternative spellings, all of which have derived over time due to geographical location, regional accents and simple transliteration errors. These variations can include Mears, Miers, Myers, Meares, Mear, Myres, and Miers.

There are also similar international spelling such as the German "Meyer", the Dutch "Meijer" or the French "Mayer". Jewish surnames Mayer or Myers are similar too but it has different origin.

Another reason for such a wealth of versions of the name is the result of its deriving from several origin sources. These include the ancient Hebrew name 'Meir', which means 'Enlightened'; the old English term 'Mere' translating to 'Lake', 'Pond' or 'Pool'; and the French 'Mare', which equates to 'Pond'.

As the name spread across different regions and was absorbed into different cultures, each had their own vernacular interpretation, leading to widespread spelling variations. Hence, the surname Meirs and its various forms could be seen throughout different cultures and geographical locations.

Famous people with the name Meirs

• Catharine MacKinnon Meirs (Canadian politician)
• Donald Meirs (American basketball coach)
• Elisabeth Meirs (Belgian pianist)
• German Meirs (Venezuelan geographer)
• Harald Meirs (German writer)
• Karl Meirs (German mathematician)
• Larry Meirs (American politician)
• Leila Meirs (Brazilian actress)
• Mariko Meirs (Japanese artist)
• Max Meirs (German philosopher)
• Ursula Meirs (German-American author)
• William Meirs (American banker and philanthropist)
• Yje Meirs (Dutch composer)
• Zachary Meirs (Australian entrepreneur)

Other surnames

MeirMeirhoferMeirle