Surname Meisinger - Meaning and Origin
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Meisinger: What does the surname Meisinger mean?
The surname Meisinger is of German origin. It is a habitational surname derived from various places named Maisingen or Meisingen in Germany. Habitavtional surnames were often given to people based on their place of origin or where they lived. Therefore, the name Meisinger likely initially referred to someone who came from or lived in a place called Maisingen or Meisingen. The exact meaning of these place-names is not clear, but could possibly relate to the word "meise," which is a type of bird (titmouse) in German, combined with an old suffix "-ing" denoting belonging or descendance. Like many surnames, the spelling may have evolved or varied over time and across different regions. As with many surnames of this type, tracing the exact origins and original meaning can be complex due to the historical changes in geographical boundaries, languages, and spelling conventions. Very few records explaining the exact usage or origins of a specific surname are often available.
Order DNA origin analysisMeisinger: Where does the name Meisinger come from?
The surname Meisinger is of German origin and is considered to be a habitational name derived from several places named Meising in Germany. The use of rock formations, geographical features, and common animals were typical inspirations in the formation of Germanic surnames. It appears to be most common in the Bavarian region of Germany. The surname indicates someone who originated or lived in these areas.
Primarily, it seems to be most prevalent in Germany to this day, as the bulk of people carrying the surname Meisinger can be found there. Over time, people with this surname have migrated to other countries, including the United States, largely due to waves of immigration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, even with this migration, the majority of individuals with the surname Meisinger still reside within Germany.
Variations of the surname Meisinger
The surname Meisinger is of German origin. It most likely evolved from the occupational name Meissner, referring to a person from Meissen, a region in Germany famous for its intricate porcelain. Over time and with emigration, the name's spelling has changed, leading to numerous variants.
There are several ways the surname Meisinger has been written historically. Variants include Maisinger, Meisenger, Meissinger, Masinger, Maißinger, and Meisner. The reason for these variant spellings is largely due to regional dialects and the phonetic spelling of surnames prior the establishment of standardized spelling rules. This has led to an individual's name often being recorded under several spelling variations in historical records.
For the same reasons, the surname Meisinger shares its origins with several other German surnames. Some of these include Messinger, Meissner, and even Mauser, which originally denoted a person from Mauser, a town located in contemporary Poland.
Despite the different spellings and minor changes, all these variants point back to a similar origin, basically a geographic or occupational identifier of an individual, which was traditionally common in European surnames.
Famous people with the name Meisinger
- Günther Meisinger (1938-2006): German lawyer, politician, and Nazi party official
- Christian Meisinger (1966-): Austrian composer and music producer
- Robert Meisinger (1973-): Czechoslovak and German professional ice hockey forward
- Johann Meisinger (1834-1915): Austrian botanist
- Johannes Meisinger (1910-2009): Austrian footballer and coach
- Kurt Meisinger (1943-2006): German operatic baritone
- Fritz Meisinger (1866-1945): Austrian painter
- Lukas Meisinger (1982-): German professional ice hockey player
- Michael Meisinger (1954-): German politician
- Tomas Meisinger (1917-2015): Czech entomologist