Surname Meit - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Meit: What does the surname Meit mean?
The last name Meit is an ancient surname with Germanic origins. It is derived from the name Meit which was the name of a Teutonic God.
The surname Meit is thought to have initially been a name of a Teutons that lived in ancient Germany, and it is believed to have been used during the Middle Ages as a sign of demonstrative worship to this Teutonic god. This is why many families with the name Meit still live in Germany today.
The primary meaning of the name Meit is "follower" or "servant" and is connected with the god Meit or Mithra, which was a deity of Indo-Iranian origin, closely related to the gods Mithras, Horus, and Marduk. The root of the name refers to a protective, strong, and resolute person or being, and often was given to those who showed strength of spirit or character. It is also said that the name is sometimes used to mean "great protector" or "Lord of Hosts".
The surname Meit has also had royal connections throughout its long history, as many early rulers in Germany have had the surname at some point. It also appears to have gained popularity as a surname throughout England, Scotland, France, and elsewhere, as early immigrants brought the name to other countries.
The name Meit is still common in Europe today, indicating a long and varied history for this ancient surname.
Order DNA origin analysisMeit: Where does the name Meit come from?
The last name Meit is a Jewish name, and is today particularly common in countries with sizable Jewish populations. In Israel, it is one of the most popular last names, with around 14,000 individuals registered in the Israeli telephone directory. It is also relatively common in the United States, where it ranks within the top 10,000 of last names. It is quite a diverse label that also has established roots in Germany, and it is less commonly seen in other parts of Europe, though still present in some countries, including Austria, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, Meit can also be found in regions where people of Jewish heritage settle, such as South Africa and Australia. The name is thought to have originated from the Hebrew word "Meit", meaning a vision, or a messenger of God. Another hypothesis suggests it may have Germanic roots from the word "mit", which means both with and among.
Variations of the surname Meit
The surname Meit is of Germanic origin and has several variants and alternative spellings. These include Metz, Metzger, Meytz, Maetz, and Meyts.
The surname Metz is probably derived from the German word for 'midge' or 'gnat.' While the Metzger variant of the name comes from the German word 'Metzger' meaning 'butcher.' This suggests that an early ancestor of the name worked in the meat industry. Another variant, Maetz, is derived from the Yiddish word for 'mattress' and may indicate that an ancestor worked in the mattress industry.
The surname Meytz is thought to be a combination of the German words 'meit' meaning 'to measure' and 'zell' or 'cell', indicating that an ancestor may have used 'measuring cells' in a trade.
It is possible that some of the variations of the surname Meit might be derived from separate occupational name sources. The German term 'Meyer', meaning 'town mayor' or 'overseer', might also be used in combination with the Metz variant of the name. This could be indicated by the name Meyers.
The surname Meit is also found in various other European countries. For example, in Denmark the surname is recorded as Meith, while in the Netherlands it is known as Meijts. In Poland the name is sometimes spelled Mejtek, while in Sweden it is known as Meit.
Finally, Meit is also a Jewish name with spelling variants such as Meytin, Meytes, and Meytles. These variants may have originated from the German phrase 'meite metz', which translates as 'to measure'.
Famous people with the name Meit
- Petri Meit: Estonian bodybuilder and powerlifter.
- Ibn Meït: 11th-century Moroccan geographer, clergyman, writer, historian, judge, qadi, astronomer, and philosopher.
- Martin Meit: Dutch politician and Member of Parliament.
- Wiebke Meit: German sport shooter and Olympic medalist.
- Ernst Gustav Meit: German politician and mayor of the city of Essen in the early 20th century.
- Konstantin Meit: a German writer and popularizer of science.
- Robert Meit: a German chemist, industrialist and cultural philanthropist.
- Fer Meit: Spanish actor, comedian, and television presenter.
- Alfred Meit: German diplomat best known as the Nazi German ambassador to England from 1938 to 1939.
- Alexander Josef Meit: German-born musician, composer, arranger, and conductor.