Surname Meker - Meaning and Origin
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Meker: What does the surname Meker mean?
The last name Meker is an occupational surname that originated from Scotland, particularly near Glasgow. The name came from the Middle English word ‘meker’ meaning ‘maker’ or ‘worker’ and is thought to have been adopted by a family of craftspeople who produced items like leather goods, weapons and tools. It is believed that the Meker family’s skill in craftsmanship was passed down from generation to generation and quickly became their main source of income. In Scotland, Meker was pronounced ‘mechor’ and it is possible the family adopted this version of their name when they moved to England during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The spelling of the name has changed over time, with some variations including Mecher, Meeker, Mekker and Mekar. In some cases, the spelling has translated to dialects of German, French and Dutch, becoming Marcher, Mekeder and Maaker, respectively.
Today, Meker is an uncommon surname but it can still be found around the world, with families now living in the United States, Canada and Australia. The Meker family is considered particularly lucky as their unique name brings with it a sense of pride, indicating that they may have come from a long line of industry makers. Many of the modern day Meker families are still talented craftsmen and craftswomen, making items for their respective communities and continuing the legacy of their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisMeker: Where does the name Meker come from?
The name Meker is of Germanic origin, and it is typically found today in countries such as Germany, Austria, and Belgium. It still appears in some parts of the United States, usually having been passed down through family migration patterns. In Germany, the Meker surname is most common in the North Rhine-Westphalia area as well, but there have been populations of Meker’s throughout German history in the Bavaria, Saxony, Rhineland region and even stretching into the Czech Republic.
In the United States, the Meker surname is most heavily concentrated in northern states, such as Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. It can also be found south in southern states such as North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Though considered an ethnic or foreign-sounding name in the United States, Meker is actually a fairly old surname common to areas of Europe that experienced early Germanic settlement and migration.
In Belgium, the Meker name is believed to have originated in Darwinne, around the 1600s during the Protestant Reformation that was occurring in Europe at the time. Today, the Meker name remains popular throughout these European countries.
Variations of the surname Meker
Meker is a surname of French origin, and is thought to be derived from the personal name Macaire, which itself is derived from a Latin term meaning ‘happy’. As such, it is primarily found in French-speaking countries and areas. The variants and spelling alternatives of Meker are the same as Macaire, which include Makair, Makaire, Macaire, Macayre, Maquaire, Maquire and Makayre.
Meker may also be found in surnames of other origins, as Meker is an assimilation or shortening of McEker, Meker and Mecher. McEker is an anglicization of Mac Íosog, an Irish surname derived from the combination of two Gaelic words: mac meaning ‘son of’ and Íosog meaning ‘the fair one’. Meker and Mecher are both derived from Middle English, with Meker meaning ‘scribe’ and Mecher meaning ‘tutor’ or ‘instructor’.
Although rare, Meker can sometimes be found in Jewish families as an assimilated form of the surname Mecher. This surname was adopted by Jewish families to conceal their Jewish identity in periods of high anti-semitism and discrimination. Mecher is derived from Middle High German mecher, meaning ‘ merchant’.
In conclusion, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Meker are primarily Macaire, Makair, Makaire, Macayre, Maquaire, Maquire and Makayre, as well as McEker, Meker and Mecher. All of these are derived from French, Irish and Middle English, as well as Middle High German.
Famous people with the name Meker
- Isabella Meker: Model and social media influencer.
- Celina Meker: Professional powerlifter and CrossFit Athlete.
- Dawn Meker-Jones: Chief Executive Officer of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board.
- Matt Meker: Actor, producer, comedian and writer.
- William K. Meker: Evaluator of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
- Chuck Meker: Actor and personal fitness trainer.
- Lou Meker: Former professional American football player.
- Steven Meker: Artist and professor of the arts.
- Patrick Meker: Music producer, composer, songwriter and vocalist.
- Lauren Meker: Professional makeup artist.
- Faith Meker: Soccer player for Harvard University.
- Michael Meker: Founding owner of Meka Robotics.
- Mark Meker: Politician, founding member of the National Dinner for Wounded Warriors.
- Kevin Meker: Executive Vice President of Advertising Operations at Google.