Surname Mertesacker - Meaning and Origin
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Mertesacker: What does the surname Mertesacker mean?
The last name Mertesacker is a German surname, derived from the German words "mert" and "sacker," meaning "famed" and "warrior" respectively. The name suggests that its bearer was an individual who was known for their martial prowess or courage.
Mertesacker is one of many German last names that are based on personal characteristics. This type of surname, known as "ego-names," was popular in the Middle Ages. An individual may have taken on such a name to signify their role in the community or to emphasize a trait they held that was influential or noteworthy.
The origin of Mertesacker dates back to at least the 17th century, however its exact origin is unknown. The name is prevalent in several German speaking nations and may even have spread to other parts of Europe. Mertesacker is quite widespread in the German States and is especially common in the southwestern region of the country.
Mertesacker is also found among some non-German-speaking countries, including France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. People of this surname may have moved to these countries at some point in history, either due to immigration or relocation for work or other reasons.
Overall, Mertesacker is an interesting expression of the German language, providing insight into the culture of a bygone era. It translates to mean that its bearer was an esteemed warrior or protector, an idea that likely had significance at the time and continues to carry on today.
Order DNA origin analysisMertesacker: Where does the name Mertesacker come from?
The last name Mertesacker is a German name meaning ‘guardian of the meadows’. It is most commonly found in Germany today, although the name is also present in many other parts of Europe including France, Poland, Austria and the Czech Republic.
The Mertesacker name first appears in records from the late 17th century in the Palatinate region of modern-day Germany, when Johann Mertesacker moved to the small town of Weidenthal. Over the following centuries, numerous Mertesackers spread to other parts of the region, particularly to the nearby cities of Krefeld, Neuss and Ludwigshafen.
Today, the Mertesacker name is most prominent in the old family homeland of the Palatine. Outsider visitors to this region are likely to instantly recognize the family name, as it is one of the most widely known in the area. It is also fairly common in many other parts of Germany, particularly in the states of Bavaria and Hesse.
It is also possible to find people bearing the Mertesacker name in the United States and other parts of the world. These Mertesackers today are often descendants of German emigrants, who took the name with them when they left for the New World in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Variations of the surname Mertesacker
The surname Mertesacker is a common German surname of Low German origin. It is derived from the German words 'Merten' and 'Sack', meaning 'servant of Merten'. The variants and alternate spellings of this name are Mertensacker, Mertsacker, Mertzsacker, and Mertzesacker.
The Mertesacker name is derived from an older version of the word ‘Merdsacker’, which referred to a large, sturdy storage container used to keep valuable items such as spices and weapons. Over time, the spelling of the name changed to Mertensacker, and it eventually settled on its current form of Mertesacker.
The Mertesacker surname, in its current spelling, is commonly found in Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. It is also found in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, particularly among immigrant families from Germany.
In addition to the Mertesacker surname, other surnames of the same origin include Merte or Mertehouser, which is derived from Merten and Old Dutch ‘Hus’, meaning house, and Mertz or Mertzluff, which is derived from Merten and Old Dutch ‘Lufter’ (later lufthous) meaning loft or upper room.
The Mertesacker surname is still in use today, and its variants and other associated surnames are often found in German genealogical records. It is also thought to be related to the surnames Meter, Moyer, and Meyers, among others.
Famous people with the name Mertesacker
- Per Mertesacker: German professional footballer. He is a retired center back who prominently played for German club, Werder Bremen, and Premier League club, Arsenal. He was a part of the 2014 World Cup-winning German national team.
- Anton Mertesacker: German sports journalist and sports writer. He has worked with various newspapers such as Die Welt, Süddeutsche Zeitung, and Der Spiegel. He is the father of Per Mertesacker.
- Peter Mertesacker: German sports entrepreneur. He is the brother of Per Mertesacker and the founder of the innovative sports platform, Playahead.
- Christian Mertesacker: German motorsport commentator and radio presenter. He is an editor at Motorvision and has a radio show called ‘Motorsport Live’.
- Erni Mertesacker: Former German footballer from the 1960s. He played for FC Schalke 04 and SG Wattenscheid 09.
- Klaus Mertesacker: German entrepreneur and the founder of the company, Mertesacker, GmbH & Co. KG.
- Anne Mertesacker: Retired Swiss snowboarder and Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Swiss Snowboard Team (SSB).