Surname Meussgeier - Meaning and Origin

Meussgeier: What does the surname Meussgeier mean?

The last name Meussgeier is a German surname derived from Middle High German ‘mussgeier’, which literally translates as ‘must vulture’ or ‘vulture of necessity’. Vultures are scavenging birds that feed on the remains of dead animals, symbolizing having to do something that is unpleasant or uncomfortable.

The name was given to people as an occupational surname, like butcher or baker, representing people who worked with vultures, often in taxidermy. With a lack of supplies, vultures were a useful source of food and in some cultures, the birds' feathers and skin were used to make clothing and jewelry.

The meaning behind the name was likely born out of necessity as an identity or label, as opposed to one referring to nobility or wealth. Those who took on the name were likely people of practicality and resourcefulness, looking to make the most of everything and finding value in even the seemingly valueless.

The name Meussgeier can still be found in many parts of Germany today, much of the history of it being lost in the generations that came before. It remains an interesting and unique surname today, much like the vulture it stands for.

Meussgeier: Where does the name Meussgeier come from?

The surname Meussgeier is widespread throughout Central Europe and is most commonly found in countries like Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The surname can also be found in smaller numbers in Hungary, France, as well as a few other countries.

The origin of this surname is German and derived from the Old High German personal name “meuz”. The name means "hornless cow" and was given to a cow herder. Over time, this name combined with the German word for "huntsman" (geier) to become a surname.

Today, the surname can be seen in varying forms such as Mausgaeier, Meussgeier, Maussgeier, and Meßmaeier. However, all these variations are quite rare. Even with the various spellings, the surname is widely considered to be a less common one. It is most commonly found in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

In addition to the regions mentioned, the surname has been documented to have spread to various parts of Europe including Hungary, France, Latvia, Lithuania, and Italy. It has also been found in various English speaking countries, including Canada, Australia, and the United States.

Variations of the surname Meussgeier

The surname Meussgeier is believed to have derived from the German word “Mausgier” or “Mausgähr”, which means “mouse hawk”. The surname is most commonly seen in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

In its various forms, the surname has many variants. Among the more common variants are: Meusgier, Mausgeier, Meusgäher, Mausgäher, Meusgiar, Mausgiar, Maussgier, Mousgeier, Mousgähr, Mousgier, Maussgähr, and Moffigier. Other forms of the surname include Mussgier, Messgier, Musgier, Meussgeyer, Mausgeyar, Mauseger, Mausgayr, Maugayr, Maugier, and Maurgier.

The surname has had its spelling altered over time as well. Early records of the surname Meussgeier show it spelled as Meusgeir, Mausegir, Mausger, Maussgey, Musgey, Muskier, Mougey, and Mousicum.

There are also various surnames derived from Meussgeier. Some of these include Mauscelli, Mousgilla, Mauske, Mausker, Messkey, and Muskey.

In conclusion, Meussgeier is a German surname that has a wide variety of spellings and surnames derived from it. From the original word “Mausgier” or “Mausgähr”, meaning “mouse hawk”, the surname Meussgeier has had its spelling altered over time and produced various variants and surnames derived from it.

Famous people with the name Meussgeier

• Kurt Meussgeier: a German aviation pioneer who worked with early forms of cantilever wings and monoplanes in 1910, although none of these designs were ever constructed.
• Uli Meussgeier: an Austrian singer-songwriter and producer, Uli Meussgeier has been producing records since the early 1990s.
• Siegfried Meussgeier: a German athlete who competed at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea
• Christian Meussgeier: a German football player, Christian has played in the German Football League since the late 1990s.
• Christa Meussgeier: a German opera singer, Christa first performed in the mid-1970s and has been a regular in opera houses across Germany and Europe ever since.
• Rainer Meussgeier: a German author and broadcaster, Rainer Meussgeier was the first to win a German broadcasting award in 1997.
• Sibylle Meussgeier: a German artist, Sibylle was active in the post-war period and her works include many painings, sculptures and drawings.
• Wilfried Meussgeier: a German architect and lecturer, Wilfried developed several influential construction projects in the 1970s and later worked as an educator at several universities in Germany.
• Klaus Meussgeier: a German politician, Klaus served in the German parliament from 1998 until 2002 and was a member of the centre-right party.
• Johannes Meussgeier: a German photographer, Johannes is known for his classic black-and-white portraiture and studio photography works.

Other surnames

Meussgeyer