Surname Meyr - Meaning and Origin
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Meyr: What does the surname Meyr mean?
The last name Meyr is a variation of the German surname Meyer, which is derived from the Old High German words "meiga" and "rar," meaning "powerful" and "famous." The name is commonly found in parts of Germany and Austria. It is also popular in Jewish communities in Germany and in other parts of the world.
The suffix "-er" added to the last name Meyer denotes a patronym, or a name that is derived from the personal name of the father. This indicates that ancestors of the Meyr family had a name beginning with Mey-, making it likely that a common ancestor lived locally wherever the name was found.
The first recorded instance of a Meyr family is an eighteenth-century parish registry from Oberweiler, Germany, where Sebastian Meyr is listed as a family head. The Meyr family has spread throughout Germany and to other parts of Europe, as well as to the United States, Canada, Australia, and other parts of the world.
In general, the last name Meyr is associated with strength and prestige. It is believed to represent qualities of intelligence, ambition, and power—a symbol of tremendous success and accomplishment. This might explain the popularity of the name throughout history—even though specific origin stories surrounding the Meyr family remain unknown.
Order DNA origin analysisMeyr: Where does the name Meyr come from?
The last name Meyr is most commonly found in Germany and Austria. It is estimated that approximately 10,000 individuals across Europe bear the last name Meyr today.
In Germany, Meyra are mainly located in the northern and western regions such as Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Lower Saxony. Their concentration in these states are closely related to the fact that they were among the first Germans to settle in the United States. In Austria, the last name Meyr is especially popular in the region of Austrian-Bohemian near the Czech-Austrian border.
Outside of Europe, Meyr is scattered throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, and even as far as New Zealand. Most of these families trace their roots back to the German-speaking territories of Austria and Germany and emigrated in the 18th and 19th centuries. However, some Meyr families may also be of Jewish origin.
The meanings of the Meyr name vary, but they are most likely linked to Old German terms such as "Meier," or "man in charge" and "Mayer," or "head farmer." This is supported by the fact that many people with the Meyr surname were farmers or field workers.
Variations of the surname Meyr
The surname Meyr is derived from the German given name Meier, and has several different variants and spellings. These surnames include the variants Myers, Mayer, Maier, Major, Meier, and Mayr.
The variants Myers and Mayer can be seen as specifically English language versions of the name, as the final consonant in the German version of the name (Meier) is changed to a y sound in English. Despite the change in pronunciation, Myers and Mayer still share a common origin within Meier and its related forms.
The variant Maier likely has French origins, as the French language sometimes opts to keep the German e sound, with the “ai” coming closer to the original pronunciation of the given name from which this surname comes. This form of the surname is somewhat less common than an English language variant, but still exists in some areas.
Major is a version of the original name that arose during the period of Anglo-Norman invasions in the British Isles. This variant seeks to keep a similar pronunciation, though the meaning of the name has been essentially lost in translation due to a lack of knowledge regarding the origin of the surname.
The traditional spelling of the surname Meier is still seen worldwide, and is especially common in German-speaking countries. This spelling retains the original pronunciation of the surname, which also works out for spellings left in areas of Germanic influence such as the spelling Mayr.
Overall, the surname Meyr has multiple variants and spellings that all share a common origin in the traditional German name of Meier. The different forms of this surname can be seen around the world, in areas of both Germanic and English speaking influence.
Famous people with the name Meyr
1.Hans Meyr (1907: 1989), German architect. 2.Henning Meyr (born 1964), German composer. 3.Herbert Meyr (1893: 1958), German military personnel and recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. 4.Jacques Meyr (1913: 1986), Swiss composer. 5.Johannes Meyr (born 1952), Austrian ski jumper. 6.Karl Johann Meyr (1781: 1836), Czech composer. 7.Karl Meyr (1862: 1949), German engineer. 8.Konrad Meyr (born 1968), Austrian economist and banker. 9.Martin Meyr (born 1965), Austrian journalist and TV presenter. 10.Max Meyr (1888: 1967), Austrian actor and screenwriter. 11.Nikolaus Meyr (born 1971), Austrian entrepreneur and investor. 12.Rudolf Meyr (born 1953), Austrian politician and lawyer. 13.Walter Meyr (1890: 1961), Austrian actor. 14.Willi Meyr (1907: 1988), Austrian writer.