Surname Minteer - Meaning and Origin

Minteer: What does the surname Minteer mean?

The surname Minteer is of Scottish origin, having been derived from the lands of Minty, located in the parish of Logie-Pert, Angus. The Scottish Gaelic form of the name is "Meinn Tir" which is translated to "middle land." This surname, like many others, was a topographic name used to identify where the original bearers lived or owned land. The evolution of the surname has seen several variations including but not limited to; Minty, Minitie, Mintie, and Minteer. It is important to note that the distribution and spelling of surnames were largely affected by illiteracy among early populations. Names were recorded as they sounded which often resulted in a single individual's name being inconsistently spelled over a lifetime.

Minteer: Where does the name Minteer come from?

The surname Minteer is believed to have derived from the British Isles, specifically from the regions encompassing Scotland and Ireland. It is a variant of the surname Minter, which is an occupational name, originally denoting to someone who minted coins.

The highest concentration of individuals with the surname Minteer can be found currently in the United States, especially in the state of Pennsylvania. This is likely due to migration patterns during the 18th and 19th centuries when many people from the British Isles immigrated to America for a better life, carrying their surnames with them. Despite its origin in the British Isles, the surname is not as common there today.

Since surnames' distribution can change over time due to migration, intermarriage, and other societal changes, contemporary concentration of the surname Minteer might be located in different regions compared to the historical patterns. But it remains not widely distributed and is considered quite unique.

Variations of the surname Minteer

The surname Minteer could have several spelling variants, including Minter, Minntier, Mintire, Minteer, and Mentzer. The variants of a surname often result from a phonetic spelling during the migration and Anglicization of names. Differences in spelling can also be attributed to religious differences or clerical errors in written historical documents.

The surname is believed to be of German origin, derived from the German name "Münzer" or "Mentzer," which was an occupational name for a person who minted coins. This could confirm that any spelling variants of the surname Minteer would likely have a close association to its German roots.

However, it's important to note that due to the nature of surnames and their historical evolution, definitive connections between these variants can be challenging to confirm without genealogical research.

Famous people with the name Minteer

• Steve Minteer: American professor and researcher specialized in electrochemistry, gaseous dielectric films, fuel cells, microbial fuel cells, supercapacitors, electron transport in layers, electrochemical engineering, and green energy.
• Jack Minteer: American IRA racing bicycle professional cyclist who competed during the 1960s and 1970s.
• Mike Minteer: American football safety who played three seasons in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs.
• Clauda Minteer: American actress who has appeared in movies such as The Land of Pity, The Audience, and Love History.
• Thomas Minteer: American artistic gymnast who won the junior national all-around title in 1992.
• Keith Minteer: American cookbook author, food historian, and folklorist who has written multiple books about ingredients and recipes from around the world.
• Angela Minteer: Australian musician and composer who has composed soundtracks for video games and film scores.
• Wade Minteer: American football linebacker and defensive end who was drafted in the fourth round of the 1983 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• William D. Minteer: American politician who served as a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1924 to 1928.
• Ryan Minteer: American professional golfer and one of the founders of the National Collegiate Players Association.

Other surnames

MinteMinterMintey