Surname Myers - Meaning and Origin

Tracing the Myers Lineage: A Personal Exploration Through iGENEA's DNA Test

My genealogical journey with iGENEA's DNA test has proved enlightening with respect to my Myers lineage. With technical precision and deep historical insight, the test traces my genetic genealogy back to Western Europe and even hints at Indo-European language expansion.

V. Myers

Myers: What does the surname Myers mean?

The last name Myers is of English and Scottish origin and is derived from the Old Norse personal name of "Magnus" or "Megin", meaning "might" or "strength". During medieval times, the name was Anglicized to "Mire" and then became "Myer". It later evolved into its plural form "Myers", designating "son of Myer". The name was commonly adopted by Ashkenazi Jews when surnames became mandatory during the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the late 18th and early 19th century. The Jewish families often chose surnames related to trades, professions, or personal characteristics. Some believe that the name Myers in this context might be derived from the Hebrew word "Meir", meaning "one who shines". Therefore, the name Myers has diverse cultural, geographical, and linguistic origins, reflecting the rich tapestry of immigration, conquest, and assimilation that characterizes the history of the British Isles.

Myers: Where does the name Myers come from?

The surname Myers is of English and German origin. In the English context, it is derived from the name Mayer, meaning bailiff or steward. In the German context, it originates from the name Meier, referring to a farmer or tenant of farming land. It was common among the Jewish community as well.

The surname spread throughout the USA, Canada, England, Australia, and South Africa with the emigration of people from Europe, establishing it as a common name in these places. Today, it is more prevalent in the United States, particularly in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. In regions of Germany, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, the surname is still common today. It is also still reasonably common in England, particularly in and around London. Despite its origins and spread, the exact distribution of the Myers surname varies, and regional concentrations may exist.

Variations of the surname Myers

The surname Myers has several variations and originates from several sources. It's derived from the Old English name "maire" (meaning "mayor") and the Germanic name "Meier" or "Meyer" used for stewards or bailiffs of lands. The surname has different spellings which include Meyer, Mayer, Miers, Meirs, Meyers, Myars, and Mires.

It is also a variant of the Hebrew name Meir meaning "giving light". The spellings for this variant include Meier, Meir, Mayer, and Meyer.

In English-speaking countries, many Jewish families with similar surnames anglicized their names to Myers. Surnames of similar origins due to phonetic resemblance include Mieras and Mier.

The use of "y" and "i" in the name is somewhat interchangeable and can be different depending on family tradition or location. The double "e" in "Meyer" is because of the German pronunciation. "Mayer", on the other hand, got a mutation of vowel in English. In the United States, there are also versions like Myer or Myre, which are rarer.

In Dutch and Flemish, "Meijer" or "De Meyer" are equivalent surnames. In Denmark and Norway "Meyer" is used, while in Sweden it’s "Meijer". In all these cases, they have evolved from the profession-related term, meaning steward or bailiff.

Famous people with the name Myers

• Mike Myers: well known Canadian actor, comedian, and filmmaker.
• Thomas Myers: American author and educator best known for writing and popularizing the Anatomy Trains body system.
• Stephen Colbert: Emmy Award-winning American comedian, political commentator, and talk show host.
• Jesse Myers: an American former professional basketball player.
• Van Myers: former professional American football player who played the tight end position in the National Football League (NFL)
• John Myers: American journalist, currently Senior Correspondent for National Public Radio (NPR).
• Jack Myers: British-American media ecologist and author of best sellers such as "Future of Men" and "Future of Media".
• Lorne Myers: Canadian actor and comedian perhaps best known for his sketch comedy series "America's Funniest Home Videos".
• Peter Myers: Australian magazine editor and author of the classic book “Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink”.
• Joanne Myers: Emmy Award-winning American journalist and television executive producer.

Other surnames

Myer