Surname Peier - Meaning and Origin

Peier: What does the surname Peier mean?

The last name Peier is a German name derived from the Ancient Greek name "Pieros," meaning "rock." Peier is also a variant of the surname "Piers."

The Peier surname is most common in Switzerland and Germany, but can also be found in other countries including the Benelux, parts of France and Italy. The etymology of the name is rooted in the Middle Ages when it referred to a "rock" – either literally or figuratively as a "firm support." As such, the name was sometimes given to strong and brave individuals who were thought to be brave and unyielding in the face of adversity.

Over time, the surname developed into a common family name. The name is less commonly seen as a first name, but there have been cases of it being used in this way.

Today, the surname Peier is still a common family name in certain parts of Europe and remains associated with strength and hardiness. Other connotations of the name include kindness, faithfulness, and loyalty.

Peier: Where does the name Peier come from?

The last name Peier is most commonly found in Switzerland. According to the Swiss Federal Statistics Office, there were 1,067 people holding this surname in 2020. Peier is a common last name in the French-speaking canton of Valais, which is situated in the southwestern part of the country. It is also found in numerous towns and villages in the bordering cantons of Vaud, Fribourg, and Bern. The surname has become increasingly popular over time due to the fact that many Swiss-Germans living in the area have adopted it.

In addition to Switzerland, the name Peier is also present in other countries across the world. It is most common in France, with 1,127 recorded bearing the name in 2019 according to l'Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques. It is also found in Belgium, Austria, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Brazil, and the United States, where there are 1,546 individuals registered with it in the census.

The origin of the name is not certain, but it may have derived from either the word 'pierre', meaning 'stone' in French, or from 'peire', a medieval term used to describe a local manorial official in France. Nevertheless, its current popularity continues to be associated with Valais and the surrounding areas of Switzerland.

Variations of the surname Peier

The surname Peier can have several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Peer and Piere. The German spelling of the surname is usually spelled as either Peer or Peir. Other spellings include Peeren, Pier, and Pierr.

The surname Peier can also be found under different surnames of similar origins. One of these names is Pieris, which is derived from the French form of the name. This French version can also be found in the spelling Peyri or Peyre. Another related surname is Peerless, which has its origin in German. The Portuguese version of Peier is also Peyres or Peyris.

In some circumstances, the surname has been Anglicized to be spelt as either Pierce or Pearce. In Ireland, the surname can be found spelt as either Pierce or Peirce. Another commonly identified variant of the name is Pears, which is a surname of Devon, England.

Similar sounding surnames that share the same origin as Peier include Peerke and Peersman. These variations all derive from the same root in Germanic language, and all surnames are typically associated with Germany.

In summary, the surname Peier can have several variant spellings or surnames of similar origins such as Peer, Piere, Pier, Pieris, Peerless, Peyri, Peyre, Pierce, Pearce, Pears, Peerke, and Peersman.

Famous people with the name Peier

• Johann Baptist Peierl (17th century Baroque composer)
• Erich Peier (mathematician)
• Thomas Peier (Head of Communications at Tony Blair Faith Foundation)
• Heinrich Peier (innovator and founder of the Solutia, Inc. chemical company)
• Paul Peier (ski mountaineer, athlete, and sports journalist)
• Konstantin Peier (writer, journalist, and civil activist)
• Robert Peier (graphic artist and student of Gerhard Richter)
• Erwin Peierl (chemistry professor at UC Berkeley)
• Hans-Ulli Peier (senator and lawyer)
• Jörg Peier (former handball player and head coach)

Other surnames

Peierl