Surname Soyer - Meaning and Origin
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Soyer: What does the surname Soyer mean?
The last name Soyer is of French origin and is a derivative of the Latin Personal Name "Severus". It is thought to derive from the root "sever" which could be translated the Latin for "ferocious" or "stern" and was used as a nickname for a person with such qualities.
The surname Soyer today is common in France and other French speaking countries, such as Belgium and Switzerland. In France the name is mainly found in the department of Aime and Savoie. There are also significant numbers in other French regions such as Alsace and Auvergne.
In the United States, Soyer is a relatively rare name, but there is still a considerable presence of the name in some parts of the country. For example the name is relatively prominent in large urban areas such as Chicago and in states such as New York.
The surname Soyer conveys a sense of strength and determination, as its origin implies a person of harsh and rigid ideology. It can also be seen as a symbol of loyalty, as the surname is associated with steadfastness and reliability.
Order DNA origin analysisSoyer: Where does the name Soyer come from?
The last name Soyer is believed to have originated in France, and is still most common in the French-speaking countries of Europe today. Most contemporary Soyer families are found in France (especially in the departments of Pas-de-Calais and Alsace), Switzerland, and Belgium, where it is particularly concentrated in the Brussels-Capital Region, the provinces of Hainaut, Namur, and Liege. It is also found quite commonly in the French Antilles (72% of individuals with the last name Soyer in the French Antilles are of Martinican origin) as well as Luxembourg, Italy, and the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries of Latin America.
The name is not considered common in the United States or Canada, though there are a number of individuals with the name living in both countries. In 2020, there were just over 2,200 individuals with the last name Soyer in the United States, spread across 38 states. In Canada, the surname is found in considerably lower numbers, with an estimated 400 individuals. The majority of individuals with the last name Soyer in both countries are descendants of French immigrants who settled in these countries in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Variations of the surname Soyer
Soyer is a French surname that is believed to have originated from the French verb, soyer, which means to be or become. This surname is found in French speaking countries primarily, but has several variant spellings and relatives surnames.
The most common spelling for Soyer is Soyer, which is also seen as Soier or Soir. Other spellings vary by region but include Soyez, Soueyre, Souyer, Souyere, Soere, Souyré, Suyer, and Soyer. These variants are generally found in France and the Maghreb (North African countries) where French is spoken.
In the Franco-German border area, the surname Sojer is often seen, which is a shortened version of the French spelling. This version can also be seen in its Eastern European variants: Sojer, Sojka, and Sojko.
A related surname found in Quebec is Soueys. This is derived from the French spelling and was created for French-speaking immigrants to Canada who used it as an anglicised version of the surname.
At its core, all the variants stem from the original French verb and have all adopted similar meanings and spellings. No matter the spelling, they all share the same origins and root meaning.
Famous people with the name Soyer
- Alexis Soyer: French chef in Victorian England who is credited with popularizing the first modern version of a flare(-top) stove.
- Spencer P.J. Soyer: English paediatric neurologist and professor emeritus of clinical child health at University of Glasgow.
- Arnold Soyer: Franco-American painter and sculptor of the late 19th and early 20th century.
- Lyle Soyer: American archivist and education specialist with a Master’s degree in historical administration who worked as the digital archivist for Disney.
- Georgette Soyer: French-American puppeteer who was the daughter of the late French puppet master Alphonse Goldin and was known for performing live shows on an acclaimed television series.
- Kelly Soyer: Canadian professional figure skater and figure skating coach.
- Charles Soyer: French illustrator, painter and engraver who frequently produced artworks for stamp designs.
- Curtis Soyer: American artist who works almost exclusively with oil paint and is also a life-drawing teacher.
- Matan Soyer: Israeli rhythmic gymnast and gold medalist in the 2017 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships.
- Josef Soyer: Austrian painter of religious images who specialized in Austrian baroque and medieval religious cultural themes.