Surname Van Metre - Meaning and Origin
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Van Metre: What does the surname Van Metre mean?
The last name Van Metre is of Dutch origin. It is an example of the many Dutch surnames that come from place names, occupations, patronymics, or other descriptive characteristics. The prefix "Van" was commonly used in Dutch names and literally means "from," denoting a geographical origin. The term "Metre" is not straightforward in its meaning, but it could possibly be related to the Dutch word 'meter' which means 'measurer' in English. Thus, in its entirety, the name Van Metre could potentially mean 'from measurer', implying that the family could have been involved in trades related to measurement such as tailoring or land surveying. Names like these often originated in the Middle Ages to distinguish between persons with the same first name by indicating their place of origin or occupation. However, it's important to note that without specific historical or genealogical documentation, the interpretation of the meaning is speculation.
Order DNA origin analysisVan Metre: Where does the name Van Metre come from?
The surname Van Metre is primarily found in the United States today. The surname dates back to the Netherlands and is generally Dutch in origin. It has various spellings, such as Van Meter, Van Mater or Van Mater, and is mostly concentrated in the North and Midwestern areas of the US.
Van Metre is particularly common in the states of Iowa, Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma. The name is also seen in California, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York, among other states. The areas with the highest density of Van Metres are mainly rural and include Scott and Linn counties in Iowa.
The surname is found in the small town of Van Meter, Iowa, which is named after the Van Meter family. The family settled in the area in the mid-1850s. William F. Van Meter was an officer in the Civil War.
The surname can also be found outside the US. It is particularly popular in the Netherlands and in France. There are towns in France named Van Meter and one village in the Netherlands that goes by the same name.
Van Metre family members have made significant contributions to their respective countries. Samuel Van Meter was a Brigadier General in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, Abraham Van Metre was one of the surveyors of the original city of Washington, DC, and Henry Van Metre was a teacher and active promoter of education in early 20th century Iowa.
Today, the Van Metre name is held by thousands of people around the world. It is particularly seen in the United States, where it continues to be scattered throughout the north and midwestern states.
Variations of the surname Van Metre
The surname Van Metre (or Van Meteren, VanMeter, Van Meter, VanMeter, Vanmater, Vandematres, Vandemetere, Vandemetre, Vandemeter, Vandeneters, Vanmaters, Vandemeetres, and VanMetres), is of Dutch (Netherlandic) origin, and is derived from the preposition "van" (meaning "of" or "from") and Metre (short form for Pieter, the Dutch form of Peter), thus making Van Metre from a patronymic surname.
The spelling variants of Van Metre can range from Van Meteren to Vandemetere, each of which has slightly different phonetic and orthographic pronunciations. However, some people prefer spelling the surname without the patronymic suffix such as “Metre”, or “Metten”, “Met”, or “Metres”.
The surname has been Anglicized as “Van Meter,” which translates to "from Peter.” It can also be Indonesianized as “Van Metera” or “Van Metra”. The variants of the surname are numerous and can vary depending on the country or region, so it may be wise to research all the possible variants to find the right one.
When researching this surname, be aware that some of the variants may refer to two distinct families, the Van Metre and the Van Meter.
In conclusion, Van Metre is a Dutch patentymic surname, and thus there are many variants to it, being anglicized or indonesianized. However, some may refer to two distinct families and thus it is critical to research all variants to make sure the right one is identified.
Famous people with the name Van Metre
- Kate Van Metre: American professional golfer
- James H. Van Metre, Jr.: American civil engineer and business executive
- Dick Van Metre: American former professional football player
- Mary Van Metre: American politician and a Democratic member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
- Stacy Van Metre: American actress, screenwriter, producer and director
- William Van Metre: American politician of the Democratic party
- Joseph F. Van Metre: American businessman and civic leader
- Leslie Van Metre: American powerboat racer
- Roger Van Metre: American lawyer and real estate investor
- Donald C. Van Metre: American politician and former leader of the Massachusetts House of Representatives