Meyer (surname)


Meyer is a surname of English, Dutch, German, or Jewish origin or ancestry. Many branches of the Meyer family trace their origins to ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name can be derived from the Old English name "Maire", meaning "Mayor", or an officer in charge of legal matters. The name can also be derived from the German word "meiger", meaning "Mayor"; the name likely traces its origins to a wealthy landholder. There are various names that are connected by cognation in many instances. Among German Jews, the European surname "Meyer" can sometimes be converged with the similar sounding, though etymologically unconnected, Hebrew name "Meir", which means "one who shines" in Hebrew.

Geographical distribution

As of 2014, 41.3% of all known bearers of the surname Meyer were residents of Germany, 26.7% of the United States, 11.6% of South Africa, 7.6% of France, 3.4% of Switzerland, 1.4% of Brazil and 1.0% of Canada.
In Germany, the frequency of the surname was higher than national average in the following states: