Surname Meierhof - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Meierhof: What does the surname Meierhof mean?
The last name Meierhof is derived from the German word meaning 'farmstead of the mayor'. It was originally used as a topographic name for someone who lived with near the residence or estate of a mayor or prominent figure.
The earliest record of the Meierhof name dates back to the year 1390 in the south-west of Germany, when a certain Pagan Meirhof first appeared in a legal document from the Bavarian region of Oberpfalz.
Being one of the oldest existing German surnames, the Meierhof family have boast an impressive legacy, with many of its members taking prominent positions of influence and power throughout history.
Most notably, the late 19th century saw two members of the family reach the very pinnacle of the German Aristocracy; In 1870, Moritz von Craelitz-Meierhof was granted the title of Baron, and in 1872, his brother Ferdinand von Meierhof was elevated to the rank of Count.
Today, the Meierhof name is more commonly found on the streets of Germany, and in other areas of Europe where German heritage and culture has been adopted. Despite not being as powerful as its ancestors, the name still retains its legacy and prestige, and is a modern-day reminder of how influential and important the family was throughout its long and distinguished history.
Order DNA origin analysisMeierhof: Where does the name Meierhof come from?
The last name Meierhof is a surname common to many areas in the German-speaking world, particularly in Germany and Austria. It is a variant of the German name Meier, derived from the Old High German meilar, meaning “workman banker” or “landowner”. The prefix “Meierhof” means “estate of the Meier”.
Today, the name Meierhof can be found throughout Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. It is especially common in the northern, central, and western regions of Germany and in Austria’s Tirol region. It is also common in emigrant communities in the United States, and a small number of people with the surname can be found in various countries of Europe and in South America. For example, in the United States the 2010 Census reported the presence of over 500 people with the last name Meierhof, with the majority of them living in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
In Germany, the Meierhofs are mainly distributed across the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and Schleswig-Holstein.
The use of the name Meierhof as a personal surname in Germany dates back to at least the 16th century. In a record of the marriage of Rappolt and Anna, daughter of Meyerhof and Anna, dated 27 April 1577 in Schluchtern, Hesse, the spelling of the name is recorded as “Meierhof”. This is one of the earliest recorded examples of the name's use in Germany.
Variations of the surname Meierhof
The surname Meierhof is an alternative spelling of Meierhoff, which is an occupational surname derived from the German word meier meaning ‘mayor’ and hof meaning ‘court’, making it a compound of two words used to describe a local official who lived and worked at a court.
The surname can also be spelled as Meiershof, Meiershoff, Meyershof, Meyershoff or Meyhof. Some common variants which have evolved over time include Meyerhoff, Meerhoff, Meerhof, Merhoff, Maierhof, Myerhoff and Myerhof. Some spellings have become more localized, with variations such as Meierhof being specifically found in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, while other variants such as Myerhoff are more common in other European countries including the Netherlands and the Scandinavian countries.
Common surnames which evolved from the original Meierhof or Meierhoff include Beyerhoff, Frerichhoff, Holthoff, Komhoff, Millerhoff, Radehoff, Ritterhoff, Rüthoff and Schleierhof. Some of these are found with a “d” suffix, such as Beyerdoff, Frerichdoff, Holthdoff and Schleierdoff which may indicate that these individuals held a prominent and respected position in their community.
No matter the variant of the surname, they all evolved from a common origin that dates back to at least the 1500s and many individuals today can trace their roots back to this origin. Whether it’s spelled Meierhof, Meyershoff, Myerhoff, or any other, this surname is steeped in history.
Famous people with the name Meierhof
- Falko Meierhof: a German professor and senior researcher in the field of production engineering at the University of Kaiserslautern in Germany.
- William Meierhof: a noted American Cinematographer and Director known for his work on TV shows such as Stranger Things, Parks and Recreation, and The Office.
- Voormez Meierhof: a Dutch cyclist who competed in a number of races during the 1970s and 80s.
- Stephanie Meierhof: a German composer and organist most well known for her works for organ and other instruments.
- Emilie Meierhof: a German alpine skier who competed in the Olympics in 1988, representing East Germany in the Women's Slalom event.
- Anja Meierhof: a professional German swimmer who competed in the 2012 London Olympics.
- Uwe Meierhof: a German track and field athlete and Olympic bronze medalist in the 800 m event.
- Johann Meierhof: a Swiss artist and printer most widely known for his lithographs, frescoes, and wood carvings.
- Max Meierhof: a German engineer, physicist, and inventor who was a pioneering proponent of the use of radio in aviation.
- Georg Meierhof: a German doctor, most notably known for his work on the development of X-ray imaging.