Surname Meiering - Meaning and Origin
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Meiering: What does the surname Meiering mean?
The last name Meiering (also spelled “Meierink”) is of German origin and is found most commonly in the Netherlands and Belgium. It is derived from the German word “meier” meaning a bailiff or mayor, so it likely refers to an ancestor who held that title or was associated with it. In some cases, the name may also signify a physical attribute, such as where the ancestor had a short stature and was referred to as “der meier” or “the little mayor”.
Descendants of Meiering families today are found as far afield as Canada, the United States, and Australia, with many still living in Germany and its neighbouring countries. However, the name is relatively rare and so the chances of encountering someone with that exact surname elsewhere in the world are slim.
The frequency of the name Meiering in Germany has shifted over time in accordance with genealogical trends: in the mid-20th century it was more prevalent in the northern part of the country, while in more recent times it is found more often in the western states.
The Meiering surname encompasses a wide range of potential ancestral lines, which can be traced through records such as birth and death certificates, and other genealogical materials. As such, it is an interesting surname to research and may provide insight into a family’s past.
Order DNA origin analysisMeiering: Where does the name Meiering come from?
The last name Meiering is quite common in Germany, where its usage dates back to the 17th century. The majority of people with this surname live in the northern regions, from the Bavarian Alps to the deindustrialised city of Berlin.
In Austria, the name has been in use since the Middle Ages, and more recently in parts of the Czech Republic. It is also found among German-speaking ethnic minorities in Catholicism-majority areas, such as Hungary, Poland, and Romania.
In the United States and Canada, it is most frequently found among the descendants of German immigrants, especially in the Midwest. Roughly 0.3% of the population of North America has the surname, amongst the highest number of any surname.
In Australia, Meiering is found predominantly in the south-eastern states, especially Victoria and New South Wales. The majority of these bearers are the descendants of Australian-born children of German immigrants.
In total, the global distribution of the name Meiering is roughly evenly split between the Germanic countries of Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Meiering
Meiering is a patronymic surname meaning “son of Meer” or “son of Meier”. It can be found in records in German, Dutch, Polish, and Danish spellings and variations.
The German spelling includes Mayer, Meyer, Meier, Meir, Mair, Maier, Mayr, Mairing, Mairer, Meirich, Meirer, Mairer, Mering, and Meiring.
The Dutch spelling includes Maer, Maers, Meer, Meers, Maars, Meires, and Merens.
The Polish spelling includes Majer, Majera, and Maiera.
The Danish spelling includes Mayer, Merey, and Meyr.
The variants also include variant spellings and variations such as Myer, Mires, Meyers, Meyersen, and Mayers.
The surnames of similar origin include Mayor, Mair, Mayers, Mayoras, Maestri, and Mayerhoff.
Meiering can also be found as a Jewish surname with spelling variations such as Meyerling, Meierling, Maierling, and Mairling.
Overall, there are numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Meiering. It is important to thoroughly research any variant you may come across and to determine the origin of the name to recognize the differences between similar surnames and to ensure accuracy when recording family names.
Famous people with the name Meiering
- Urs Meiering: a German actor, director, author, and visual artist.
- Dieter Meiering: a German painter, sculptor, and installation artist.
- Frederic Meiering: a Dutch artist and photographer.
- Erwin Meiering: a German photographer and video artist.
- Trude Meiering: a German opera singer.
- Bernhard Meiering: a German organist, choir director, and author.
- Wilhelm Meiering: a German classical composer.
- Ulrich Meiering: a German composer and musician.
- Sabine Meiering: a German alpine skier who won a bronze medal in the 1980 Winter Olympics.
- Günter Meiering: a German composer and music educator.