Surname Meisterjahn - Meaning and Origin
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Meisterjahn: What does the surname Meisterjahn mean?
The last name Meisterjahn is a Germanic surname thought to have originated with a tradesperson or artisan associated with the meister rank. Though the literal translation of the name is “master of yew trees,” scholars believe the surname is more likely to have been adopted by a highly regarded craftsperson. Meister, derived from the Latin magister, translates to “master” or “teacher,” and jahn is likely a derivative of Jan, the traditional early Germanic form of John. The meister title itself had several meanings, including an individual of great talent for a certain craft.
In many Germanic locales, craftsmen were important to their communities for both their skills as well as their business acumen. A meister ranking was an honor bestowed upon its recipient, and was in fact likened to the modern-day PhD. An individual awarded the meister title could build a respected reputation within society and his peers, as well as a successful business.
Meisterjahn is thought to be the occupational surname of one such craftsperson—someone of such skill that he was given the title Master of Yew Trees. While it is difficult to confirm the historical accuracy of such a name, it is plausible that its originator was a tradesperson who was recognized and respected among his peers for his considerable abilities.
Order DNA origin analysisMeisterjahn: Where does the name Meisterjahn come from?
The last name Meisterjahn is commonly found in Germany and some areas of Central Europe. The surname Meisterjahn is of German origin and is derived from the personal name Meister or the profession of meister, which translates to means "master".
In the 1880s, high numbers of the Meisterjahn surname were present all over Germany. Records indicate that Meisterjahn was among the top 50 most common surnames at that time. Since then, the Meisterjahn occurrence has decreased due to emigration, but the name is still well-distributed throughout Germany.
It is also present in some parts of the Baltic states, Scandinavia, the Czech Republic, and Austria. In addition, Meisterjahn has been increasingly found in the United States since the 1800s, mainly due to German immigration.
Today, Meisterjahn can still be found throughout Germany, with concentrations in the major cities and their surrounding areas. It is still present in some of the other countries mentioned above, although the frequency of this name in those areas has decreased over time.
In the United States, the last name Meisterjahn is still quite common. It is still clustered heavily in certain regions, such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, which were popular destinations for German immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Variations of the surname Meisterjahn
Meisterjahn is a German surname of noble origin, believed to be derived from an occupational surname for a master craftsman. Its variants include Maisteriohn, Maisterjahn, Meisteriohn, Meisterohn, Maastreiohn, Maastrejahn, Meastreiohn, Meastrejahn, and Maestreiohn, among others.
In some areas, the surname is popularly spelled Maisternohn, Maisteriohn, Maestereohn, Maisterjahn, Meisternohn, Meisteriohn, Meistereohn, Meisterjahn, Maesteriohn, Maestreohn, Maesterohn, Maestrejahn, Meisterohn, Meastreohn, and Meastrejahn. In other areas, variants such as Maister, Meister, Mastrich, Meistrich, Maestre, Meastre, Maunch, and Monk are also used.
Surnames derived from Meisterjahn include Maister, Meister, Mastrich, Maistern, Meistern, Maisteren, Maisteron, Meisteron, Maistron, Maistreen, and Meisternion.
Meisterjahn variants are also common among immigrants to America, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries. In the United States, they are frequently spelled Masterjohn, Masterlyon, Masteroyan, Masterson, and Masterjahn.
In the United Kingdom, common variations include Meastorlon, Masterelon, Maistaron, Masterahan, Measterhan, Maisterhen, and Meistherhan. In Canada, variants include Meistreon, Meastrian, Maisterinn, and Maistrahn, among others.
Famous people with the name Meisterjahn
- Tim Meisterjahn: Tim Meisterjahn is a German professional basketball player currently playing for FC Bayern Munich. He was born in 1988 in Karlsruhe, Germany, and he is 2.09m tall.
- Eric Meisterjahn: Eric Meisterjahn was a German-born American composer and performer, active during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Born in 1860, Eric studied music at Heidelberg University before emigrating to the United States in 1889.
- Emil Meisterjahn: Emil Meisterjahn was a German industrialist who ran a chemical factory in Stuttgart during the mid-nineteenth century. He was renowned for his experiments in developing new types of dyes and was responsible for the discovery of aniline dyes.
- Helmut Meisterjahn: Helmut Meisterjahn was a German fencer who competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. He won the bronze medal in the sabre event.
- Hertel Meisterjahn: Hertel Meisterjahn was a German musician and composer, active in the late nineteenth century. He was born in Bremen, and he is best known for composing the anthem of the United German Societies of Southern Oregon.
- Berthold Meisterjahn: Berthold Meisterjahn was a German-born American politician who served as a delegate to the United States Congress from New York. He was born in Lüdersburg, Germany in 1861, and emigrated to the United States in 1888.