Surname Mainert - Meaning and Origin
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Mainert: What does the surname Mainert mean?
The last name Mainert is a variant spelling of the German surname "Meinert" or "Meinhard." The first part of the surname is derived from the Old German words “mein” or "meinr," meaning "vigorous, strong" and “hard” which means “hardy, brave.” It was a common medieval German name for someone of brave, strong, or forceful characteristics, and the cognate name "Meinhard" was widespread throughout Europe in the 12th and 13th centuries.
The Mainert variation likely originated in the late 18th century when increased mobility resulted in more diverse last names. Variations on both the spelling of first names and last names became more frequent and “Mainert” was likely a result of incorrect or imprecise transcriptions when family names were recorded by officials or recorded in church records.
The name succeeded in taking root in many countries, including Germany, Austria, and the United States, where the surname was especially popularized by German immigrants who arrived from the 19th century onward. A coat of arms belonging to the Mainert family exists and is still used as a way to symbolize family heritage. It features a shield cut in half with a black top half and a red bottom half, the symbol of strength and valor. It is accompanied by five black stars, an Oak tree, and a rose, which embodies the family’s dedication to fairness and beauty.
Order DNA origin analysisMainert: Where does the name Mainert come from?
The Mainert surname is primarily found in Germany, where it is estimated to be the 40th most common surname. It is commonly found in the lower Rhine region of Germany, namely in North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also found in the adjacent countries such as France, Netherlands, and Luxembourg, though not as commonly as in Germany itself.
The root of the Mainert surname is the ancient Germanic name Mathias, a reference to Saint Matthew. It is believed that the surname Mainert likely began as an occupational name for a tenant of a Roman landowner named Mathias. Through centuries of migration to Germany, the name was adopted into the language and became a main surname.
Today, the Mainert surname is most commonly found in vast areas of Germany, particularly in the lower Rhine region. It is believed this surname was brought to the United States in the 19th century, primarily by German immigrants. This can be evidenced by the fact that Mainert surnames with German roots have been documented in the United States Census records for the past few decades. It is likely the Mainert surname is common in more areas outside of Germany and the United States, but like most average Western European surnames, it does not have a particularly widespread presence.
Variations of the surname Mainert
The surname Mainert is a German-originated surname which was primarily found in Germany, Austria, and Germany-related countries during the Early Modern era. It is derived from a combination of two words “Magin” (meaning powerful one) and “hart” (meaning strong). This surname has been used by numerous people over a few centuries and it comes in several variants, spellings, and surnames.
The most common variant of Mainert is Maynert, which is German for “mighty one”. Another variant is Maenner, which is derived from the original combination of Magin and Hart.
There are also variants and surnames of the same origin which are Maiden, Maynard and Maginard. Another variant is the French-derived Maillard, which is usually spelled as Mallard in English speaking countries.
Common spellings of this name include Meinert, Maynert, Mainhard, Meinhard, Maynerd, Maener, Mainard, Maenner, Maenhard, Menhard, and Manhard.
Surnames of the same origin include Mains, Manhart, Manhard, Mann, Maennerman, Menke, Mennen, Maines, Magnusson, Maingot, Manigot, Menard, and Manigault.
In conclusion, the surname Mainert has various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variations can be helpful for more accurate tracing of people with this surname.
Famous people with the name Mainert
- Jamie Mainert: He is a Canadian-born professional hockey player and has had a long career as a forward.
- Joseph Mainert: He was a Marine Corps Major and recipient of the Navy Cross for his bravery during the Second World War.
- Ferdinand Mainert: He was a German pastor and philosopher of the 19th century.
- Laura Mainert: She is a German film and TV actress who made her debut in 1999 in the series "Für alle Fälle Stefanie".
- Neale Mainert: He was a German-American doctor and chemist in the 19th century who invented a new method for producing dry chloroform.
- Alexander Mainert: He was a German composer in the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Bernhard Mainert: He was a German airman and recipient of the Iron Cross during the Second World War.
- Dr. J. Mainert: He was a 19th-century German doctor and author of a number of books on medical topics.
- August Mainert: He was a German zoologist and author of two books on the subjects of zoology and natural history in the 19th century.
- Tilman Mainert: He was a German theologian and pastor in the 16th century.