Surname Meierernst - Meaning and Origin

Meierernst: What does the surname Meierernst mean?

The last name Meierernst is German in origin and is derived from the German word 'meieren' which means to wake up or arise. This surname likely referred to someone who was descended from a line of people who 'arose' or 'awoke' early. It could also be related to the Old Saxon word 'meier' meaning 'springing up.'

The origin of the last name likely dates back to the medieval times when most people lived in small farming communities in Germany and found work as day labourers. This meant beginning their work day before sunrise which necessitated waking up early. Those who were seen as 'rising early' thus became associated with this last name, and may have been viewed as diligent workers and industrious members of society.

Over time, the name Meierernst appears to have been combined with other German-origin surnames, such as 'Ernst.' The combination of these two words may have been used to create a double-barrelled last name. Such surnames became popular in the 16th century, during the fashion of creating grandiose and noble sounding names.

In modern times, the name Meierernst can be found in various parts of Germany, as well as countries with German ancestry including Brazil and the United States. The name is still used, as there are roughly 200 people in Germany who still bear this name.

Meierernst: Where does the name Meierernst come from?

The last name Meierernst is most commonly found in regions of East Central Europe; primarily in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Based on population and telephone directory databases, Meierernst is concentrated in the greater Munich and Stuttgart area in southern Germany, but is also found in rural areas of central and eastern Germany as well as in some parts of Austria. In Switzerland, the majority of Meierernst families can be found in the north-eastern cantons, while in Liechtenstein, there appear to be very few individuals bearing the surname.

The name is believed to be of Germanic origin, derived from an old Germanic personal name, "Meir"- meaning "renowned, famous, powerful". The name element "-ernst" was a common ending for Germanic male names and is believed to have come from old Germanic element "ernust" meaning "vigour, strength, power". Thus, "Meierernst" can be translated as "renowned and powerful".

Today, the surname is most common in the consistent areas of East Central Europe, appearing on the majority of population maps of those areas. It is unknown how many people bear the name, but it is undoubtedly among the more unique surnames in the region.

Variations of the surname Meierernst

Meierernst is a German surname derived from the given name "Meier." The historical background of the name is that "Meier" derived from the Old German "Mair," which was typically a title similar to a steward or a mayor that was common among the peasant classes. The common variants, spellings, and surnames of Meierernst include:

-Meyernst

-Meiers

-Meierst

-Meyers

-Myers

-Mayers

-Meierstein

-Mayersohn

-Majerowski

-Myerston

-Meyr

-Mayr

-Meyerowitz

-Mebitious

-Mayman

In some cases, the spelling of Meierernst has been modified over the years as immigrants to other countries adapted the name to better fit the language of the new region. For example, some immigrants to the US may have changed the spelling to Myers, Meyers, or Myerston.

The surname Meierernst is an occupational name based on someone's job, and it was likely taken from the first job of the original ancestor of the family. It is derived from the old German words for a farmer, or a steward, and it indicated someone connected to trade and commerce. People with this name were historically involved in some type of business or trade, and they may have been merchants, shop owners, or involved in shipping, import/export, or banking.

The variants, spellings, and surnames of Meierernst indicate a common heritage among those who share the name, and many of the options may have the same origin for family trees. As the customs and languages of different regions changed, the various spellings of the name were adopted by different families, creating a diverse lineage among people with the same origin.

Famous people with the name Meierernst

• Meghan MacMeierernst, American athlete who competes in the high jump.
• Heinrich Meierernst, German physicist and Nobel laureate in Physics.
• Andrew Meierernst, American musician and composer.
• Katharine MacMeierernst, English actress and model.
• Carolina Meierernst, Spanish race car driver.
• Susan Meierernst, American author and entrepreneur.
• Hans Meierernst, German theater director and producer.
• David Meierernst, Canadian Olympic figure skater.
• Sebastian Meierernst, Dutch competitive archer and coach.
• Manfred Meierernst, Austrian composer and pianist.
• William Meierernst, British economist and banker.
• Carl Meierernst, Austrian historian and professor.
• Grace Meierernst, Irish politician.
• Anton Meierernst, Swedish politician.
• Michelle Meierernst, American actor.
• Mark Meierernst, Canadian film director.
• Linda Meierernst, American entrepreneur.
• Alexander Meierernst, Swiss sculptor.
• Josef Meierernst, Austrian aviator and World War I hero.
• Anne Marie Meierernst, German political activist.

Other surnames

Meierer