Surname Messerli - Meaning and Origin
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Messerli: What does the surname Messerli mean?
The last name Messerli is an occupational surname of Swiss origin. It is derived from the Middle High German “messere” meaning knife, referring to someone who made knives or was a knife sharpener. It is likely that the ancestors of those who bear this surname are from a small medieval commune on the northern slopes of the Appenzell region of Switzerland. In days gone by, the Messerlis were renowned knife makers whose swords and blades were in demand by the upper classes, both from foreign lands and local nobility.
The Messerli family is closely linked with the Swiss history and culture and, even today, their legacy can be found throughout the country. The coat of arms of Appenzell still features a Messerli-style knife; a tribute to this long-standing tradition.
The name Messerli is a true reflection of the hardworking and tenacious spirit of the Swiss people. Those who bear it are recognized for their strength of character and use of skill and craftsmanship in all of their work. Even today, the Messerli name is synonymous with reliability and honest craftsmanship. Messerlis are noted for their loyalty and open-mindedness, traits which have helped them become successful throughout the world.
Order DNA origin analysisMesserli: Where does the name Messerli come from?
The Messerli family name is of German-Swiss origin and today is most commonly found in the Swiss cantons of Bern, Fribourg, and Valais. It is also common in southern Germany, especially in the former Swiss enclave of Vorarlberg, which is part of the Austrian state of Tyrol.
The Messerli name originates from the Old German word meser, meaning cheese. It was originally an occupational name given to dairy makers and cheese-sellers. Although it is likely that the Messerli name was introduced to central Switzerland during the Middle Ages by migrating cheese makers from Germany, records indicate that the first Messerlis resided in the Emmental area of Switzerland as early as the 14th century.
Today, there are still dozens of Messerli families living in Switzerland, primarily in the aforementioned cantons. There are also Messerlis living in many other European countries, including Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Messerlis are also commonly found in the United States, where large numbers of Swiss immigrants settled and made their homes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Messerli name is relatively rare but nonetheless prominent in Swiss society, with several prominent figures bearing the name, such as the 18th-century Swiss botanist Johann Jordan Messerli and the 20th-century Swiss architect Gustave Apollinaire Messerli.
Variations of the surname Messerli
Messerli is a Swiss-German surname derived from a mediaeval Latin term meaning „knife” or „blade”. One of the main variants of this name is Messerly, however there are also several other Latin and German variations, including Maser, Measerly, Messer, Messerl, Messerlee, Messerley, Messerschmid, Meserle, Messgerli, Messier and Messler.
Most Messerli/Messerlys today are thought to have descended from a Johann Mezler, who was born in Berne in 1565. His descendants probably adopted the name Messerli as early as the early 1700s.
In the US, Messerley, Meserley, Messerl and Messerlee are the most common spellings of the Messerli surname. Other spellings in the US include Mayzerly, Messerlee, Messler and Messley, while in Canada, variations include Maser and Messier.
In Europe, the most common variations include Messerle, Messerschmid, Messgerli, Meiserle, Messier and Messler. Messerli/Messerly is also common in Russia and other Eastern European countries, where it is often spelled as Meserly.
In conclusion, Messerli is a very old Swiss-German surname that is still used widepread today. It has several variants, including Messerly, Maser, Measerly, Messer, Messerl, Messerlee, Messerley, Messerschmid, Meserle, Messgerli, Messier and Messler, as well as localized versions such as Mayzerly and Meserly.
Famous people with the name Messerli
- Will Messerli: Swiss alpine skier
- Sebastian Messerli: actor
- Cornelius Messerli: American artist
- Mark Messerli: American producer and CEO
- Rainer Messerli: Swiss entrepreneur
- Mike Messerli: Hockey Hall of Fame inductee
- Flavio Messerli: Swiss soccer player
- Lenore Messerli: author and Pentagon analyst
- Franz Messerli: Swiss politician
- Walter Messerli: Swiss artist