Meier Surname: Origin and Coat of Arms
What does Meier mean, and where does it come from? Here is a brief introduction.
Origin of the Meier name
Meier is a German status name for a steward or bailiff who managed a lord's estate, from Middle High German meier, from Latin maior, "greater". Later it came to mean a tenant farmer. The spelling Meier is especially common in northern Germany and Switzerland.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Meier name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Meier name in Germany. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as Switzerland, the United States and Austria; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Meier family history
Order the full Meier history to read the records behind the name, with a Meier coat of arms painted for your family.
Meier name FAQ
What does the Meier name mean?
Steward, estate manager. Common variants include Meyer, Mayer, Maier.
Where does the Meier surname come from?
It originates in Germany, and is also found in Switzerland, the United States and Austria.
Is there a Meier coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Meier crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Meier coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Sources: Duden Familiennamen; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).