Surname Meyerheinrich - Meaning and Origin
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Meyerheinrich: What does the surname Meyerheinrich mean?
Meyerheinrich is a German-language surname found mainly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is derived from the Old High German words "meiger", meaning "greater" or "superior", and "heinrich", meaning "lord of the lands". The combination of these two words literally translates to "great lord of the lands".
The name suggests that Meyerheinrich was a name given to someone who was of noble or aristocratic origin, usually implying a ranking in the upper echelons of society. It may also indicate that the person holding the name was a powerful landowner, or held some title of importance or privilege.
Records of the name in Germany date back to the 16th century, when it appeared in Bavaria, Saxony, and Thuringia. Since then, it has been found throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as in parts of France, the United States, Canada, and other countries where German immigrants settled.
The name is derived from a German-speaking region, suggesting an ancestry in the Germanic languages. This feeling is further reinforced by the literal translation of "great lord of the lands" which implies a certain level of prosperity or nobility in an area where German was spoken. As such, the surname Meyerheinrich carries a sense of history and heritage that reflects the Germanic origins of its holders.
Order DNA origin analysisMeyerheinrich: Where does the name Meyerheinrich come from?
The last name Meyerheinrich is most commonly found today in Germany. This German surname derives from the old personal names Meyer and Heinarich or Heinrich, which are German variants of the Hebrew name Meir (Yiddish) meaning "rejoicing" and Hagger (Hebrew) meaning "ruler of an army".
In Germany, the name Meyerheinrich is found most notably in the states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. It is often seen as a variation on the German last name Meyer. The surname is also frequently encountered in Switzerland and France.
The name has been around for centuries, but gained popularity in the 19th century when immigration into Germany surged, leading to an influx of names from other countries. By the 20th century, Meyerheinrich had become a well-known name in Germany, with thousands of families bearing it.
In addition to its resurgence in Germany, the last name Meyerheinrich is also found in the United States, especially in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio where immigrants from Germany settled in the 1800s. It is a name that has stayed with succeeding generations and can today be found throughout the eastern United States.
Variations of the surname Meyerheinrich
Meyerheinrich is an German patronymic surname of Jewish origin which stands as a combination of two independent names—Meyer and Heindrich. It can be written with various spelling variations which include Meierheinrich, Mairheinrich, Maierheinrich, Mayerheinrich, Mayrheinrich, Meirheinrich, Mairheinrich, Magerheinrich, Migerheinrich, Mayerhrinrich, Mairhrinrich, Maierhrinrich, Meirhrinrich, Meierhrinrich, Marhrinrich and even Maharhinrich.
The surname is derived from the German words “mey” meaning “bare” combined with the German personal name Heinrich, thus literally meaning “bare of Heinrich.” The given name Heinrich is the German form of Henry. This is often indicated by the pronunciation of hein as hay in contemporary processions of this surname.
The surname Meyerheinrich can be found in a variety of other surnames of Jewish origin. These surnames can include many forms of Meyer, such as Meier, Maier, Mayer, Mayr, Meir and Mair as well as Heindrich, Henrich, Heintz, Hentz and Heintrich. Each of these surnames appears independently, but they all have the same origin.
The most common spelling of the surname might vary depending on dialect. For example, in Yiddish it was commonly spelled Meirheinrich, while in Lithuanian it was commonly spelled Maierheinrich.
Today, family members who have the Meyerheinrich surname might not even know its origin as many have changed it to more culturally acceptable forms. Today, Meyerheinrich incorporation is seen in such surnames as Mellon, Mirsky, Merriam, Melvin, Mervis, Merkin and even Milton. Additionally, some families have also dropped the Meyerheinrich concept altogether, becoming just Richards or Richardsons instead.
In any case, given its Jewish origin, many bearers of the surname Meyerheinrich have probably spread out from Germany around the world, making it a truly global name with roots firmly planted in Jewish culture.
Famous people with the name Meyerheinrich
- Pete Ricketts: American politician who serves as the 40th governor of Nebraska.
- Harry Meyerheinrich: German politician who served as a member of the German Bundestag.
- Johann Meyerheinrich: German bankeer.
- Peter Meyerheinrich: German entrepreneur and investor.
- David Meyerheinrich: American actor and film director.
- August Friedrich Meyerheinrich: German politician and diplomat.
- Friedrich Wilhelm Meyerheinrich: German World War II aviator.
- Maria Meyerheinrich: German art historian.
- Hugo Meyerheinrich: German writer and theatre director.
- Emilie Meyerheinrich: German philanthropist.