Surname Meierhans - Meaning and Origin
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Meierhans: What does the surname Meierhans mean?
The last name Meierhans is of German origin, and it is derived from the Middle High German words 'meier' and 'hans.' The term 'meier' generally means 'mayor' or 'lord of the manor,' while 'hans' is a diminutive form of the common name 'Johannes.' Therefore, 'Meierhans' roughly translates to 'Little Mayor John' or 'Little Lord John.'
The name was initially used as a designation of specific medieval court offices in many parts of the German-speaking world. In some cases, it was also given to a young man whose parents held these offices. In the modern age, the name has been found all over the world, and is sometimes found spelled in various ways.
The name Meierhans imparts a feeling of strength and leadership, as the job of a mayor or lord of the manor requires a great deal of responsibility and stewardship. It is also a reminder of the hard work and dedication necessary to keep a town running properly. This brings to mind images of someone who is dependable, reliable, and determined - all qualities of a great leader.
Order DNA origin analysisMeierhans: Where does the name Meierhans come from?
The last name Meierhans is a common name among the Swiss population, particularly in the German speaking region of the country. Historically, the name originates from the canton of Bern, where the first known mention of the name was recorded in a document from 1342. Records show that by the beginning of the 16th century some families had moved to the canton of Aargau, where it is still a common name today.
The last name is particularly common in rural parts of the canton of Aargau, where the Meierhans family began buying holdings and settlements in the early 1500s, settling in various villages and hamlets. Today, almost all Meierhans in Switzerland can trace their ancestry to the inhabitants of these rural villages.
Outside of Switzerland, the last name Meierhans is also relatively common; the name is found mostly in the United States, particularly in areas that were popular with Swiss migrants in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is also common among German-speaking countries such as Austria and Germany. In most countries, variants on the spelling – such as Meierhan, Meierhen and Myerhans – are also found.
Variations of the surname Meierhans
The surname Meierhans has both German and Swiss-German origins. It is spelled in different ways depending on the region and language in which it is used.
In Germany it is spelled Meierhans and is the most common form. Variations of this spelling include Meierehans, Meyrhans, and Mayerhans.
In Switzerland, the German spelling of Meierhans is usually adapted to the Swiss German language. As such, the surname is generally spelled Meyerränner or Meiränner. Variations to this spelling include Meieränner, Mairänner and Marränner.
Other variants of the surname Meierhans which are derived from the original German form include the surnames Meier, Meir, Meyer, Mair and Mayr.
Along with the surnames which are derived from the original German form, there are also variants which are of foreign origin such as Mayrhans, Myerhans, Munerhans, and Mullerhans. All of these are considered to be different spellings for the same surname.
The surname Meierhans is also related to several other surnames which do not originate in Germany. These include the Austrian surnames Meyerhofer, Meyerhofer Hofmann, and Maierhofer and the Italian surnames Marzano and Marzozo.
Many of the forms of the surname Meierhans can also be used as given names and the name is shared by numerous people in Central Europe.
In summary, the surname Meierhans has multiple spellings and forms, depending on the region in which it is used. Depending on the language and region in which the name is used, spellings may vary from Meyerränner and Meiränner in Switzerland to Meyrhans and Mayerhans in Germany to Meyerhofer, Meyerhofer Hofmann and Maierhofer in Austria and Marzano and Marzozo in Italy. Along with the German variants the surname also has foreign variants including Mullerhans, Mayrhans and Myerhans.
Famous people with the name Meierhans
- Bruno Meierhans, French-American Olympic fencer.
- Jerome Meierhans, French-American engineer and mathematician.
- Helene Meierhans, Olympic athlete and performer.
- Hans Meierhans, Swiss-American painter and sculptor.
- Julius Meierhans, Swiss-American engineer and inventor.
- Martin Meierhans, Swiss-American sociologist and professor.
- Valerie Meierhans, Swiss-American journalist and author.
- Wilhelm Meierhans, Swiss-American businessman and restaurateur.
- Alfred Meierhans, German-American chessmaster and philosopher.
- Arnold Meierhans, German-American artist and sculptor.
- Heinz Meierhans, German-American journalist and author.
- Heinrich Meierhans, German-American architect and builder.
- Herbert Meierhans, German-American bank chairman and executive.
- Johann Meierhans, German-American industrialist and inventor.
- Joerg Meierhans, German-American businessman and entrepreneur.
- Urs Meierhans, German-American fashion designer and entrepreneur.
- Christopher Meierhans, Dutch-Canadian entrepreneur and investor.
- Johannes Meierhans, Dutch-Canadian economist and philanthropist.