Surname Meierkord - Meaning and Origin
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Meierkord: What does the surname Meierkord mean?
The surname Meierkord (also spelled Meirkord) is a German surname thought to be based on a combination of two words – "Meier," which translates to either mayor or the landowner of a village, and "Kord," which translates to either cord or rope. As a result, the literal meaning of Meierkord implies a mayor or landowner who is in charge of trade and establishing borders (using rope).
The origin of the name is believed to have been derived from medieval times when village borders were set using rope and it was the mayor’s duty to oversee this. In some cases, he was responsible for maintaining the protective wall surrounding the settlement. This concept was important in establishing the methods for governing and protecting the community.
The last name Meierkord is found in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and records of its use have been found dating back to the 14th century. It is a rare surname; not many people share it and it is often mispronounced. Today, those with the last name Meierkord usually are descended from one of the many German families that inhabited the region in the past.
The meaning of the last name Meierkord is an interesting one that points to the more historic usage of medieval governance. This surname is a reminder of the importance of those who protected and ran their community during the Middle Ages, and serves as a source of distinctiveness for those who carry it today.
Order DNA origin analysisMeierkord: Where does the name Meierkord come from?
The last name Meierkord is a common German surname, with its roots in the North German region. Meierkord can be found in many parts of Germany, including Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Bavaria, and the palatinate area. It is also a popular name in areas of Germany that are now part of Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
Meierkord is a derivation of the word "Meyer", originating from the Middle High German meier, which means "Administrator of an Estate". This explains why several generations of Meierkord families were often found in positions of power and influence in pre-modern Germany.
The popularity of the Meierkord name continues today, and it is also found throughout the world in countries like the United States, Canada, England, Brazil, and Australia which have large numbers of German expatriates. According to a surname study, Meierkord is the 614th most popular last name in Germany, and the 12,072nd most common last name in the United States.
Overall, it appears that the Meierkord last name is quite common, and has continued to weather the passage of time. Whether in modern Germany or expatriate countries around the world, it is sure to be a fixture for generations to come.
Variations of the surname Meierkord
The surname Meierkord is a German patronymic surname derived from the given name “Meier,” meaning “mayor”. It is also spelled Mayerkord, Meyerkord and Meirkord. It originated in Northwestern Germany and is still found in large concentrations in this region of the world.
Variants of the surname Meierkord can also be found in other European countries as migration to Europe has been documented since the 15th century. In the Netherlands, an alternative spelling is denoted by spelling the surname in the Dutch tradition as Meiijer-Kort. In Poland, variants of the same surname are found spelled as Majerek or Mayerka (both pronunciations of the surname include a hard “k” sound as opposed to the traditionally German pronunciation of “k” as an “h” sound).
In Denmark, the surname is spelled as Maier-Kords and in Sweden variants of the surname include Maierkordt, MaierKort and MeierKord. Variants of similar surnames found in Hungary include Mayerkorda, Mayerhorda and quartered versions such as Mayerhorda and Mayerkorta.
In Spain, a variant of the surname is found spelled as Mayercord. This variant is quite common in the Aragon region, which borders the Pyrenees mountains in Northern Spain. Finally, alternative spellings of the surname are also found in France, Switzerland, and Austria. In France, it is spelled Meyercord. In the Swiss/Alpine region it is spelled Myrcord, Maicorc, or Maicherc, while in Austria it is spelled as Mayerberg or Mayerhart.
Famous people with the name Meierkord
- Benjamin Meierkord: German international footballer playing for Bundesliga side Schalke 04.
- Claire Meierkord: award-winning American printmaker and sculptor.
- Esther Meierkord: German operatic soprano whose repertoire included Wagner and Strauss operas.
- Gunter Meierkord: renowned German biologist and ornithologist.
- Hans Joachim Meierkord: German musician and musicologist known for his contributions to the organ literature.
- Konrad Meierkord:German classical pianist and composer.
- Rainer Meierkord: German modern painter, known for his abstract expressionist abstract works.
- Thomas Meierkord: German jurist and politician.
- Wilhelm Meierkord: German British scientist and professor who made a substantial contribution to facial plastic surgery.