Surname Meller - Meaning and Origin

Meller: What does the surname Meller mean?

The surname Meller is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derived from an occupation. It is a variant of the surname Miller, originating from the occupation of a miller, one who owned or worked in a grain mill. This surname dates back to the Middle Ages, reflecting the social and economic development as roles or jobs became specialized. Like many surnames of occupational origin, it may or may not reflect the profession of the original bearer of the name. Today, the surname Meller is found in many countries, including Britain, Germany, and the United States, among families of various ethnic backgrounds. The name also subtly represents the agricultural tradition of societies where grain production and milling were crucial for sustenance and economy. As is common with occupational surnames, the spelling over time and across regions has changed, leading to multiple variations of the original name.

Meller: Where does the name Meller come from?

The surname Meller is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from an occupational name for a miller. In Old English, "mylen" meant 'mill' and "mylner" or “mellere” was used to indicate someone who works in a mill. The surname may have been applied to people who owned a mill or made their living by milling grain.

The Meller surname finds its roots in Cheshire, England, where the Meller family held a family seat from ancient times. Over the years, due to migration or other socio-economic factors, bearers of the Meller surname spread across to other parts of the British Isles and later across the Atlantic to North America.

Today, the surname Meller is not particularly common anywhere in the world, but most of its bearers are found in the United States, England, and to a lesser extent, Australia, Canada, and Germany. The surname has different variations due to regional pronunciations and spellings, so Mellers, Mellor, Mellors are considered related surnames. Because of its occupational origin, similar surnames also exist in other languages, like Müller in German, Meunier in French, Molinero in Spanish, or Molinaro in Italian.

Variations of the surname Meller

The surname Meller can be found in various forms and spellings depending on the geographic region and interpretation of origination. Variants of this surname include Mellor, Melor, Meler, Mealer, Mellar, Mellerd, and Melleur.

This surname also has common variations such as Mellars, Mellars, and Mellers. The use of an 's' at the end often indicates a patronymic naming tradition denoting "son of Meller."

There are also similar surnames like Miller, Müller (a German equivalent), Mulder (Dutch), Moulin (French), and Molinero (Spanish) which all have the same occupational origin, referring to a miller.

It's crucial to note that variations occurred mostly due to an era when spelling of names was not standardized. Therefore, the same individual might have been recorded as Meller in one record and Mellor in another.

Surname resemblances from other origins can include Mellere (Italian), Meler (Polish), and Melar (Scandinavian).

The spelling of surnames can often change over time and migration, with different branches of the same family choosing or adopting different spellings. This makes tracking genealogical history quite complex and fascinating at the same time.

Famous people with the name Meller

• Roman Meller: an Austrian actor, known for his roles in films such as Touch Me Not, Nobody Wants the Night, and The Legacy.
• Eric Meller: an American bobsledder and skeleton slider who competed in the 2014 Olympic Games.
• Charles Meller: a French playwright, celebrated for his adaptations of Molière's works.
• Sanna Meller: a Swedish filmmaker and visual artist, whose works touch upon topics such as technology, gender identity, and the environment.
• Graeme Meller: an English former footballer who played as a full-back for Brentford and Brentford Reserves.
• Zandra Rhodes: an English fashion designer, textile artist, and businesswoman who was formerly married to the late Clock Meller.
• Francoise Meller-Brandis: a French artist and sculptor whose works explore the relationship between human and non-human beings.
• Maria Meller: a Spanish actress, best known for her lead role in the feature-length film Celestina.
• Gilda Meller: an Argentine sculptor, active in the 1980s and 1990s.
• Louis Meller: an American composer and music producer, known for his work in electronic music.

Other surnames

MellenMellenbyMellenthienMellenthinMellentienMellentinMelletMellettMellette