Surname Sayer - Meaning and Origin

Sayer: What does the surname Sayer mean?

The surname Sayer is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derives from the Old English pre 7th Century "sagere", a term for a professional reciter, story teller, or minstrel. This shows that the original bearers of this name probably held such an occupation. Known as an occupational surname, it is formed by the position held by the name's initial bearer in society. Therefore, a person may have been identified by their profession or occupation and eventually, this name became hereditary. Alternative spellings or related surnames include Say, Saye, Sayers, and Seers. This surname is popular in England and also found in the United States and Canada.

Sayer: Where does the name Sayer come from?

The last name Sayer can be found in multiple countries across the world today. It is most prevalent in England, where it is recorded as being the 5,105th most common surname. Sayer is particularly common in the counties of Wiltshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk. The surname can also be found across the United States, particularly in Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania. It is the 2,476th most common surname in the United States.

In addition to the countries mentioned above, the surname Sayer is also frequently encountered in Scotland. It is the 3,377th most common name in the country and is especially prevalent in Lanarkshire.

The name Sayer is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English ‘seiðer’ or ‘sægere’, meaning ‘singer’, ‘reciter’, or ‘scribe’. It can also be traced to the Old German language, derived from ‘sagari’, which again means ‘singer’ or ‘reciter’.

The name is also present in Wales and Australia, as well as in France, where it is recorded as being the 40,099th most common surname.

When tracing the origins of the surname Sayer, the various variations of the name should also be taken into account, such as Sayor, Seyor and Seer.

Variations of the surname Sayer

The surname Sayer is an English-language occupational name likely derived from the Middle English “saier,” which means “sawyer” (a person who saws timber). Variations on this name can include variations in spelling and in surname, and may include Sayre, Sayers, Sayr, Sailor, Saweyer, Sawer, Seyrer, Seyere, Seymor, Seymorr, Seymorre, Seymore, Sawyare, Sayres, Sayrre, Sayrres, Seyar, Seyir, Seyirr, Seyarres, Sachar, Saiceur, and Saicurr.

The most common spelling variation of Sayer is Sayre. Though the spelling is similar, Sayre is not as frequently seen as Sayer. It likely evolved as people in different areas—with different accents and dialects—began to pronounce the name differently.

Additionally, many surnames containing the word “Sayer” were either changed on arrival to the United States by immigrants, or have simply evolved over time. A prime example of this would be Sailor or Seymorr. English immigration records in the late 19th century sometimes recorded the names as Saileur, Seymore, and Sayrres, though they are all variations of the same surname.

Ultimately, there are many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Sayer. The primary spelling is Sayer, though Sayre is also commonly seen. Variations may include Sayre, Sayers, Sayr, Sailor, Saweyer, Sawer, Seyrer, Seyere, Seymor, Seymorr, Seymorre, Seymore, Sawyare, Sayres, Sayrre, Sayrres, Seyar, Seyir, Seyirr, Seyarres, Sachar, Saiceur, and Saicurr.

Famous people with the name Sayer

• Leo Sayer: British-Australian singer-songwriter, musician, and entertainer.
• Peter Sayer: British author and journalist.
• Rocky Sayer: American film director, film producer, and screenwriter.
• Diane Sayer: American poet and folk artist.
• Naomi Sayer: Australian author and illustrator.
• Paula Sayer: Former British Member of Parliament.
• Michelle Sayer: American film producer.
• William Sayer: British playwright and theatre director.
• Jimmy Sayer: English professional golfer.
• Graham Sayer: British barrister and former Member of Parliament.
• Christina Sayer: American singer-songwriter and producer.
• Brian Sayer: Current American professional football player.
• Chris Sayer: American film and television actor.
• Lynn Sayer: Former American basketball player.
• Keith Sayer: English former professional footballer.
• James Sayer: Former professional Australian rules footballer.
• Thomas Sayer: American former professional pool player.
• Tony Sayer: Former English professional footballer.
• Lewis Sayer: Former British Member of Parliament.
• John Sayer: Former English racing cyclist.

Other surnames

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