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Show ContentsMeyer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The many generations and branches of the Meyer family can all place the origins of their surname with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name reveals that an early member worked as a person who held the office of mayor. The surname was originally derived from the Old English word maire, which referred to the officer who was in charge of executing summonses and other legal matters. Therefore, the original bearer of the surname Meyer held the office of Mayor. 1

Early Origins of the Meyer family

The surname Meyer was first found in Cheshire at Mere, a township, in the parish of Rosthern, union of Altrincham, hundred of Bucklow. The place name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was first listed as Mera. 2

Literally, the place name means "(place at) the pool or lake," from the Old English word "mere." 3 Alternatively, the surname could have originated at Mere in Wiltshire, a market-town and parish, and the head of a union, in the hundred of Mere. This parish was listed in the Domesday Book, but with the current spelling of Mere. 2

In this case, "the name of this place is derived from the Saxon word Mæra, signifying bounds or limits, and indicates its situation on the borders of the counties of Wilts, Somerset, and Dorset. In 1253, permission was given by Henry III. to Richard, Earl of Cornwall, to build and fortify a castle on his manor of Mere, and the manor has ever since been attached to the duchy of Cornwall. " 4

The family was listed in the Roll of Battle Abbey as companions to William the Conqueror. "The descendants of this Norman knight occupied a prominent position in Staffordshire, in the time of the early Plantagenets. William de Mere occurs as High Sheriff of that county, temp. Edward II., and in the next reign, Peter de la Mere filled the Speaker's chair in the House of Commons. At an early period, the family possessed the manor of Maer, co. Stafford, and are also found resident at Norton, in the Moors. The name is spelt, in ancient deeds, de Mere, de Mare, but the more recent orthography is Mayer. " 5

For centuries the township of Lartington in the North Riding of Yorkshire belonged to the Maire family until the 16th century when it was passed by marriage to the Lawsons, of Brough. 4

Early History of the Meyer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Meyer research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1379, 1453, 1467, 1477, 1544, 1550 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Meyer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Meyer Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Meyer were recorded, including Maire, Myer, Myers, Mair, Maires, Mayers, Meyers, Meire, Meir, Mere and many more.

Early Notables of the Meyer family

More information is included under the topic Early Meyer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Meyer World Ranking

In the United States, the name Meyer is the 216th most popular surname with an estimated 119,376 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Meyer is ranked the 648th most popular surname with an estimated 7,968 people with that name. 7 And in France, the name Meyer is the 65th popular surname with an estimated 36,108 people with that name. 8 Australia ranks Meyer as 652nd with 5,989 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Meyer as 459th with 1,505 people. 10 Netherlands ranks Meyer as 271st with 5,259 people. 11 South Africa ranks Meyer as 80th with 60,306 people. 12

Ireland Migration of the Meyer family to Ireland

Some of the Meyer family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 85 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Meyer migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Meyer family emigrate to North America:

Meyer Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Adolf Meyer, who settled in New York city in 1661
  • Christopher Meyer, who landed in Delaware in 1693 13
Meyer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Abel Meyer, who arrived in New Jersey in 1709 13
  • Antony Meyer, who arrived in New York in 1709 13
  • Arent Meyer, who landed in New York in 1709 13
  • Bartel Meyer, who arrived in New York in 1709 13
  • Bastiaan Meyer, who landed in New York in 1709 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Meyer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Caspar Meyer, who arrived in North America in 1832-1849 13
  • Ann Charlotte Meyer, who landed in New York, NY in 1840 13
  • Casper Meyer, aged 36, who arrived in Missouri in 1844 13
  • Mr. Conrad Meyer, from Germany who arrived in Galveston, Texas aboard the ship "Weser" in 1844
  • Mrs. Meyer, from Germany who arrived in Galveston, Texas aboard the ship "Weser" in 1844
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Meyer Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Dietrich Meyer, who landed in Alabama in 1918 13

Canada Meyer migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Meyer Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Barbara Meyer, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1757
  • Conrad Meyer, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757
  • Mr. John Adolphus George Meyer U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 14

Australia Meyer migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Meyer Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Ellis Meyer a teacher, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Navarino" in 1837 15
  • Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer, aged 24, who arrived in South Australia in 1847 aboard the ship "Hermann von Beckerath" 16
  • Augustus Meyer, aged 24, a clerk, who arrived in South Australia in 1848 aboard the ship "Pauline" 17
  • R.W. Meyer, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Steinwaerder" 18
  • Otto Meyer, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Malvina Vidal"

New Zealand Meyer migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Meyer Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Charles Meyer, aged 17, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "Mariner" in 1849
  • Herbert Meyer, aged 18, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "Mariner" in 1849
  • Miss Louisa Meyer, (b. 1846), aged 22, British general servant travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 8th January1869 19

Contemporary Notables of the name Meyer (post 1700) +

  • Joseph E. "Joey" Meyer (1949-2023), American professional basketball coach and head basketball coach of the DePaul Blue Demons from 1984 to 1997 and the Asheville Altitude in the NBA Development League (NBADL) from 2001 to 2005
  • Kathryn Diane "Katie" Meyer (2000-2022), American soccer player who played as goalkeeper for the Stanford University's Stanford Cardinal women's soccer team (2019-2022)
  • Natalie Meyer (1930-2021), American politician who served as the Secretary of State of Colorado from 1983 to 1995
  • Stephanie Meyer (b. 1973), née Morgan, American novelist, best known for the Twilight saga series
  • John Edwin Meyer (1942-2020), American professional football player and assistant coach with the Oilers, New England Patriots and Detroit Lions
  • Edward Charles "Shy" Meyer (1928-2020), United States Army general who served as the 29th Chief of Staff of the United States Army
  • Ron Meyer (1941-2017), American college and head coach of Southern Methodist University
  • Brigadier-General Vincent Meyer (1889-1974), American Member of Allied Control Council Berlin (1945) 20
  • Brigadier-General Henry John Dick Meyer (1899-1972), American Commanding Officer Artillery, 2nd Division (1946-1948) 21
  • Major-General George Ralph Meyer (1886-1961), American Commanding General Anti-Aircraft Command (1945-1946) 22
  • ... (Another 71 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Air New Zealand Flight 901
  • Mr. Jurg Meyer (d. 1979), Swedish passenger, from Switzerland aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 23
Bismarck
  • Wilhelm Meyer (1922-1941), German Matrose II who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 24
  • Willy Meyer (1921-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 24
  • Theodor Meyer (1918-1941), German Maschinengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 24
  • Richard Meyer (1920-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 24
  • Rudolf Meyer (1918-1941), German Maschinenobergefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 24
  • ... (Another 6 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. August Meyer (d. 1912), aged 31, English Second Class passenger from Harrow, London who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 25
  • Mrs. Leila Meyer, (née Saks), aged 25, American First Class passenger from New York City, New York who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping in life boat 6 25
  • Mr. Edgar Joseph Meyer (d. 1912), aged 28, American First Class passenger from New York City, New York who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 25
SS Atlantic
  • August Meyer, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
  • Augusta Meyer, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
  • Mr. Heinrich Meyer, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
  • Louise Meyer, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking

Suggested Readings for the name Meyer +

  • Genealogy of the Meyers Family by I. Austin Meyers.
  • The Meyer Family: Master Potters of Texas by Georgeanna H. Greer.
  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  8. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  9. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  10. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  11. "Most Common Last Names in Netherlands." Forebears, https://forebears.io/netherlands/surnames
  12. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  13. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  14. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  15. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) NAVARINO 1837. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1837Navarino.htm
  16. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HERMANN VON BECKERATH 1847. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1847HermanVonBeckerath.htm
  17. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) PAULINE 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Pauline.htm
  18. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) STEINWARDER 1849 aka STEINWAERDER. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Steinwarder.htm
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2013, May 9) Vincent Meyer. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Meyer/Vincent/USA.html
  21. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2013, May 9) Henry Meyer. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Meyer/Henry_John_Dick/USA.html
  22. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2013, May 9) George Meyer. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Meyer/George_Ralph/USA.html
  23. Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
  24. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details
  25. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
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