Show ContentsMeister History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Meister family

The surname Meister was first found in Switzerland, where the family is considered to have made a great early contribution to the feudal society which became the backbone of early development of Europe. Meaning "master" in German, the name was probably a nickname given either to a man who had a bossy demeanor, or to one who was a master of his craft.

Early History of the Meister family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Meister research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1340 is included under the topic Early Meister History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Meister Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Meister, Mester, Meester and others.

Early Notables of the Meister family

Notables of the time with the surname Meister were

  • the Meister family of Fribourg

Meister Ranking

In the United States, the name Meister is the 5,439th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Meister is ranked the 6,188th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 2


Meister migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Meister Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Hans Meister, who arrived in America in 1640 3
Meister Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Koenraet Meister, who landed in New York in 1709 3
  • Johannes Meister, who landed in Carolina in 1734 3
  • Jacob Meister, who arrived in Carolina in 1734 3
  • Christopher Meister, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1734 3
  • Veit Meister, who arrived in America in 1744 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Meister Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Balthasar Meister, who arrived in America in 1833 3
  • Friderike Luise Meister, aged 33, who landed in America in 1843 3
  • Michael H Meister, who landed in Texas in 1846 aboard the ship "Talisman" 3
  • Frederick William Meister, aged 26, who arrived in Missouri in 1847 3
  • Jean Meister, aged 29, who arrived in New York, NY in 1848 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Meister migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Meister Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Eduard Meister, who landed in Quebec in 1850

Contemporary Notables of the name Meister (post 1700) +

  • Michael W. Meister, American art historian, archaeologist and architectural historian
  • Alton Meister (1922-1995), American biochemist who made pioneering contributions on the study of glutathione metabolism
  • George B. Meister (1864-1908), American professional baseball player
  • John Meister (1863-1923), American baseball player
  • David Meister (b. 1962), American fashion designer
  • Steve Meister (b. 1958), former professional tennis player from the United States
  • Gabriel E Meister, American medical researcher
  • Mike G. Meister, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Ohio 17th District, 1994 4
  • Michael Meister, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Nebraska, 2004 4
  • Louis Meister, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from New York County 14th District, 1899-1901 4
  • ... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


Suggested Readings for the name Meister +

  • A History of the Meister-Alli.
  • Families, their Emigration to and Settlement in America by H.D. Meister.

  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. 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)
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 14) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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