| ![Show Contents]() Meneer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of MeneerWhat does the name Meneer mean? In ancient Scotland, the ancestors of the Meneer family were part of a tribe called the Picts. The name Meneer is derived from the personal name John. The Gaelic form of their name was originally Mac-Iain-uidhir, which means son of dun John. However, the Meneer family of Perth traditionally derive their name from M'an-oighre, which means son of the heir. Experts have also theorized that the surname Meneer may be derived from Mac-an-fhuibir, which means son of the smith, or Mac-an-huidhir, which means son of the stranger. Early Origins of the Meneer familyThe surname Meneer was first found in Perth, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects. Further to the south in England, the Menaire, Menear, Manhire and other variants claim descent from Walter Maenhir who was listed in Devon in 1293. The very rare variant Manhire traces back to Ellis Menheire who was listed in Devon in 1642. 1 Early History of the Meneer familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Meneer research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1392, 1526, 1546, 1776 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Meneer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Meneer Spelling VariationsThe appearance of the printing press and the first dictionaries in the last few hundred years did much to standardize spelling. Prior to that time scribes spelled according to sound, a practice that resulted in many spelling variations. Meneer has been spelled MacNair, MacNaire, MacNayer, MacNeir, MacNuir, Menair and many more. Early Notables of the Meneer familyAnother 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Meneer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Meneer family to IrelandSome of the Meneer family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Meneer 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: Meneer Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century- Henry Meneer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Morning Star" in 1861
- Elizabeth Meneer, aged 21, a housemaid, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Collingwood" in 1875
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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