LL-L "Names" 2004.05.13 (07) [E/German]

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L O W L A N D S - L * 13.MAY.2004 (07) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) N=Northumbrian
S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West)Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeêuws)
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From: Kevin Caldwell <kcaldwell31 at comcast.net>
Subject: LL-L "Names" 2004.05.13 (02) [E]

> From: Ben J. Bloomgren <godsquad at cox.net>
> Subject: Meaning of a name
>
>
> Hello. I have always seen names that have Meyer/Meier as part of them.
> What
> does that mean? It is clearly in the Germanic family, but beyond that, I'm
> clueless.
> Thanks,
> Ben
>
> ----------
>
> From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Names
>
> Ben,
>
> I believe it comes from Latin _maior_ ~ _major_ which came to denote
> village
> chief or representative.

I thought "meier" meant "farmer".

Kevin Caldwell (kcaldwell31 at comcast.net)

----------

From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Names

Kevin:

_Major_ > headman/village chief = most important farmer (with the largest
farm) = Großbauer > farmer (Bauer)

Hence prefixed forms with _-meier_ ~ _-meyer_ ~ _-mayer_ alternative to
those with _-bauer_ (LS _-buer_) and _-mann_ (e.g., Neumeier,
Neubauer/Niebu(e)r, Neumann/Niemann/Neemann).

German _Meier_ > _Meierei_ 'dairyfarm'

<quote>

Einer der ältesten von einem Beruf abgeleiteten Namen auf dem Lande ist der
Name Meyer/Meier/Mayer etc.

Dieser Name stammt von dem lateinischen Wort Major ab. Der Major hatte als
Besitzer eines größeren Hofes die Abgaben der anderen Höfe für den
Grundherren einzuziehen. In der Bauerschaft Valdorf saßen diese Meier auf
den Höfen Hollwiesen Nr. 1, Bonneberg Nr. 1 und Pehlen (Wehrendorf) Nr. 1.
Aus dem Bonnebergmeier wurde dann der heute vertretene Name Bonnemeier.
Speziell die Namen mit der Endung -meier sind häufig vertreten.

</quote>

http://www.genealogienetz.de/reg/NRHE-WFA/Herford/Vlotho/vlo_name.htm

I always think of Meyer/Meier/Mayer as German ("proper"), not as Lowlandic,
while _-buer_ ~ _-buur_ and _-mann_ can be Lowlands Saxon (Low German).  At
least that's what I've always assumed.

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

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