LL-L "Names" 2004.05.16 (01) [E]

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L O W L A N D S - L * 16.MAY.2004 (01) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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From: burgdal32admin <burgdal32 at pandora.be>
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.

Hi Ben and Ron,

"Meyer" is a very common name in Flanders. I looked at the website
"familienaam.be" and found thousands of people with that name
(Demeyere / De Meyere / Meyer / De Meyer...)
Meier (in Dutch) comes from Latin: major domus : the ruler of the house.
In our history we had the famous "hofmeiers" who ruled the country in
stead of the official rulers, the "Merovingers", and at the end took
over the power and the title of king, beginning with the "Pepijns".
They , later, were called "Karolingers" after the well-known king:
Karel de Grote .
I think that the English word "mayor" has the same origine.
Groetjes,
luc vanbrabant
oekene


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

Luc (above):

> I think that the English word "mayor" has the same origine.

So has English "major."  Latin _maiorus_ was borrowed at least twice, though
"mayer" is supposed to have been borrowed via Old French (_meir_ *<
_mayeur_?)  Cf. "major domo," from Latin _maior domo_ 'ruler of the house'.

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

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