Surname von Mayer - Meaning and Origin
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von Mayer: What does the surname von Mayer mean?
The last name von Mayer is a Germanic name meaning “of Mayer”. This aristocratic title is derived from the Old High German 'meige' meaning “mayor” or “lord”, and is an occupational surname. Therefore, it probably appeared to signify a person of standing within a community or a member of a local ruling family.
The von Mayer family is thought to have originated from Bavaria, Germany, where the last name is more commonly found. It is likely to have been most widely used in Germany, Austria, and Hungary, but can also be found in other countries.
The von Mayer family is known to have produced influencers in both politics and culture in the past. Notable von Mayer family members are thought to have included Franz Sebastian von Mayer, a Bavarian author, editor, and publisher, and Emanuel von Mayer, a German Lieutenant-Brigadier General, who was awarded the Iron Cross in World War II for successfully rescuing Jewish people in Vienna.
The von Mayer name was one of the many created after several of the German principalities were granted titles by the Austrian Empire. This is why it is a prefix to the original family name. The original name is still believed to be Mayer.
Today, the von Mayer name is very rare and would likely have different meanings depending on the country and region in which it is found. It is therefore likely to have evolved over time into other variations, such as Mayer, Mayr, Meir, Meyers, Myers, and Maier.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Mayer: Where does the name von Mayer come from?
The last name von Mayer is commonly found in Germany, Austria, and some parts of Switzerland. It is more frequent in some areas than others, and the places where it is most common today may not be the same as it was centuries ago.
In today’s modern Germany, it is most common in the state of Brandenburg, located in the north-eastern part of the country. It is also fairly common in Berlin and Saxony. In Austria, it is most concentrated in Upper Austria and the capital of Vienna. In Switzerland, the von Mayer name is more commonly found in Zurich and Aargau, as opposed to other regions.
The von Mayer name is thought to be associated with German nobility and suggests a long history of aristocratic and wealthy ancestry. A notable example of the von Mayer family is German-born banker, Karl von Mayer, who famously attempted to create analytical engines and calculate machines long before the invention of the modern computer.
Today, the name von Mayer is still held in high regard and those who bear it can often be found in professions of power and authority, such as law, politics, business and finance. It is still one of the more distinguished surnames in German-speaking countries, making it a great family name to carry on for generations.
Variations of the surname von Mayer
The surname von Mayer is a German noble name that is derived from the Latin word 'magnus', meaning great. It is typically found in the German regions of Bavaria and Saxony. This name is typically spelled 'von Mayer' and can also be seen as 'Von Mayer', 'v. Mayer', 'V. Mayer', 'von Maier' and 'von Meier'.
Apart from these spelling variants, the surname 'von Mayer' can also be found in alternative spellings such as 'Mayr', 'Maier', 'Meitzel' and 'Meyer'. It can also be seen as 'Mair', 'Meyar', 'Meyerle' and 'Vaier'.
For Jewish families, the family name 'von Mayer' may be transliterated differently as 'Maier', 'Meer', 'Mayerl', 'Meyersohn' and 'Meyerowitz'.
Another way of spelling this name is 'Mayr', which was traditionally found in Austria and Venetia, and the spelling 'Meier' is also popular in Switzerland.
All these spellings denote families of the same ancestry, or what is known as a 'clan'. This means that all the families descended from the same common ancestor share the same surname. Examples of clans with the surname 'von Mayer' include the Baron of Meyr, the Barons of Stadhop and the Barons of Wittman.
In conclusion, the surname von Mayer has a range of variants, spellings and alternative surnames, including 'Meier', 'Mayr', 'Mair', 'Meyer' and 'Maier', as well as variations such as 'Mayerl', 'Meyersohn', 'Meyerowitz' and 'Meyar'. Although each variant may suggest a distinct family history, they all indicate a familial connection to the common ancestor of the surname's 'clan'.
Famous people with the name von Mayer
- Hugo von Mayer (1851-1912): A German medical doctor and professor of medicine, he specialized in children's diseases and authored numerous books and studies on the subject.
- Eberhard von Mayera (1900-1944): A German World War II Luftwaffe Major General, he was awarded numerous decorations for his bravery.
- August von Mayer (1845-1921): A German zoologist and professor at the university of Munich, he specialized in the study of marine organisms.
- Erwin von Mayer (1826-1902): A Prussian court counselor, he was a renowned legal expert with a special focus on business law.
- Paul von Mayer (1841-1913): An Austrian Baron, he served as a member of the Imperial Council of Austria and was also an author.
- Eugen von Mayer (1830- ?): A German mathematician and professor at the University of Tübingen; he was a noted expert on probability theory.
- Karl von Mayer (1814-05): An Austrian-German chemist and physicist, he developed a thermodynamic theory based on the conservation of energy.
- Johannes von Mayera (1850-1917): A pioneer of motorised airships, he was also a noted inventor and a prolific author.
- Franz von Mayer (1808-1898): A theologian and philosopher, he served as a professor at the University of Vienna and was an expert on the writings of Immanuel Kant.