Surname Mayerhofer - Meaning and Origin
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An Emotional Odyssey with iGENEA: Unfolding the Ancestral Saga of Mayerhofers
Embarking on a journey with iGENEA to uncover my ancestral roots was an emotional roller coaster. DNA testing brought out a newfound respect for my family and a sense of pride in my surname, Mayerhofer.
D. Mayerhofer
read moreMayerhofer: What does the surname Mayerhofer mean?
The last name Mayerhofer is a German surname derived from the name Mayer, which is a variation of the Hebrew name Meir. It is derived from the German word "hof," meaning "farm" or "manor" and “Mayer,” an occupational name for a mayor or landowner. Generally, the surname Mayerhofer has two interpretations, either someone who lives on or near a mayor's estate, or someone who is the owner of a farm or small estate.
Until the 19th century, this name was typically found in the German states of Hesse, Thuringia, and Saxony. During this time, wealthier families would often add "hofer" to their names in order to emphasize their status as landowners. Variations of the name have also been found in Austria, Switzerland, and other European countries.
The surname Mayerhofer generally refers to a family with pride in their heritage and a strong connection to the land. This is an ancient name that has held its roots for centuries, though the ancient spelling has evolved over time. In the modern era, the surname continues to represent families of landowners, mayors, and farmers.
Order DNA origin analysisMayerhofer: Where does the name Mayerhofer come from?
The last name Mayerhofer is most commonly found in Austria. According to records, the name had been present in Austria since the 14th century. It is believed that the Mayerhofer were either descendants of people from the original Habsburg empire, or that they had been given land by the Habsburgs in the mountainous areas around Lake Constance in present-day Germany.
Today, the name can be found in Austria, as well as in other countries around Europe where the Habsburgs had an influence. Census data from Austria in 2018 gave 1,362 people with the family name Mayerhofer, or a slight variation such as Maierhofer. It is likely to be present in neighbouring countries such as Germany, where some 1,600 people were recorded in the same year.
The Mayerhofer family can also be found in the United States, having emigrated in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Several Mayerhofers served in the World War One, according to records held by the United States National Achieves. Ella E Mayerhofer is listed as one of the nurses who served in the Navy in 1918.
The name Mayerhofer is likely to be found in other parts of the world too, and continues to be popular today.
Variations of the surname Mayerhofer
Mayerhofer is a surname of German origin. This surname originated from several variants including Mayer, Meir, Mayerhof, Mayerhoffer, Maierhof, Mayrhofer, Mayr, Maier, Meyer, Meier and Mair.
Mayer is a common Jewish variation of the surname, deriving from the given name Meir, which means ‘illustrious’. It can also be found spelled as either Maier or Meyer depending on the region it originates from.
Maierhof and Mayerhof are different spellings for the same name, either of which is derived from a topographical name for someone who lived near a farm or courtyard.
Mayrhofer and Mayerhoffer are two variations of the same name which varies in regional dialects across the German language. It refers to the residence of a person living at a specific farm, specifically a Jewish farm.
Mayr is a spelling variation of the name Mayer and can also be used as a family name. It is believed to refer to a family that had roots at least two generations before.
Meier is another spelling variation of Mayer and it is believed to mean ‘the Master’ of a residence. This variant appears mainly in Southern Germany and is closely related to the Mann surname.
Mair is the last spelling variant of Mayerhofer and is adapted from the Latin word for ‘man’. This is the oldest name variant of Mayerhofer and is still used today.
Famous people with the name Mayerhofer
- Mark Mayerhofer: American film and television director, producer, cinematographer, and editor
- Erika Mayerhofer: Austrian competitive ice skater
- Eva Mayerhofer: Austrian luger
- Elizabeth Mayerhofer: American cello and bassoon artist
- Joseph Mayerhofer: American modernist composer
- Nicholas Mayerhofer: British broadcast journalist
- Kristen Mayerhofer: American professional bowler
- Christian Mayerhofer: Austrian ski jumper
- Melissa Mayerhofer: American sport climber
- Ekaterina Mayerhofer: Austrian competitive swimmer