Surname Drejer - Meaning and Origin
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Drejer: What does the surname Drejer mean?
The surname Drejer is commonly seen in German and Scandinavian countries, and its origin can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Norse word "drægr" which translates literally to drag or pull. The term was used to denote someone who was a dragsman, or someone who used muscular strength to move heavy objects.
The surname Drejer is linked to several other surnames. In Denmark, the similar Dreifer, Dreifør, Dreischer and Drejsborg have been identified. In Germany, variants such as Dreger, Dreher, Drehing and Dreisma can be found. There are also records of Drejers found in Frisia and other parts of Europe. In Sweden, the surname is spelled Draber.
The modern usage of the term is derived from that of a dragsman and implies somebody who is strong and determined. Alternately, however, it can also imply somebody whose stubbornness gets the best of them, as they strive to maintain their own views.
The surname is linked with many individuals of note, including Danish actor Bjørn Drejer and Swedish actor Anders Drejer. It is also currently borne by over 1,500 individuals across Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisDrejer: Where does the name Drejer come from?
The last name Drejer is primarily a Danish surname today. It is commonly seen in Denmark, especially in Copenhagen and the surrounding areas. It is also found in other Nordic countries including Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. Drejer is among the 1000 most common surnames in Denmark, where it is found in every fifth household. Outside of the Nordic region, it is less common but still present in northern Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, as well as the United States.
Immigrants from Denmark began arriving in the United States in the 19th century, and many also adopted the Pakes or Draker spelling. This created the Americanized version of the name, which can be inadvertently confused with other names like Dreher, Drehmer or Dreher. As a result, the last name Drejer is often seen in places like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and other Midwest states, where many Scandinavian immigrants settled during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
It also appears in the western states like California, Oregon, and Washington, as well as in Colorado, Utah, Texas, and other states. Despite its widespread distribution, the last name Drejer is mainly concentrated in Denmark as well as the US states of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Variations of the surname Drejer
The surname Drejer is commonly found in Denmark, where it originated. It is most commonly spelled as Drejer, but it also has many variants spelling that may develop over time. Variations of this surname include: Drejer, Dreiera, Dreier, Dreir, Dreieri, Dreijahr, and Drijer.
The surname is also rendered as Dreer in the Dutch language, Dreher in the German language, Dryer in the Danish-Norwegian languages, Dreijer in the Dutch-Frisian language, Dryjers in the Danish-Swedish language, and Drejer in other variants. In addition, the surname may be found in the patronymic form, such as Dreiersson, Drejeraten, Drejerløkken, and Drejersen.
The surname is also found in countries outside Denmark, having been brought to other nations by Danish immigrants. Variations of this surname in other regions may include Dryer (South Africa), Dreyer (Germany, South Africa, United States), Dreyers (Belgium, France, and Germany), Dreier (Austria, Germany, Hungary, South Africa, and Switzerland), and Drijers (Netherlands).
Regardless of spelling, all of these variations are derivatives of the surname Drejer, and they are interchangeable. The spelling and form may have been modified over time, but the surname's roots remain the same.
Famous people with the name Drejer
- Maiken Fruergaard Drejer: Danish actress best known for her recurring role on the TV series “Borgen”.
- Kasper Reinhold Drejer: Danish film editor whose credits include “Valhalla Rising” (2009) and “Love Is All You Need” (2012).
- Ella Sofie Brachmann Drejer: Danish actress best known for her roles in the films “Tinker Ticker” (2017) and “A Fish Tale” (2019).
- Jens Kristian Drejer: Danish composer best known for his score for the film “The Sunfish,” starring Mads Mikkelsen.
- Jens Jørgen Drejer: Danish songwriter associated with international hits such as “ Jennie” by Swedish singer Martin Stenmarck.
- Annelise Drejer: Danish model and social media influencer who is a regular on the Danish TV show, “Vil du Danse?”
- Katrine Drejer: Danish lawyer and businesswoman and co-founder of the legal firm Drejer Legal.
- David Drejer: Danish record producer and DJ with the stage name “Drejer.”
- Morten Andreas Drejer: Danish artist best known for “The Challenger”, a popular mural in Copenhagen.
- Mathias Drejer: Danish actor who has appeared in films like “Submarino” (2010) and “The Guilty” (2018).