Surname Maister - Meaning and Origin

Maister: What does the surname Maister mean?

The last name Maister is found in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and is also found among some families in the United States, Canada, and Australia. The name is derived from an Anglo-Norman French word 'maistre', which means 'master'. The word is found in many European Slavic languages as well as in North African, Middle Eastern, and Jewish languages.

In England, the name Maister was first used as an occupational title for a master craftsman, who oversaw the work of their apprentices. As the population of England expanded, the name spread throughout the population as families moved to different parts of the country and new families were formed.

In Wales, it is thought that the name may be derived from the Welsh word 'mawr', meaning 'great', or may have been an occupational title for a master of a trade, such as a mason or an armorer. In Ireland, the name is thought to be derived from a Gaelic tribal name, which is associated with the ancient province of Connacht.

The Maister name is associated with skilled professions such as lawyers and architects, and also with wealthy tradesmen such as merchants and bankers. Despite its differences in origin, the name is associated with distinguished individuals of various backgrounds and nationalities, all of whom have made their mark in their chosen profession.

Maister: Where does the name Maister come from?

The last name Maister is most commonly found in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. It is also quite widespread in the United States, where people with the last name of Maister have settled. The origin of the name is unclear, but it is thought to be derived from the Latin word ‘magister,’ meaning ‘teacher.’ Other alternative explanations include a Germanic origin, with Maister deriving from ‘meister,’ meaning ‘master.’

In Slovenia, Maister is the 14th most common surname, with around 1,772 people bearing the name. Most Slovenians with the last name are concentrated in the eastern and northern regions, between Maribor, Laško, Celje, and Murska Sobota. In Croatia, the surname is more evenly spread throughout the country, particularly in Slavonia and Zagreb region. There are also some pockets in Serbia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina, where the Maister name also exists.

In the United States, the Maister surname is primarily found in Pennsylvania, but is also fairly common in New Jersey and New York. It is also found in other states, such as California, Florida, Illinois, and Texas. The largest city in the US where people with the last name Maister live is Baltimore, Maryland.

In summary, the Maister surname is common in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, as well as in the United States. It may have originated from the Latin word ‘magister’, meaning ‘teacher,’ or from the Germanic word ‘meister,’ meaning ‘master.’

Variations of the surname Maister

The surname Maister is believed to have originated from the German word "Meister", which is the German word for “master” or “teacher.” This name is believed to have been used as an occupational name for a teacher or a master craftsman.

Variants and spellings of the surname Maister include Master, Masters, Meister, Meisters, Mester, Messter, Masterman, Maistre and Mistre.

There are also several surnames with related origins that have evolved from the name Maister, including Meistermann (originating from Meister and Mann, translated to “master and man”), Mastre (a Swiss variation of the name), Maistres (a Welsh variation referring to “the master’s manor”), Meisterhans (from Meister and Hans, meaning “master and John”), Maistri (an Italian version of Maister) and Maestri (a Catalan version of the same).

Many of these variants have adopted their own spellings as the name has traveled across many parts of the world like Europe and North America, such as Masterson, Meistre, Masterley, and Maestro.

Today, the surname Maister is still quite popular around the world, with the highest records of the name being found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other parts of Europe, as well as in the United States.

Famous people with the name Maister

• Asaf Maister: Israeli venture capitalist from Tel Aviv, Israel.
• Alan Maister: British professional squash player from Cambridge, England.
• Ali Maister: German international footballer who plays midfielder for Adler Mannheim in the Handball-Bundesliga.
• Hal Maister: Canadian artist specializing in painting and sculpture.
• Stanley Maister: American film and television writer, director and producer.
• Klaus Maister: German-born Australian sociopolitical protester.
• Maxwell Maister: British Internet entrepreneur and angel investor.
• Will Maister: English professional cricketer who plays for Middlesex County Cricket Club.
• Richard Maister: American music producer and singer-songwriter.
• Harry Maister: Canadian professor of Political Science and International Relations.
• Mark Maister: British professional boxer and world champion light welterweight.
• Rhys Maister: New Zealand rugby union footballer who plays as an outside back for the North Harbour team in the Mitre 10 Cup.
• Wilma Maister: Nigerian model, best known for her appearance on the covers of magazines such as “Grazia”, "Vogue" and "Elle".
• Ryan Maister: British electronic music producer and DJ signed to the “Kompakt” label.
• Jasmine Maister: Australian environmental activist and founder of “Fight For The Earth”.

Other surnames

Maisterl