Surname Majoor - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Majoor: What does the surname Majoor mean?
Majoor is a Dutch surname that has its origins in the Latin word maior (meaning “greater”). The surname is derived from the Latin major, which is related to the English word mayor. This suggests that those bearing the last name were individuals who were considered to possess a higher degree of authority and power.
Traditionally, Majoor was mainly used in the Netherlands, as well as other countries that have Dutch influence. In Dutch culture, the pronunciation of “majoor” is similar to the English word “major”, but with the emphasis on the “oo” sound in the middle. The spelling of the name in English typically is seen as either “Majoor” or “Major”.
The exact origin of this surname is unknown, but there is speculation that it is derived from a nickname given to a person either in an official or unofficial capacity. This name could also have appeared as a personal or given name, as well as a nickname. It is believed that the modern use of Majoor as a family name arose in the 17th century.
Those with the last name Majoor are descended from the Dutch aristocracy. It has been suggested that the dummy title "Baron van Majoor" may have been created for those who had the last name Majoor in order to give them a more noble status and boost their social standing.
Overall, the meaning of the last name Majoor suggests that those who bore it were people of high status and power.
Order DNA origin analysisMajoor: Where does the name Majoor come from?
The last name Majoor is most commonly found in the Netherlands. It is a Dutch surname, derived from the word maijoor, meaning mayor. The name is derived from the title of a high-ranking Dutch official who is responsible for the management of a rural or municipal district. As such, it is typically considered more of a title than a last name.
In the Netherlands today, the name Majoor is relatively uncommon, however, due to the Dutch diaspora, it is beginning to spread to other parts of the world. In the United States, for instance, where there are a significant number of Dutch immigrants, the name Majoor is becoming increasingly found, particularly in areas with large Dutch families.
It is also beginning to spread to other countries with high numbers of Dutch immigrants. In Canada and the United Kingdom, for instance, instances of the Majoor name can be found, as well as in certain parts of Australia.
Today, the last name Majoor remains largely concentrated in the Netherlands, however, due to Dutch immigration, it is slowly becoming more widespread across the globe.
Variations of the surname Majoor
The surname Majoor is most commonly used as a Dutch and Belgian surname, originating from a Dutch and Flemish occupational surname referring to a steward or overseer. Variants of the surname Majoor include: Majoors, Maaijers, Maijer, Maaijer, Maier, Maajer, Meijer, Maeyer, and Meier.
In some cases, the surname has also been anglicized to variants such as Mayor, Major, and Meier.
Majoor is also a very uncommon Jewish surname, which is likely a variant of Meijer, a common Dutch and Flemish surname. Variants of Majoor in the Jewish culture include: Meir, Meirman, Mair, Mayer, Meyer, and Mayersohn.
In addition, Majoor is also a common surname in the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as in the former Dutch colonies of Indonesia, Suriname, Curaçao, and the Netherlands Antilles. Here, the surname is commonly spelled as Maajor or Majoor.
In Germany, the surname is much less common and is spelled as Mayr.
Overall, Majoor is a name that has many variants and spellings across Europe, the Jewish culture, and former Dutch colonies. Each of these variants can often be traced back to the same origin, which is a Dutch and Flemish occupational surname meaning "steward or overseer."
Famous people with the name Majoor
- Humphrey Majoor: Dutch former professional footballer
- Piet Majoor: famous Dutch sculptor and ceramics artist
- Mary Majoor: Dutch–American animator, artist, and educator
- Perla Majoor: Dutch producer and writer
- Elwin Majoor: Dutch–American immunologist and cancer researcher
- Orlando Majoor: Dutch-American fencer
- Niels Majoor: Dutch actor and director
- Willemijn Majoor: Dutch singer, songwriter, and flutist
- Bart Majoor: Dutch sculptor, ceramics artist, and painter
- Marko Majoor: Dutch professional football manager