Surname Masur - Meaning and Origin

Masur: What does the surname Masur mean?

The last name Masur is of Ashkenazic Jewish origin, and is primarily found amongst central and eastern European Jews who immigrated to the United States as part of a large wave of Eastern European Jewish immigration in the 19th and early- 20th centuries. The surname derives from the Yiddish word "masur" which means "embroiderer," and referred to a profession. Its origin can also be traced back to the Old Germanic family name Matteshur or Mauerschur, which meant "a local name for one who lived near a wall."

The Masur surname is extremely common in Germany, and was also widely found in Poland, Austria, and Russia before World War II. In the U.S., the name is found predominantly in the New York metropolitan area including New Jersey, as well as California, where it is fairly common. It is not found in high numbers outside the prominent Jewish population centers.

Some notable people with the last name Masur include Kurt Masur, a famous German conductor and pianist, and Hermann Masur, a prominent Austrian neurologist. Additionally, Sylvia Masur is a notable American actress, artist, and poet.

The Masur surname reflects the rich cultural history of Jewish immigrants who built a new life for themselves in the U.S. and paved the way for future generations. The name is now an integral part of American Jewish identity, and reflects the perseverance and success of those who came before.

Masur: Where does the name Masur come from?

The surname Masur is a very ancient surname whose origins are believed to date back as early as the Middle Ages. It can be found across the world today, especially in Eastern Europe. The name is most common in Poland, where it is the 40th most popular surname. It is also common in Belarus, where it ranks 44th, as well as Germany, where it is the 158th most popular surname. In addition, many family members bearing the surname Masur have immigrated to the United States where the name has become significantly more diverse.

There is evidence that has linked the Masur surname to many different European countries including Austria, Germany, Great Britain, and the Netherlands by way of urban settlements, court records, and parish registers. The Jewish family name Masur is also quite widespread, having been carried to the United States from Germany by Jewish refugees after the Second World War. In addition, it is thought that the Masur surname could have traveled to the United States from various other countries, such as Lithuania, Romania and Slovakia.

While the exact origin of the Masur surname is uncertain, it is believed to have derived from leaders and officials of several eastern European cities with the occupation of ‘Mazur’, a term that can be loosely translated as ‘wardmaster’ or ‘marshal’. It is also likely that the name could have been derived from Mazovia, an area that was formerly located in Poland. Thus, the Masur name is still prevalent today, with records of families bearing it stretching back over hundreds of years.

Variations of the surname Masur

The surname Masur is of Ashkenazi Hebrew origin, and is derived from the biblical name Manasseh, meaning “forgetful,” or “causing to forget.” The surname is documented in records in Germany, Poland and Israel, with spellings such as Mauz, Maurer, Mais, Masar, Masarik, Masarjian, Maus, Mauss, Maurey, Mausir, Mazurek and Mazeres.

The Masur family of Germany were from Frankfurt-am-Main 1645-1845. Jews of Polish origin who adopted the Masur surname, or whose ancestors did, can trace their roots to the Masur family of Krakow. Jews of Lithuanian-Belorussian origin trace the Masur name back to the 16th century.

In the late 19th century the Maurer family originated in Brenndorf, Germany, where members of the family assumed the surname Masur. Other variants of the name include Mais, after Konrad Mais, who was born in Nidda, Germany in 1644. His sons adopted the name Masur. The Masurik and Mausir families, also of German origin, are likely related to the original Masur family of Ashkenazic Hebrew origins.

The Maas family trace their origins back to Russia, Poland, and Lithuania, and are likely related to the French-Jewish massurier family, which began using the surname "Masur" after settling in Germany in the late 19th century.

The Masar family are of Iraqi-Jewish origins, and likely adopted the surname from the original Masur family that settled in Iraq in the late 18th century, as well as the famous Masarjian family of Lebanon and the Mazeres family from Argentina.

In more recent times, the surname has spread to a number of countries beyond Europe and the Middle East. In the United States, the Masur surname is most common in New York City, while it is more common in the United Kingdom in London, East Anglia, and Yorkshire.

Overall, the different spellings and variants of the surname Masur signify the rich and varied history of the Jewish-Ashkenazic diaspora, which has seen the Masur name spread from Ashkenazic roots to a number of other countries around the world.

Famous people with the name Masur

• Kurt Masur: Recognized for his lifetime of accomplishments as a world-renowned conductor, Kurt Masur was a German musician who famously conducted the New York Philharmonic Orchestra from 1991 to 2002.
• Edward Masur: After graduating from Harvard Medical School, Edward Masur became a professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Michigan Medical School.
• Gunther Masur: Gunther Masur was a German soccer player who played for a number of different teams during his career, including the German FC Schalke 04.
• Bernd Masur: An artist based in Germany, Bernd Masur creates thought-provoking installations that feature painted objects such as furniture, toys, and textiles.
• Lauren Masur: Lauren Masur is an assistant professor of history at Michigan State University. Her research focuses on the histories of the United States, particularly during the nineteenth century.
• Mirek Masur: Mirek Masur is a Polish-born filmmaker based in California, whose films explore injustices and excesses of the modern world.
• Johnny Masur: Known for his signature jazz-rock style, Johnny Masur is a Los Angeles-based guitarist.
• Andy Masur: A former tennis player, Andy Masur is now a tennis commentator for ESPN.
• Sandra Masur: An artist and illustrator based in Germany, Sandra Masur creates intricate, detailed works of art.
• Wolfgang Masur: Wolfgang Masur was a German musicologist who was a leading figure in the field of music bibliography.

Other surnames

MasuhrMasuratMasurathMasureckMasurekMasurierMasurkewitschMasurkewitz