Surname Meierdirks - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Meierdirks: What does the surname Meierdirks mean?
The last name Meierdirks is of German origin and is derived from a combination of the two words Meier, meaning mayor or mayor-official, and Dirks, a variant of the name Dirk which is derived from the Ancient Germanic “Theodoric,” which translates to “ruler of the people”.
The combination of the two words in the Meierdirks name refers to an individual of powerful stature and indicates that the family originated from a higher class. Historically, the surname would have been taken on by a powerful nobleman or prominent official within a given area. Records suggest that the surname “Meierdirks” was used primarily by the Mecklenburg nobility and was spread through Germany and the surrounding countries.
Throughout history the Meierdirks surname has had a long and distinguished association with the German nobility. With the various titles and classifications that have been attached to the name, it has stayed with the same families for several generations.
In modern days, the name Meierdirks is still fairly rare and is associated with individuals of a higher class, though it is no longer necessarily a title or first name. It is still common in areas of Germany, especially in the northern and western provinces. The rulership and nobility associated with the name has been lost in favor of the idea of having a more recognizable and familiar surname, although there are still some families bearing the Meierdirks title.
Order DNA origin analysisMeierdirks: Where does the name Meierdirks come from?
The last name Meierdirks is commonly found in Europe, especially in German-speaking countries. In Germany, Meierdirks is a popular last name, particularly in the northwestern region of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also found at relatively high frequencies in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Austria.
The origin of Meierdirks is German, meaning "steward," and the name may refer to a steward who worked on a larger estate. The surname is derived from the German words "Meier" meaning "steward" and "Dirks" meaning "daughter," indicating a female steward.
The 2000 United States Census indicates that about 490 people, with the last name Meierdirks, live in the United States. Most of them are in Wisconsin, where there are 188 people, followed by California with 135, and Michigan with 92. About 900 Meierdirks live in Germany.
The last name Meierdirks is relatively uncommon in the English-speaking world, but is still easily traceable due to its German origin. Records and genealogical databases can still provide information on the ancestry of individuals with the last name.
Variations of the surname Meierdirks
The surname Meyerdirks or Meierdirks is a patronymic surname (a surname derived from the first name of the father) derived from the German personal name “Meier” (or “Maier”) and the suffix “dirks,” meaning “son of” the father, “Meier.”
Variants of the surname Meierdirks include Meerdirk, Meerdreks, Mierdirk, Meyerdirk, Myersdirk, Meerders, Myerders, Miederks, Myderks, Mieders, Myders, Miers, Myers, and Mierse.
Variant spellings of the surname include Myerdirks, Meierderks, Meyerderks, Meyderks, Meiderks, Meyders, and Meyers.
Surnames of a similar origin include Miersema, Myersema, Mayersema, and Meyersema.
Other variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are Maurits, Mauers, Maurs, Maurer, Maurier, Mauries, Maurie, Mauer, Maursen, Maurson, Mires, Mirs, Mirse, and Miersen.
The surname is common in the northern parts of Germany and the Netherlands, including in the German-speaking areas of Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Westfalen, and in the Netherlands in the northern provinces of Groningen, Friesland, and Overijssel.
Today, Meyers, Myers, Myersema, Meerders, and Miersema are the most common variants of the surname in Germany, while Meierdirks is the most common variant in the Netherlands.
Famous people with the name Meierdirks
- Max Meierdirks, Professional Footballer
- Deutsche Meierdirks, German Actress
- Heinrich Meierdirks, German Engineer
- Birte Meierdirks, International Model
- Franziska Meierdirks, Professional Photographer
- Verena Meierdirks, Psychotherapist
- Robert Meierdirks, Volksmusik Singer
- Hakan Meierdirks, Professional Soccer Player
- Rudolf Meierdirks, Businessman
- Ute Meierdirks, Contemporary Artist