Surname Peyer - Meaning and Origin

iGENEA DNA Test: An Emotional Journey Into The Peyer Family History

Engaging in a DNA test with iGENEA unwrapped facets of my lineage and ancestry I never knew. The revelations about my surname Peyer were emotionally overwhelming, giving me a profound sense of belonging, respect for my family name and our shared history.

R. Peyer

Peyer: What does the surname Peyer mean?

Peyer is a name of Germanic origin, stemming from the pre-medieval era. The root is uncertain, but is likely derived from a personal name with borrowing from the Old High German 'Payar', implied in a document from 1209. In Switzerland, the name Paja may be a form of the same root.

The earliest occurrence of the name is likely found in Schaffhausen, in 1510, where a Der Bartz Payer was mentioned. In the 15th century, the name spread throughout the area of Zurich and surrounding areas. Historically, Peyer was an occupational name, and its carriers were most likely merchants or farmers.

In the early modern period, the meaning of the name evolved from a reference to a person to a family name. Today, members of the Peyer family can be found throughout Switzerland, and even in other parts of Europe.

The name Peyer is likely full of meaning to its bearers. As a reminder of their roots, it is a sign of identity and unity. Ancestry and heritage are strong components of family life, and the name can be seen as a solid protection of belonging. This is important, especially in a time of globalization.

Peyer: Where does the name Peyer come from?

The last name Peyer is most commonly found today in the United States, Germany, and Switzerland. It is a Germanic name deriving from the Middle German verb peyen, meaning “to hoe.” The name typically indicates an ancestor who held a farming profession, such as a tenant farmer or a bachelor farmer.

In the United States, the Peyer name is unmistakably of Germanic and Swiss origin and predominantly settled in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, as well as in primarily Germanic enclaves in the Midwest and in other parts of the South.

In Germany and Switzerland, Peyer is still one of the most common family names. The majority of individuals with the Peyer last name still today have roots in Germany or Switzerland, however, as of the late 1800s, the name has spread to surrounding countries such as Austria, Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden. It is also fairly common in France and the United Kingdom, albeit with less frequency than in its homeland.

At present, the Peyer name can be found in almost every major city in the United States, with the highest concentrations being in Pennsylvania and the Midwest. The Peyer name is also fairly common over in Europe, with the largest concentrations being in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

Variations of the surname Peyer

Peyer is an occupational surname of German origin, which derived from the Middle High German word for 'farmer/peasant'. Variants of this surname include Peier, Peir, Peer, Peers, Peirce, Peersman, Piere, Piers, Pierer, Pierres, Piepers, Pierson, and Pié. The surname is found in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, and elsewhere in Europe and has spread to the United States, Canada, and other countries.

In Germany, the Peyer surname is most common in the southern regions, particularly in Bavaria. The spelling Peier is most common in Austria, while the Peir spelling is most common in Switzerland. The Pierer form is found in the Schleswig-Holstein region of Germany, and the Pierson spelling is especially prevalent in the northern part of the country.

In the United States, the Peyer surname is found primarily among descendants of German-speaking immigrants from Bavaria, Württemberg, Baden, Prussia, Hesse, Austria, Switzerland, and other parts of Europe. Pierer is the most common American variation of the surname, followed by Pierson and Peersman.

The Peyer surname is also sometimes confused with the similarly spelled Beyer, which is a surname of Dutch origin. It is derived from the Middle Dutch word beyer, meaning 'miller or miller's helper'. Variations of this surname include Beijer, Beyers, Buyer, Byer, Beier, and Byers.

Famous people with the name Peyer

• Joseph Peyer: Swiss physician and anatomist, known with for Peyer's Patches which are aggregations of lymphoid tissues present in the gut.
• John Lewis Peyer: Swiss entomologist, known for his work in Coleoptera study.
• Johann Rudolf Peyer: Swiss botanist and plant collector.
• Jetty Peyer: Swiss cyclist, competed in the 1936 and 1948 Olympics.
• Stephan Peyer: Swiss painter, known for his portraiture.
• Julius Peyer: Swiss pathologist, described medical cases related to the digestive tract.
• Hans Peyer: Swiss physicist, known for his contributions to the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center.
• Edward Peyer: Swiss soldier, led the Swiss Expeditionary Force in World War II.
• Peter Petersen Peyer: Swiss theologian, wrote the history of Bern Reformation.
• Johann Jakob Peyer: Swiss anatomist, known for his research on the anatomy and physiology of the digestive tract.

Other surnames

Peyerl