Surname Mayershofer - Meaning and Origin
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Mayershofer: What does the surname Mayershofer mean?
The last name Mayershofer is an occupational surname. This indicates that the bearer of the name once worked as a shoemaker. The name originates from Germany, likely from medieval times. The root of the word is ′′mayer′′ which translates to ′′shoemaker′′ and ′′shofer′′ meaning ′′worker.′′ This occupational surname was adopted when a person became known as the shoe maker in their village or area.
Mayershofer is a spelling variation of the German Mayerhofer, but there are other spellings, such as Mairshofer, Maerschoffer, Mairschoeffer, Meyershofer, Mayreschoffer, and others.
Throughout history, the Mayershofer name has been associated with shoemaking, trade, and the leather industry. In some cases, the name can be traced back to shoemakers in small towns in Germany. The name is popular throughout Austria and Germany, as well as Central and Eastern Europe.
In more recent history, the Mayershofer name has been used by people who have achieved success in various industries and fields, such as business, law, politics, and the arts. The name continues to represent those with a strong work ethic and commitment to their craft, as it suggests their roots in the shoemaking industry.
Order DNA origin analysisMayershofer: Where does the name Mayershofer come from?
The last name Mayershofer is most commonly found in Austria and parts of Central Europe. It is one of the oldest surnames of what is now the modern country, dating back to the twelfth century when Austria was still part of the Holy Roman Empire. Today, according to the Austrian government statistics, nearly 3,000 people still carry the name across the country, with the largest concentration of Mayershofers living in Upper Austria.
The surname is also found in other parts of Central and Eastern Europe. Records suggest that the name was widespread across the German states and some parts of Poland since the late Middle Ages. It is believed that the family name may have evolved from the German term “meider” which was a term for a worker at a local mill, or “hof”, a court. The name is also found in the United States, specifically the midwestern and northeastern states, due to German emigration during the 19th century.
Depending on where it is found, the spelling for Mayershofer may be somewhat different with variations like Mayerhoffer, Mayershauer, or Meyerhofer. In some parts, the ending “hofer” may also be swapped out in favor of “hoffer” or “haupt”. This is likely due to a regional linguistic change which has evolved over the years.
Variations of the surname Mayershofer
Mayerhofer, Meyershofer, Meyershoffer, Mayershofer, and Mayershoffer are all variants of the same surname, Mayershofer. The two main spelling variations, Mayerhofer and Meyershofer, are simply the German spelling of the name, while Mayershofer and Mayershoffer are the anglicized versions.
Mayerhofer is the German spelling of the name, and it could possibly be derived from the root words ‘mei’ meaning ‘more’ and ‘her’ meaning ‘army’. This hints at a possible military background of the original bearer of the name.
Meyershofer and Meyershoffer both stem from the German spelling ‘Meyer’, which can mean ‘city’ or ‘farmer’, and this may have been the original occupation of the family.
Mayershofer and Mayershoffer are anglicised spellings of the German name, where ‘May’ is substituted for the ‘Mei’. It is probable that the original spelling of the surname would have been an anglicized form of the German variation.
In addition to the various spellings of the Mayershofer surname, several alternative surnames also exist. Variants include Mayershof, Meyershof, Meyershoefer, Mayershoefer, and Meyershofen. These versions of the surname have probably been derived from the original spelling of the name, with slight variations taking place over time. It is possible that the original bearer of the name could have come from a location with a similar name, which could explain why some of these surnames have differences in spelling.
Regardless of the spelling, all of these variants of the Mayershofer surname share a common origin and heritage. Those who bear the surname have a link back to a shared history, which can provide a sense of connection to their past.
Famous people with the name Mayershofer
- Christopher Mayershofer: American former professional basketball player who played for the Philadelphia 76ers during the 1994-95 season in the NBA.
- Robert Mayershofer: German Olympic sailor who competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Madrid, Spain.
- Craig Mayershofer: American football defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the University of Louisville.
- Stephen Mayershofer: American bassist, pianist, arranger and composer.
- Thomas Mayershofer: Austrian figure skater who represented Austria internationally during the early 2000s and placed 6th in European Championships held in 2001.
- James Mayershofer: American professor of geology who is known for his research in metamorphic petrology and mesoscopic field geology.
- Anton Mayershofer: German painter, sculptor and draftsman whose works are in many museums around Europe.
- Joanne Mayershofer: Canadian modern pentathlete who competed in the 1988 Seoul Olympic games and has won seven gold medals while representing her country.
- Marisa Mayershofer: American professor and entrepreneur whose research is in entrepreneurship education and whose business is a consulting firm.
- Stephen Mayershofer: criminal defense attorney and founder of The Mayershofer Law Firm in Santa Monica, California.