Maier Surname: Origin and Coat of Arms
What does Maier mean, and where does it come from? Here is a brief introduction.
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Origin of the Maier name
Maier is a German status name for a steward who managed an estate, and later for a tenant farmer, from Middle High German meier. This spelling with ai is especially common in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, and in Austria. Emigration also carried it to Austria, United States and Switzerland.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Maier name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Maier name in Germany. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as Austria, the United States and Switzerland; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Maier name FAQ
What does the Maier name mean?
Steward, tenant farmer. Common variants include Meier, Mayer, Meyer.
Where does the Maier surname come from?
It originates in Germany, and is also found in Austria, the United States and Switzerland.
Is there a Maier coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Maier crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Maier coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Duden Familiennamen; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).