The Mayer Coat of Arms and Name Meaning
Discover the meaning of Mayer, its origins in Germany, and the story behind a Mayer family crest.
Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Mayer coat of arms for you.
Origin of the Mayer name
Mayer is a German status name for a steward or tenant farmer who managed a manor, from Middle High German meier. This spelling with ay is especially common in southern Germany, Austria and among Ashkenazic families. It ranks among the most frequent German surnames.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Mayer name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Mayer name in Germany. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Austria and Switzerland; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Mayer family history
The complete Mayer pack goes much further: documented origins, early records and family spread, plus a hand-checked coat of arms.
Mayer name FAQ
What does the Mayer name mean?
Steward, tenant farmer. Common variants include Meyer, Meier, Maier.
Where does the Mayer surname come from?
It originates in Germany, and is also found in the United States, Austria and Switzerland.
Is there a Mayer coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Mayer crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Mayer coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Duden Familiennamen; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).