Meaning & History
Meijer is a Dutch surname, a form of Meyer 1. The root name Meyer derives from Middle High German meier meaning "bailiff, administrator", which itself comes from Latin maior meaning "greater". Over time the term also came to denote a tenant farmer. In the Dutch context, Meijer follows the same occupational origin, indicating a steward or overseer of an estate. The variation in spelling reflects regional differences in Germany and the Low Countries, with Meijer being specifically Dutch while equivalents like Maier 1 and Mayer 3 are more common in southern Germany and England respectively.
As a surname, Meijer is widespread in the Netherlands and among Dutch diaspora communities. One notable bearer is Hendrik Meijer (also known as Henry Meijer), a Dutch immigrant who founded the Meijer supermarket chain in the United States in 1934. That chain, headquartered in Walker, Michigan, has grown into a major regional supercenter retailer operating over 500 stores across several Midwestern states. The family's story reflects the Dutch-American influence in retail and business.
Related surnames in other languages include English Meyer 3 and Myers, German Meyers, and French Lemaire, all sharing a common etymological root in Latin maior.
As a surname, Meijer is widespread in the Netherlands and among Dutch diaspora communities. One notable bearer is Hendrik Meijer (also known as Henry Meijer), a Dutch immigrant who founded the Meijer supermarket chain in the United States in 1934. That chain, headquartered in Walker, Michigan, has grown into a major regional supercenter retailer operating over 500 stores across several Midwestern states. The family's story reflects the Dutch-American influence in retail and business.
Related surnames in other languages include English Meyer 3 and Myers, German Meyers, and French Lemaire, all sharing a common etymological root in Latin maior.
- Meaning: Bailiff, administrator
- Origin: Dutch
- Type: Occupational surname
- Usage Regions: Netherlands, Dutch diaspora
Related Names