Meir
A Jewish surname derived from the Hebrew name meaning "Illuminator" or "One who enlightens".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 651 Americans carry the last name Meir. That puts it at #40,016 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.19 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 526,504 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Meir surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
651
1 in 526,504
Census rank
#40,016
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
548
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 548 bearers of the surname Meir in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.19 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 40016th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Meir, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.4%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Meir
The surname Meir is of German origin, derived from the Old High German word "meier," which means a steward, bailiff, or overseer of an estate. This name first appeared in the Middle Ages, around the 12th century, in various regions of Germany.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname Meir can be found in medieval German records and documents, such as the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae and the Monumenta Germaniae Historica. These records mention individuals with the surname Meir holding positions of authority or overseeing agricultural estates.
In some cases, the surname Meir was also derived from place names that incorporated the word "meier," such as Meierhofen, Meierhof, or Meiersheim. These place names were often associated with agricultural communities or estates, reflecting the occupational origin of the surname.
One notable historical figure with the surname Meir was Johannes Meir, a German scholar and theologian who lived in the 15th century (c. 1400-1475). He is known for his contributions to the study of canon law and his writings on various theological subjects.
Another significant bearer of the surname Meir was Michael Meir, a German astronomer and mathematician who lived in the 16th century (c. 1510-1587). He is renowned for his work on planetary motion and his contributions to the development of the Copernican heliocentric model of the solar system.
In the field of literature, Georg Meir (1628-1700) was a German poet and satirist who gained recognition for his biting social commentary and humorous verses. His works provided insights into the social and cultural aspects of 17th-century Germany.
The surname Meir also has connections to the Netherlands, where it is sometimes spelled as "Meijer" or "Meijer van Delft." One notable figure with this variation of the surname was Cornelis Meijer van Delft (1516-1590), a Dutch painter and engraver known for his religious and mythological works.
Lastly, in the 20th century, Gerhart Meijer (1902-1964) was a German political scientist and sociologist who made significant contributions to the study of bureaucracy and organizational theory. His works influenced the development of modern organizational and management studies.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Meir
Among Census respondents with the surname Meir, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.4%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Meir bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Meir surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White90.2%
- Hispanic or Latino4.4%
- Asian and Pacific Islander2.0%
- Two or more races2.0%
- Unknown or suppressed1.4%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Meir surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #39,444 | #40,016 | -1.5% |
| Count | 525 | 548 | 4.4% |
| Per 100K | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Meir bearers went from 525 to 548 (+4.4% change). The surname moved down 572 positions in the national ranking, going from #39,444 to #40,016.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Meir
FAQ
Meir surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Meir?
The surname Meir holds position #40,016 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 651 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.19 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Meir surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Meir, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.4%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.0%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.