Meister Surname Meaning & Origin
What the Meister last name means, where the surname began and how it spread.
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Meaning and origin of the Meister last name
Meaning of the Meister last name: "master craftsman". Meister is a German surname from Middle High German meister, "master", for a master craftsman who led a workshop, or a teacher or overseer. A Meister could train apprentices and sit in the guild. The last name is spread across Germany and Switzerland.
Arms associated with the Meister name
German heraldry loves canting arms that echo a name, a custom seen in coats of arms linked with Meister.
Get your full Meister family history
This is only a glimpse of the Meister story. The full Meister history report goes much deeper into where the name began, who carried it and how the family spread, and it comes with a museum-style painted Meister coat of arms. Get the full Meister report.
Meister name FAQ
What does the Meister name mean?
"master craftsman". Common variants include Meisterer, Meyster.
Where does the Meister surname come from?
It originates in Germany, and is also found in Switzerland, the United States and Austria.
Is there a Meister coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals rather than to everyone with a surname. Herald Lab paints a personalized Meister coat of arms in museum style, based on historic heraldry.
Sources: Duden Familiennamen; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).