Contents [hide]

Mayer History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Mayer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France
Germany
Israel
Ireland

Etymology of Mayer

What does the name Mayer mean?

The name Mayer reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is based on the Norman given name Mauger. The name indicates one who is the son of Maugier, an Old French personal name, which is derived from the Old Germanic name Malger, which means council spear. 1

Early Origins of the Mayer family

The surname Mayer was first found in Normandy where Mauguer was the third son of Richard I, Duke of Normandy and his second wife, Gunnora. He ruled as Count of Corbeil through his wife Germaine de Corbeil.

Mauger (or Malger) was the youngest son of Richard II and his second wife, Papia of Envermeu. He rose to become Archbishop of Rouen in 1037. However, as he opposed the marriage of Duke William and Matilda of Flanders in 1049, he was banished from Rouen to the Isle of Guernsey. There he married Gisella or Guille "without sanction of the Church, he formed an intimacy that resulted in numerous progeny, some of whom took their father's, others their mother's name. 'Hence,' observes a correspondent 'Guilles and Maugers are as plentiful as blackberries on the Channel Islands'"2. The Norman poet Wace (c.1110-1174), related stories of his life on the Channel Islands some 100 years later.

Another Mauger was royal clerk and physician before he was elected to the see of Worcester in 1199, a position held until his death in 1212. Sir Mathias Mayer (Mayor), originally a Jerseyman was ancestor of the Majors of Hampshire.

In England, the Domesday Book of 1086 records the name as a surname in Latin form: Hugo filius Malgeri. 3 The same source also lists a variant, similarly in Latin: Drogo filius Matelgerii. 1 As a forename we find Malger filius Gilleberti in Nottinghamshire (1150-1160.) In Somerset, John Mauger or Malger was listed there in 1250 and later in the Assize Rolls on 1272. The place name "Tolleshunt Major (Essex) owes its attribute to the Domesday Book's Malger." 1

"The font-name was fairly popular in the 13th century. Mauger is found as a single personal name in the Hundredorum Rolls." 4 However, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had listings as a surname too: Thomas filius Mager in Lincolnshire; Walter Mauger in Cambridgeshire; and Richard Malgor in Buckinghamshire. 4

Early History of the Mayer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mayer research. Another 55 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1469, 1550, 1615, 1655 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Mayer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mayer Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Mayer has been recorded under many different variations, including Major, Mauger, Magor, Maior, Mayer, Mayor, Mager and others.

Early Notables of the Mayer family

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mayer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mayer World Ranking

In the United States, the name Mayer is the 893^rd most popular surname with an estimated 32,331 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Mayer is ranked the 655^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,917 people with that name. 6 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Mayer is the 576^th popular surname. 7 France ranks Mayer as 825^th with 6,187 people. 8

Migration of the Mayer family to Ireland

Some of the Mayer family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mayer migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Mayers were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Mayer Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Anna Mayer, who arrived in America in 1681 9

Mayer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Hans Mayer, who was the first bearer of this name to arrive in the New World; he settled in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1709
Henrick Mayer, German who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1727 aboard the ship "William and Sarah" 10
Jacob Mayer, aged 47, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1739 9
Caspar Mayer, aged 30, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1739 9
Egidi Mayer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1739 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Mayer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Franz Jakob Mayer, who landed in Brazil in 1825 9
Babette Mayer, who landed in North America in 1832-1849 9
Morris Mayer, who landed in New York in 1840 9
Mr. Joh. Mayer, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1846 aboard the ship "Andacia"
John Mayer, who arrived in Mississippi in 1847 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Mayer Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Aloise Mayer, aged 4, who landed in New York, NY in 1901 9
Emanuel Mayer, who arrived in Arkansas in 1905 9
Alex Mayer, who arrived in Mississippi in 1907 9

Mayer migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mayer Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Pierre-Louis Mayer, originally of Lyon, who married Marie-Charlotte Chevreuil in Montreal in 1740
Pierre-Louis Mayer, son of Jean-Baptiste and Louise, who married Marie-Charlotte Chevreuil, daughter of Guillaume and Louise-Angélique, in Montreal, Quebec on 12th September 1740 11
Benjamin Mayer, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Chrétien Mayer, son of Jean-Chrétien and Dorothée, who married Marie-Joesphte Babin, daughter of Pierre and Madeleine, in Boucherville, Quebec on 24th October 1757 11
Jean Mayer, son of Thomas and Catherine, who married Marie-Charlotte Drouin, daughter of Joseph and Charlotte, in Quebec on 17th November 1760 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Mayer Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Gottlieb Mayer, aged 9, who arrived in Quebec in 1893

Mayer Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Daniel Mayer, aged 28, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902

Mayer migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Mayer Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Mayer, English convict who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 20th January 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
Edward Mayer, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Caleb Angas" in 1840 13
Mr. James Mayer, (b. 1808), aged 33, Irish farm labourer from Donegal, Ireland departing on 8th July 1841 from Greenock, Scotland aboard the ship "New York Packet" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 23rd October 1841 14
Mrs. Susan Mayer, (b. 1809), aged 32, Irish servant from Donegal, Ireland departing on 8th July 1841 from Greenock, Scotland aboard the ship "New York Packet" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 23rd October 1841 15
Mr. Patrick Mayer, (b. 1828), aged 13, Irish settler from Donegal, Ireland departing on 8th July 1841 from Greenock, Scotland aboard the ship "New York Packet" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 23rd October 1841 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Mayer migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Mayer Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Johann Mayer, (b. 1829), aged 27, British labourer travelling from London aboard the ship "Isabella Hercus" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th January 1856 17
Miss Mayer, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Roman Emperor" arriving in Lyttlelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 30th March 1863 18
Miss Susan J. Mayer, (b. 1852), aged 16, British domestic servant travelling from London aboard the ship "Gainsborough" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd May 1868 17
Reuben Mayer, aged 22, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Ballochmyle" in 1874

Contemporary Notables of the name Mayer (post 1700) +

Arno Joseph Mayer (1926-2023), American historian who specialized in modern Europe, diplomatic history, and the Holocaust, Dayton-Stockton Professor of History, Emeritus, at Princeton University
Bernadette Mayer (1945-2022), American poet, writer, and visual artist associated with both the Language poets and the New York School
Petra Mayer (1974-2021), American book review editor and journalist, one of the books editors of NPR's Culture section
Martin Prager Mayer (1928-2019), American economist, writer of 35 non-fiction books
Peter Michael Mayer (1936-2018), British-born American publisher, President of The Overlook Press/Peter Mayer Publishers, Inc
William Mayer (1925-2017), American multi-award winning composer, best known for his prize-winning opera A Death in the Family
Frederick "Fred" R. Mayer (1921-2016), German-born Jewish American OSS agent for the United States during World War II; negotiated the surrender of the German Army in Innsbruck, Austria, in 1945
Edwin David Mayer (1931-2015), American Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Chicago Cubs in 1957 and 1958
Marissa Ann Mayer (b. 1975), American businesswoman, president and CEO of Yahoo!, former employee number 20 at Google
George Mayer, American bronze medalist for gymnastics at the 1904 Olympics
... (Another 78 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Mayer family +

Bismarck

Theodor Mayer (1914-1941), German Obermaschinist who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 19
Alois Mayer (1913-1941), German Bootsmann who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 19

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Egle, William Henry. Names of foreigners who took the oath of allegiance to the province and state of Pennsylvania... Edwin K. Meyers state printer, 1892
Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 2, Institut Drouin, 1958.
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elphinstone
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CALEB ANGAS 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840CalebAngas.gif
Ship Voyages to New South Wales (Retrieved 18th November 2020). Retrieved from http://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5316/4_4782/New%20York%20Packet_23%20Oct%201841/4_478200095.jpg&No=98
Ship Voyages to New South Wales (Retrieved 18th November 2020). Retrieved from http://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5316/4_4782/New%20York%20Packet_23%20Oct%201841/4_478200095.jpg&No=99
Ship Voyages to New South Wales (Retrieved 18th November 2020). Retrieved from http://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5316/4_4782/New%20York%20Packet_23%20Oct%201841/4_478200095.jpg&No=100
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details