Mein History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Scotland

Etymology of Mein

What does the name Mein mean?

The origin of the name is the southern German form "Meinhardt," which is a compound of "strength" (Mein) and "bravery" (Hardt).

Early Origins of the Mein family

The surname Mein was first found in Pomerania, where the name was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. Chronicles first mention Meyne Meynen of Barth in Pomerania in 1415, and Heinrich Meyneking of Hanover in 1311. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs.

Early History of the Mein family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mein research. Another 140 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1250, 1350, 1704, 1727, 1775, 1797 and 1851 are included under the topic Early Mein History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mein Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Meinecke, Meincke, Meinke, Meineken, Meineking, Meinhard, Meinhold, Meininger, Meinart, Meinert, Meinhardt, Mein, Meine, Meinen, Meins, Meiner, Main, Mains, Mainer and many more.

Early Notables of the Mein family

Prominent bearers of the name Mein at this time were

Johann Nikolaus Meinhard (1727-67), who was a German critic and translator...
Johannes Wilhelm Meinhold (1797-1851) was a pastor and poet, enjoying the patronage of King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia...

Mein migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mein Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Johann Georg Mein, who settled in Philadelphia in 1736 with Hans Jergen Mein
John Geo Mein, aged 16, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1736 1
Johan Georg Mein, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1736 1
Agnes Mein, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1745 1
Robert Mein, who landed in Savanna(h), Georgia in 1794 1

Mein Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

William Mein, who arrived in Savanna(h), Georgia in 1802 1
John Mein, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 1
Mr. Claus Mein, aged 26, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1847 aboard the ship "Natchez"
Diederich Mein, aged 41, who landed in New York, NY in 1852 1

Mein migration to Australia +

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

Mein Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. James Mein, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Mein (post 1700) +

Thomas Mein, American politician, Member of California State Assembly 24th District, 1881-83 3
John Gordon Mein (1913-1968), American politician, U.S. Ambassador to Guatamala, 1965-68 3

Sources +

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)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 14) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html