Parent’s name

Myers surname meaning

Often a patronymic from Mayer or Meier, though English, French, and Scandinavian origins also occur.

Confidence: Disputed
US frequency: Rank 103 · 220,983 people
Common variants: Meyers, Myers, Miers, Myres

Confidence: Disputed. More than one origin is plausible, or sources disagree. We show the conflict rather than pick a cute answer.

The short story

Myers is frequently explained as a patronymic from Mayer or Meier, German occupational or status names that became personal names and then family names. That is a useful lead, but the spelling also appears in English and French lines: proposed alternatives connect it with a physician, a mayor, or a marsh landscape. American Myers families therefore cannot be assigned one origin from the spelling alone. Meyers, Miers, Myres, and Myars are historical variants, while similar-looking names may have developed independently. The page keeps the patronymic category but marks confidence disputed.

Also seen as: Meyers, Myers, Miers, Myres

Sources used

Wikipedia “Myers” (Mayer and other possible origins)
Oxford/DAFN surname reference for Myers (multiple origin streams)
Names2020_LastNames_Top1000.xlsx (2020 Census)