Meier 2

Meier 2 is a variant of the surname Meyer 2, which ultimately derives from the Hebrew given name Meir (מֵאִיר), meaning "enlightened." This surname is distinct from the more common German Meyer (meaning "steward" or "farmer") and instead has Jewish origins. The variant Meier 2 (as opposed to a homographic German Meier denoting a farm administrator) is thus a Germanized spelling of the Hebrew name Meir, adopted by Jewish families in German-speaking regions.

Historically, the name entered use among Ashkenazi Jews, who often took surnames in the 18th and 19th centuries as part of governmental mandates (e.g., the 1787 edicts in Austria or later Prussian reforms). The spelling Maier 2 and Mayer 2 also function as parallel variants of the same root. While less common than the German phonetic equivalents, Meier 2 remains a distinct surname traceable to Jewish communities in Central and Eastern Europe.

• Meaning: "enlightened" (inherited from Hebrew Meir)
• Origin: Jewish (Ashkenazic)
• Type: Surname (variant of Meyer 2)
• Usage regions: German-speaking countries, Israel, diaspora Jewish communities