Mesaros Family History
Mesaros Surname Meaning
Serbian, Croatian, and Rusyn (from Vojvodina in Serbia) (Mesaroš) is an occupational name for a butcher or a nickname for a meat eater. It originates from the dialect (colloquial) mesaroš, meaning ‘butcher’, and figuratively ‘meat eater’. This term is a loanword from Hungarian mészáros (see Meszaros), derived from South Slavic mesar, which also means ‘butcher’.
In Slovak, the name mainly appears as Mesároš and Mésároš, along with variants Mésaroš and Mesaroš. Additionally, in Rusyn (from Slovakia), Mesaroš serves as an occupational name for a butcher with Hungarian origins (see Meszaros). This illustrates a common link between the terms across different Slavic languages.
The name has also seen an Americanized form as Mészáros, which retains the literal meaning of ‘butcher’ (see Meszaros). This adaptation in the U.S. reflects the migration patterns and cultural exchanges that have influenced the naming conventions in various communities.
Ultimately, these names showcase a rich linguistic heritage that highlights the significance of occupations in naming practices across cultures. The connections between the terms in Serbian, Croatian, Slovak, and Rusyn underline the shared roots and historical communications between these languages.
Compare this to Messaros to see how variations and adaptations occur within similar etymological contexts.
Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022