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Mesmer is a variant of German Mesner 'sexton, sacristan'.
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oh, thanks... But... Sexton and sacristan are fairly modern terms... Waht would be the older etymology? i.e. the other terms (maybe in older languages) that have an etymological kinship with Mesmer? mmm... So Mesmerism is something like sextonism or sacristanism :p
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The surname Mesmer is an alteration of Mes(s)ner which comes from Middle High German mess(e)nære 'sexton, sacristan'. Mesmerism was named after Franz Mesmer whose theories are described at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesmer.
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Thanks, I understood that, you have just repeated yourself... I meant if there is any deeper etymology to it.
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OK, I'm guessing that you're looking for the etymology of Messner itself. That would be Latin mansionarius which is derived from mansionem whose origin you'll find at tinyurl.com/c837exr.
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Thanks! that solves a lot!
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I don't know where the idea comes from that sexton and sacristan are 'fairly modern'. Sexton, spelt 'Sekestain' is found as a surname in England in the early 14th century, forms of the word Sacristan even earlier. Sexton derives from sacristan.
The French, Russians and Ukrainians have surnames based on this occupation (?office). Others too no doubt.
The French, Russians and Ukrainians have surnames based on this occupation (?office). Others too no doubt.
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