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Type Surname (from occupation)
Usage German
Pronounced Pron. MEHS-mu  [key·IPA]
Other Forms FormsMessmer

Meaning & History

Occupational name for a maker of knives from Middle High German messer meaning "knife". A famous bearer was Franz Mesmer (1734-1815), a German doctor known for his theory of "animal magnetism", which was eventually incorporated into the field of hypnosis.
Added 1/25/2016 by HL
Edited 6/20/2020 by HL