Family name origins & meanings
- German (northern and central) : distinguishing name for a tenant farmer (see Meyer) who also ran a local general store, which was typically the case in rural communities in the 18th century, providing a service for the community and additional income for the owner.
- German (northern and central) : possibly also an occupational name for a supervisor of small traders, from Middle High German hocke ‘street trader’ + meier ‘official’, ‘steward’.