The name Meyer has dual origins: it is primarily a German occupational surname meaning "mayor," "steward," or "tenant farmer" (derived from Middle High German meier or Latin maior, meaning "superior" or "greater"). It is also a Jewish (Ashkenazic) name originating from the Hebrew Meir, meaning "giving light" or "illuminating". 

Key Details and Usage:

• Origin: German (occupational), Jewish (Hebrew), and Dutch.
• Meanings: "Mayor," "leader," "steward," "overseer," or "bringer of light".
• Usage Examples: Primarily used as a surname (often in compounds like Bachmeier, Niedermeier), but also used as a masculine first name.
Synonyms/Variants: Meier, Mayer, Maier, Myer, Meir, Major, Moyer. 

Contextual Information:

• Germanic Context: Originally designated a village headman or a representative of a lord.
• Jewish Context: Frequently adopted by Ashkenazi Jews as it is phonetically close to the Hebrew name Me'ir.
• Popularity: A common surname in Germany, Switzerland, and among Mennonites in North America.