Van Meter
A Dutch-style surname meaning someone from or connected with a place called Meter.
The #4,281 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 37,176 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Van Meter is a Dutch surname built from van, meaning “from” or “of,” plus the place name Meter. In surname use, it typically points to someone who came from, lived near, or was associated with that locality. The second element is best understood as a geographic name rather than a common noun with a clear meaning in modern English.
History
The name is found among Dutch and Dutch-American families, especially in places shaped by early Dutch settlement. In English-speaking records it often appears as a fused spelling, Vanmeter, even though the surname’s sense is locational. As with many Dutch surnames, the particle van may or may not be capitalized or separated depending on family preference and record-keeping.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The surname is a good example of a Dutch name that preserves the preposition van, which is one reason it can look like a phrase rather than a single word.