Bayer (surname)

Bayer is a surname with various origins. It occurs most commonly in German-speaking countries, where it can be either habitational (Bayer being the male German language demonym for Bavaria) or occupational (derived from the archaic German verb beiern, "to ring (a bell)", thus referring to individuals tasked with ringing church bells). Variants of the surname include Baier, Beyer and Beier.

In the English-speaking world, the surname comes from the ancient kingdom of Bernicia, in what is now southeastern Scotland and North East England. It is derived from the place name Byers, which in turn comes from the Old English byre, meaning cattle-shed. Related names include Byers, Byres, Byer, Buyers and Byris.