An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Meister

by Friedrich Kluge

Meister, m., ‘master, chief, leader,’ from MidHG. meister, m., ‘learned poet, meister-sänger (poets who were members of guilds), mayor, burgomaster,’ OHG. meistar; OSax. mêstar, Du. meester, AS. mœgster. Borrowed from Lat. magister, which in MidLat. was applied to numerous offices. Comp. further Ital. maestro, Fr. maître, E. master, mister.