The Messer Surname
  
 Name Meaning and History
   German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): metonymic occupational name for a cutler, from    Middle High German mezzer ?knife?, from Old High German mezzirahs, mezzisahs,    a compound of maz ?food?, ?meat? + sahs ?knife?, ?sword?. The Jewish name is    from German Messer ?knife? or Yiddish meser.

German: occupational name for an official in charge of measuring the dues paid    in kind by tenants, from an agent derivative of Middle High German mezzen ?to    measure?.

English and Scottish: occupational name for someone who kept watch over    harvested crops, Middle English, Older Scots mess(i)er, from Old French    messier (see Messier).