Byers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An archaic term for a person who purchases goods ; a family name borne by people of various origins
2. Old-fashioned word meaning a buyer or purchaser ; a surname found in English and Scottish families
3. A dated name for someone who acquires goods by purchase ; a last name carried by many people

Etymology: In Scotland and northern England, a "byer" (or "byers") was a cattle shed, a variant of "byre," which goes back to Old English "byre," meaning the same thing. The word is closely tied to "bower," from Old English "būr," a room or dwelling, so a cowshed and a private chamber once shared a root. The surname Byers, common in Scotland, most likely comes from someone who lived or worked by such a shed, though the exact origin of the surname is uncertain.