Surname Merg - Meaning and Origin
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Merg: What does the surname Merg mean?
The surname Merg originates from Spain and Portugal, and is a variation of the word mergado. Mergado is an old Portuguese term that describes someone who sells herring, which was a popular type of food in the Iberian region. The name is believed to be derived from the Latin word mare, meaning "sea," and the suffix -gado, which was used to denote someone who was in the fish business.
In contemporary times, the last name Merg is likely to be found in both Spain and Portugal, as well as in areas in which people of Iberian descent have settled, such as the Americas and Australia. This surname is usually pronounced with a hard "g" sound and is most often spelled with a single 'g'.
Merg is an unusual surname, and those who bear it often have an interesting story to tell about it. It likely originated from an ancestor who sold herring on the waters of the Iberian Peninsula many centuries ago. The individual behind this last name is sure to have had the determination and courage needed to make a successful career on the open sea.
Order DNA origin analysisMerg: Where does the name Merg come from?
The last name Merg is most common today in Germany, where it is found in many regions. It is also found in smaller numbers in other Germanic countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, Denmark and in the Netherlands.
The dictionary of German surnames, 'Das Deutche Namenlexikon', lists Merg as originating from four different sources. These are possibly derived from a German word meaning ‘to deal’, or a regional dialect for ‘to cut off’, or a similar meaning from low German, or from the addition of '-er' to the old German name 'Mergen'.
The Merg name is believed to have been in existence since at least the 15th century in southern German regions. It then became more common as families migrated from Germany either to neighboring countries or further afield, to places such as the British Isles, the Americas and Australasia.
Today, Merg is widely scattered both in the country of its origin and abroad. However, it is most common in Germany, and research suggests that most people bearing the last name are of the same ancestral line.
Variations of the surname Merg
The Merg surname is one of many surnames with multiple variants and spellings from various languages. The Merg surname originated from Germany, and is the spelling most widely used in the English-speaking world. Other spellings of Merg include Merk, Merks, Mork, Mergk, Murg, Merck, Mark, and Markg. While Merg is the only spelling legally recognized in Germany, there are some countries including the United States that accept all these alternate variants.
Merg is a patronymic surname, which means that it was most likely developed from the given name of the father of an original bearer. Although it is a German surname, an occupational name meaning “merchant,” it may have variants in other countries because the profession was likely spread to nearby regions. One of the most common variants of Merg found in the United States is Mork, which is derived from the German word “mark.” Other variants in the United States include Morkk, Murk, Mergk, Merck, Mergks, and Markg.
Many surnames developed from Merg, including Mergy, Mergger, Morgenroth, and Messersmith. These may have been derived from variants of the original surname or variations of other names related to the occupation.
The meaning of the Merg surname has not changed much over the years, but it has evolved in different languages. Today, Merg is considered an old-fashioned name, although many of the variants are still widely used around the world.
Famous people with the name Merg
- Felix Merg: German Actor, known for his roles in socially conscious films
- Dieter Merg: German Politician and Member of the European Parliament
- John Philip Merg: American Marine and Medal of Honor Recipient
- Kevin Merg: American Basketball Player
- Robert Merg: German Painter and Printmaker
- Roger Merg: French linguist and philologist
- Thomas Merg: German Philosopher and Historian
- Vera Merg: Austrian Actress
- Werner Merg: German chemist and Pharmaceutical Company Founder
- Wolfgang Merg: German Law Professor and Writer